Colin Harrison had a bit of a concern heading to Addington on Friday night with his promising pacer Its Official Babe, but he needn’t have been so worried.

The South Canterbury horseman wasn’t worried about a rise in class, or a first look at the Addington surface with his daughter of Art Official, but more whether or not she was actually ready enough to be a contender in a good field.

“She hadn’t worked very good last Sunday, she blew up over the back and then I worked her on Wednesday and there was a little bit of improvement,” Harrison said.

“But I was pretty concerned that she was underdone going into it.”

There was no need for concern though as Its Official Babe sprouted wings to come from near last at the top of the straight to run down some well-credentialed and more experienced horses in the process.

Stridemaster recordings showed that she ran her last quarter in 26.6 as she burst past Cruzy Dude at the 50-metre mark for Matty Williamson at odds of better than $35.

While getting over the shock of the performance, Harrison admitted that in hindsight he wasn’t surprised because he’s always had an opinion on the mare.

“She’s always stood out and we’ve liked her from day one.

“We’ll just keep chipping away with her over winter; she’s just going to get better.”

Harrison races the four-year-old with his son Jason and they bred her from Courage Under Fire mare,. Courageous Babe who they won a race with in 2008.

The pair, along with Williamson, weren’t done for the night though with enigmatic trotter, Tijuana Taxi getting the job done as well later in the night to give them all a double.

“To get a double is a thrill, but to get one at Addington is a little bit special, we were over the moon.”

Harrison has trained six winners this season, a personal best for the former Ashburton trainer and with two strong prospects to race through the winter months - the fun might not yet be over.