A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets

Co-trainer Nathan Delany prescribed a rest day today for both Spiritual Bliss and her driver Harrison Orange after their energy-sapping win at Manawatu on Tuesday night.

Having her first start for Lincoln Farms, after being in the stable for little more than a week, Spritual Bliss cleared out to a three-length win to register just her third win in 40 starts.

But while the judge wasn’t tested, and the photo finish shows Orange looking down as if winning in his sleep, it actually reflected just how exhausting the mare had been to drive.

Virtually from the moment Orange manouevred Spiritual Bliss through from the second row to the perfect one-one trail, she started pulling.

And when he launched as far as 800 metres out, it was simply because he couldn’t hold her any longer.

“Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell.

“He did well to hold her for so long and I’ve told him to relax today.”

Delanay said while Spritual Bliss goes up a grade on Thursday night, and meets some nice horses, he believes she’ll be a good chance again, this time from a good front row draw.

The mare’s winning mile rate alone would back that up - she paced 1:59.9 for 2500 metres compared with the 2:00.5 it took the R41 to R46 horses to run the shorter 2000 metres.

“She tries hard and really digs in and if she does that again you couldn’t count her out.”

The win gave an instant return for Spiritual Bliss’ breeder Dave Phillips, who moved the horse north after her lease to David Beckingsale expired.

The Russian-based Phillips bred the Always B Miki five-year-old from the speedy Spirit And Desire who won 14 races, including three in Australia.

The win by Spritual Bliss continued a good run of form for Lincoln Farms in the CD where in a magic two months last year it notched eight wins and banked nearly $80,000.

But Delany isn’t confident with Lincoln Farms’ two other runners on the second night of the meeting.

Lincoln Downs did everything right when fourth on Tuesday night, benefitting from a good Jacob Dunn steer ,who got her off the fence early and into the one-one.

The filly only battled into fourth, however, Delany reporting she blew heavily afterwards.

“The heat got to her, it was very hot down here yesterday.”

Lincoln Maree’s race on Tuesday was basically history before she even started.

Driver Andre Poutama was granted permission to fit a shadow roll before the start after the filly tried to jump shadows in her preliminary but she still broke in the score-up and again 1750 metres out.

Lincoln Maree should benefit from a later race on Thursday night - instead of the opener, which was run at 4.17pm, she lines up in the last race at 8.22pm when the shadows have gone.

“But she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”