The syndicate, which races horses out of the Roxburgh stables of Geoff and Jude Knight, sold Expressionist to Australia in April, and set about finding a replacement.
The syndicate and the Knights did not have to look far, as Al Raza was being trained by Bill Keller at the Roxburgh track - often alongside the Knight-trained horses.
''She's a nice filly. We've had our eye on her for a while,'' Geoff Knight said.''
When Bill Keeler worked her with ours, he liked her and we liked her.
The sale was completed earlier this month, and Al Raza ran second at Ascot Park on May 11 on her debut for the syndicate.
She went one better last night as driver Matthew Williamson looped her round to the lead with 1700m to go and she strolled home by 4 lengths.
''She's tractable and she can race anywhere but Matt drove her tonight like she was the best horse in the race and that's the way it panned out.''
As a 3yr-old, Al Raza's next win will be penalty-free, and she has two months to claim that second victory.
''It'd be really nice to get a free one, so that's what we'll try and do and then come back next year as a 4yr-old.
''She's got a bit of strengthening up to do yet - but she will strengthen up.''
Right view for TagataeseTagataese's view from his box on race night plays a part in his performance on the track, his trainer, Graeme Anderson, revealed last night.
The 4yr-old gelding took care of the older horses to win the claimers' championships heat by two lengths.
But his behaviour as he returned back to the winner's area gave a hint about what Anderson has to deal with.
''Today, he couldn't see the track from where he was stabled and he went out last and Coxy gets on really well with him,'' Anderson said.
''Coxy'' is driver Jonny Cox, who brought up his 51st driving win for the season - equalling his career best - on Tagataese, doubling as a nice 30th birthday present.
Dam's record continuesBeyond A Joke continued a fine winning record of his dam, Beyond The Stars, when he won at his fourth career starts last night.
The 3yr-old son of Sundon is the fifth foal out of the Gee Whiz II mare, who won four races during her career in the early 2000s.
Bill and Shirley Stevenson, of Oamaru, bred Beyond A Joke along with Fineansunny (one win), Beyond Me (two wins) and Beyond Reason (three wins).
The Stevensons race Beyond A Joke with Bev Williamson, the wife of the gelding's trainer, Phil Williamson.
