Karaka Quinella in the Easter Handicap

Stakes performer Pondarosa Miss (NZ) (High Chaparral) achieved at the highest level on Saturday with a determined victory in the Group 1 $200,000 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie.

Pondarosa Miss (NZ) victorious in the Group 1 Manco Easter Handicap. Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

Pondarosa Miss won her first black-type race in her sixteenth start for trainer Peter Hollinshead. She is now a winner of five races, having previously run third in two Group 1 races, the Group 1 Zabeel Classic and the Group 1 Auckland Cup, the latter just two starts ago.

“We were rapt to win the Easter Handicap,” commented Hollinshead. “It’s the worst preparation I’ve ever given a horse – I had to run her in the Avondale Cup to get her ready for the two miles and then she’s come back to a mile.”

Reuniting for the Group 1 feature, Daniel Hain took the ride on Pondarosa Miss, having not ridden her since the combination fell in a race at the start of the season. After starting from barrier five, the pair raced mid-field as Allez Eagle (NZ) (Guillotine) took the lead.

Inside 600m, Pondarosa Miss found herself in a handy position behind Addictive Habit (NZ) (Colombia) who raced behind the pace-maker, and managed to push through on the turn for home to travel to the inside of Addictive Habit.

While Pondarosa Miss made a bid for home on the outside, Vespa (NZ) (Elusive City) challenged her and Allez Eagle on the inside. Pondarosa Miss stormed home for a compelling victory by a nose over the race-favourite and Karaka graduate, Vespa, and Kawi (NZ) (Savabeel) finished in third place.

“She will race at Te Rapa in the Group 2 Fillies and Mares race. After that she will go out for a spell for six weeks and then we will bring her back in and prepare for the Melbourne Cup, all going well,” adds Hollinshead.

The four-year-old mare has now earned a total of $235,935 in prizemoney for her owners SA Fletcher, DB & PG Hollinshead, CR & JR Hoyes, GR Hunt, WM Jensen, M McCullough, L & T Rophia, Mrs KM Scott, Three In One Syndicate & C Venn.

Bred by DB & PG Hollinshead, Pondarosa Miss was offered at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale by Esker Lodge.

The daughter of High Chaparral is out of unraced mare, Bak Da Princess (Danske), who is a half-sister to the winner of the Group 2 Waikato Gold Cup, Back Da Chief (Chief Bearhart).