NAMED after a purple gemstone, it is only fitting that pacer Amethyst has hit a purple patch of form this early in her career.
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Recently purchased from New Zealand by Hynash, Amethyst lines up on Wednesday night at the Bathurst Paceway hoping to score her third win in a row and second for new trainer Lester Hewitt.
The Art Major x Star Rhapsody filly was set to make her debut for The Rocks trainer Hewitt two Sunday's ago at Parkes, but failed to get the chance when the meeting was abandoned due to the state of the track.
Instead she began her Australian career in fine form last Wednesday night at the Bathurst Paceway, proving too good for her rivals.
Beginning out of barrier six, driver Isobel Ross worked forward, taking the lead from Hammertime Harley and Mat Rue. From there she was able to dictate terms and run the race to a nicety.
Receiving no pressure during the early stages of the race, Ross and Amethyst got away with an easy first half, allowing them to sprint away from their rivals and score comfortably by 4.3 metres in a mile rate of 1:59:5.
"Isobel was happy with her after the race, she did everything right and showed more gate speed than I thought she had, so I was pleased with that," Hewitt said.
On Wednesday stable driver John O'Shea returns to the sulky and with a similar draw in a similar field to last week, connections are hoping for the same result despite facing some handy opposition.
"She pulled up well after her run last week and I think she will improve from it," Hewitt said.
"There's a bit more speed inside of us this week, ideally I would like her to find the front, but it depends on what the horses inside of us do. I'm not too worried if we have to sit back and come with our run a little later."
The Denis Picker trained Ally Rogan could cause an upset, having run a nice third at Menangle last Saturday night. She lines up out of barrier two.
Also in the market is the sole second row runner Carrmar Times Up for Nathan Turnbull, who will have the option at the start to get off the fence and be nice and handy in the running lane.
The three-year-old filly has only had six starts to date and having already earned just over $11,000 in prize money, looks to have a promising future.
Although Hewitt currently has no grand plans for Amethyst, he is happy with her and hoping she continues to improve.
"Currently she is performing to expectations so I can't ask for more than that," he said.
Amethyst will go around in the first race of the nine-card program at 5.12pm.
