Lady Bellevue wore down hot favourite Ruby Red in the closing stages of the 2 and 3yr-old 1200m, pulling away to win by almost two lengths, and the 3yr-old Dehere filly confirmed her previous trainer's opinion of her.
Lady Bellevue had two starts for Matamata trainer Lance Noble, and while the two ninths did not look flash in the racebook, Rudkin said Noble liked the filly.
''Lance thought a lot of the horse but he decided it would be best in the South Island,'' Rudkin said.
Rudkin's friend Mike Honiss had promised to send a horse he owned down from the North Island to Rudkin, and Lady Bellevue fitted the bill.
''I trialled it the other day [at Ashburton on March 27] ... it actually found the line nicely for third.
''So bringing her here today, I didn't expect that. I didn't think we'd beat Pitty's [Michael Pitman's] horse.''
The filly appeared to enjoy the sting out of the ground after and Rudkin will take that into account as he plans her winter campaign.
''From the looks of it, she might carry on with it,'' he said.
''The track was probably more to her liking, and a change of gear [helped].
''She's a horse that's been holding her breath. A tongue tie has made a big difference.''
As for Honiss, Rudkin expects Lady Bellevue has made his holiday even more enjoyable.
''He's down at Queenstown on holiday, so he's probably jumping up and down.''
