Ash quit the ranks of non-winners at the mid-January Wyndham meeting last month and returns there on Sunday to face a number of other recent graduates in the Gold Chip final for trotters.

Trained by Nathan Williamson for his wife Kate and former landlords, Ben and Karen Calder, the four-year-old by The Pres was bred by Gay McClymont out her good mare Tamarix.

McClymont is a daughter of the late Lionel Given, best known for his deeds with Sapling, who won the 1977 Northern Derby, 1978 Messenger, 1979 Auckland Cup and was named New Zealand Pacer of the Year for the 1978/79 term.

Haakondahl, the dam of Sapling, is the fourth dam of Ash.

Trained by McClymont for much of her career, Tamarix won five times and has left the winners Larix, Given and Larch.

Williamson knew the family, had won races on both Larix and Given, and was the trainer/driver for two of Given's wins.

“I had Given for a while when I was at Ben and Karen's,” Williamson said. “Ben liked him and was keen to buy Ash.”

Offered by McClymont at the 2015 premier sale, Ash was secured by the Calder's Grinaldi Lodge for $15,000.

“He was physically weak but is stronger this year.

“That has helped with his gait, it's much better now,” said Williamson.

“He's still green but got plenty of upside.”