STEPHEN Baster has extra reason to celebrate his birthday after riding I Love It to victory in race two at Ballarat on Saturday.
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The John Salanitri-trained four-year-old saluted by half a length ahead of New Zealand's Counted in the Easy Waste Plate, 1200m.
Having put favourite Danestroem under pressure early in the home straight, Baster (who turned 45 on Saturday) drove to the lead early and held on in the dying stages.
Owner Frank Salanitri said it was a well-deserved win given I Love It's history.
"We had a number of issues (over the spring) with her with barrier draws and everything like that," he said.
"We didn't get a run at Flemington, then going to Sydney she drew 16 from 16 there.
"To try and keep her fresh physically and mentally we kept sending her to the water walker and I think that helped her along."
I Love It has now won three races from seven starts.
RACE 2 RESULTS:
1. #8 I love it
2. #1 Counted
3. #4 Danestrom