Venus Serena made the step from age-group racing to the open-class mares with her win in the group 1 New Zealand Breeders Stakes at Addington last night.
The Geoff Dunn-trained mare was the dominant filly as a juvenile and again as a 3yr-old, but had still been finding her way in the aged grade - other than a win in the group 2 Futurity at Cambridge on Christmas Eve.
But she well and truly announced her arrival as an outstanding open-class mare with a tough win in last night's 2600m affair.
The daughter of Mach Three was hardly left alone during the race, having to ward off multiple attackers before holding out late bids from Willow and Pemberton Shard in the straight.
Otago-trained New Years Jay faded to sixth after moving round to sit parked with 1000m to go.
In the other features, Habibti Ivy capitalised on a sweet trip to win the group 2 New Zealand Trotting Oaks - matching her sister, Habibti, who won the 2013 version - while Ohoka Punter stacked up his rivals with some soft sectionals to win the Superstars Championship over a fast-finishing Dalton Bromac.
All Stars Stables pacer Have Faith In Me maintained his hot 3yr-old form, downing stable mate Follow The Stars during a home-straight battle in the group 2 Vero Flying Stakes and almost certainly grabbing favouritism for the New Zealand Derby next week in the process.
His stablemate, King Denny, overcame a slow start in the 4 & 5yr-old trotting championship to take the lead with 900m to go and held on to win after Prime Power and Majestic Time both broke in the run home.
