The Keith Opie-trained Ticket to Ride secured her fourth career victory at Counties on Thursday when taking out the Lone Star Pukekohe 1600.

There was an early injection of speed in the race, with four horses contending for the lead. After initially sitting parked, jockey Darren Danis pressed forward to take control of the race at the 900m.

Ticket to Ride went clear in the straight to record a 2-1/4 length victory over Rippin, with Tipical a further half a head back in third.

Opie thought his mare would improve from her fourth-placing at Ellerslie earlier this month and that proved to be the case.

“Auckland the other day was a really good run and I thought today was her race to lose,” Keith Opie said.