mmalone@dailyadver tiser.com.au

CANBERRA mare Ease Louise proved she could be in for a big preparation with a surprise first-up win at Wagga yesterday.

Resuming from a 206-day break, Ease Louise ran her rivals off their feet as she produced a bold front-running display to take out the Turvey Tops Office Smart Rating 57 Handicap (1000m).

An $8.40 chance on the NSW TAB, Ease Louise was rated to perfection in front by Bryan Murphy and held on to defeat the fast-finishing Tonne Of Glory ($6.70) by a head.

Murials Spirit ($15.80) finished a further one-and-a-quarter lengths away in third.

Canberra trainer Neil Osborne admitted the win caught him a little off-guard.

"I was pretty happy with her and I thought she would run a real bold race," Osborne said.

"She was still a fortnight away from her best though.

"I thought another fortnight then I would declare it.

"But she's come out and run a very nice race today."

Wagga trainer Wayne Carroll's mare Truly Dashing ($3.00) started a well-supported favourite in the betting ring.

Truly Dashing was having her first start since December last year, and being a maiden, was up out of her grade.

Truly Dashing, along with the Kym Davison-trained Keyedup ($4.40), were both well-supported but finished fourth and eighth respectively.

Ease Louise, a five-year-old mare, recorded her third victory at start number 18.

The mare has always had ability but has mixed her form, while also experiencing troubles with her knee.

Osborne said there were still a couple of wins left in her before she hit the breeding barn next year.

"I think she still has a couple of races," Osborne said.

"One day she got beaten a lip by Flying Along.

"I'm going to keep her to shorter races this time, I tried stretching her out to 1400 metres last time and while she gave every indication she would get it, she never seemed to run it out."