The 3yr-old daughter of Royal Gem lived up to her favouritism in the maiden 1200m, waltzing away with a 2-length win over Gallaru.
The filly had been a winner-in-waiting after running in the money in her first three starts, and jockey Robert Hannam eased her down as she made short work of her rivals.
Part-owner Liz Cullen, who races Resplendent with friends Gail and Kevin Hughes and Graham and Pauline Hutchison, said the win added to the Hughes' breed, which is highlighted by 1996 Villiers Stakes winner Touch Of Force.
Resplendent is the first foal of Embrace, whose mother, Touche Amora, is a half-sister to Touch Of Force.
''Gail bought her back because she was the first mare out of Touche Amora. She wanted to have a backstop. So this is her first horse - she's gone to the races and she's done the business,'' Cullen said.
Resplendent was one of two winners on the day for Wingatui trainer Paul Richards, after Suspend Us cleared maidens on the flat over 2200m.
A start at Trentham on Saturday was already in the mind of his trainer, Paul Richards, and the plan solidified after the Postponed gelding's win. The 5yr-old will keep travelling north and start in a $20,000 0-1 win hurdle as he looks to continue the form he showed over hurdles at Wingatui last month.
A start at the Grand National meeting looms for Authentic Paddy after his tidy win at Oamaru yesterday.
The Howbaddouwantit gelding sat outside the leader, Our Jackman, before getting the better of him in the straight to win by a long neck.
The win brought Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta up to 74 wins for the season and her South Island foreman, Marita Frith, said the first week of August at Riccarton would be in the gelding's sights now.
Frith was impressed with his efforts on the heavy10 surface.
''I'm surprised how well he handled it, because it's the wetter the better for him,'' she said.
Latta had her 75th winner later in the day through City Chic in the rating 75 1400m. She is eight behind premiership leader Michael Pitman.
Court The Toss is another galloper set for the winter carnival at Riccarton, although Broadfield trainer Brian Court might put the Danroad gelding over more ground than yesterday's win over 1400m.
''He's going to make a nice stayer,'' Court said.
''I would have probably started him over 1600m if the track was a bit drier.''
Court The Toss is the second winner out of Nureyev mare Bouquet Toss, with Urgent Bells (by Pentire) a six-race winner for New South Wales trainer Kris Lees.
