CHAMPION Songbird plucked another cheque and registered another win, taking the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel last Saturday at Santa Anita. Owned by Fox Hill Farm, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Mike Smith, the daughter of Medaglia D’Oro skipped to the lead and once again never looked back, sauntering to a three and three-quarter length victory over eight overmatched rivals.

Smith actually had to do something this time, nudging her away from the gate and to the lead. He sat stone still – like turning on the tap and then taking a seat at the bar – from that point forward.