Haslington ($2.80), trained by Dan’s mum Denise, won the Open Handicap (1700m) with ease in the final lead-up meet before the Mount Isa Cup.

The New Zealand-bred galloper beat race favourite The Gallows ($1.60) and Grant Wiles-trained Kesthin ($26) comfortably by three lengths, in what was deemed an ideal test run for the Cup, according to jockey Dan Ballard.

“I thought that was a pretty nice barrier trial,” Dan said.

“I wouldn’t want to be on any other horse leading into the Cup.”

Ballard said that on Saturday was the lightest he’s ridden all year but was very happy with his mum’s old galloper who has now proved himself as a real stayer.

“He’s (Haslington) been genuinely really good. He’s an old horse that tends to get a bit fired up. Dad (Keith) has been trying hard to keep him more relaxed and I think all his hard work has really paying dividends. He raced like a true staying horse today. He was very relaxed and really strong.”

David Smith-trained Tabasco Force ($6) won the 1100-metre Open Handicap sprint on the nose after holding off a strong finish from Justin Bawden-trained Carry Me ($2.50), followed by Tanya Parry-trained Strumming ($21.00) in third place.

In the Benchmark 65 Handicap (1450m) jockey Aaron Spradau guided Jay Morris-trained Man Of Melody ($1.50) over the line first comfortably ahead of Miatoko ($3.70), and General Son ($12) by more than two lengths.

Justin Bawden-trained Leica Duel ($11) claimed the BenchMark 60 Handicap (1200m), beating David Smith-trained Masataka ($14) by less than half a length while Damien Finter-trained Shimazu ($18) was next in line.

Julia Creek trainer Tanya Parry notched the Maiden Plate (1100m) with Pumped Up Kicks ($21), ridden by Keith Ballard, edging Patrick Inwood-trained Encoronada ($2.20) and Shryn Gabriel-Royes-trained Ashlen ($4) by less than a length.