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By Graeme White

It took Miss Twenty Twenty ($5 on TAB) a few more starts than her name suggests to win her first race and now that she has that winning feeling, it may continue at Tamworth on Monday.

The mare raced 24 times for eight placings before finally breaking through at a Sky 2 TAB meeting at Quirindi.

Miss Twenty Twenty (Ben Looker) lands the prize at Tamworth. Image by Bradley Photographers

She then followed up with an even better display claiming a Showcase meeting race worth $30,000 at Tamworth – and on a heavy track.

The five-year-old will face similar conditions in the TAB.Com.Au Benchmark 58 (1600m) with regular jockey Ben Looker aboard.

Traner Grant Allard said Miss Twenty Twenty had found perfect races to win although the step up in grade last time to salute at odds of $20 was a bit of a surprise.

“She didn’t really have too much wet track form before. It was a perfect ride by Ben to win on her last time and he will stay on after riding her three times for two wins and a third,” Allard said.

“I just think she has found the right races and is a very fit horse.

“The track was very wet last start and the meeting was called off after the race she won.

“Her fitness helped her through and it was a ten out of ten ride that helped her win.”

Miss Twenty Twenty now has wins at her 25th and 26th career starts drastically enhancing her overall race record for her patient owners which include her former trainer, Tina Rogers.

Allard came to train Miss Twenty Twenty when Rogers went to work for Godolphin. Her daughter, Holly, is presently undergoing her trial ride and is an apprentice to Allard.

“We have been a little surprised with how she has been winning and especially at her last start when those Showcase races are fairly strong,” he suggested. “She hasn’t gone two strides on heavy tracks before so to win on it was a good effort.

“She has been consistent and I have just altered her training a bit to keep her fresh which seems to be the key to her. The others got tired chasing her last start – she never quickened – they just couldn’t reach her on the very heavy track.”

The track was so heavy at Tamworth the final 600 metres was run in 40.43 seconds with an overall time for the 1600 metres of 1.43.8. The daughter of Denman has earned almost $21,000 at her past two wins for overall prize money of $54,000 which has substantially boosted her credentials.

Allard is Miss Twenty Twenty’s third trainer after she did her early racing in Victoria with Wendy Kelly: “The stars have aligned for her at her past few starts and it’s great for the owners who have had to be patient,” he said.

Meanwhile, Elusive Babbz is yet to finish further back than fourth in five career starts and is ranked highly for the Rapidclean Class 1 (1200m). Elusive Babbz has a win, three thirds and a fourth to his credit since commencing his career in November for trainer Aleacia Bennett.

The three-year-old resumed racing with a maiden victory at Muswellbrook then ran third at his following start at the same course.

Bennett has the statistics to back-up a strong showing by Elusive Babbz with her recent record at Tamworth almost faultless. Her past four starters at the course have produced three wins and a second.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Tamworth here