Grey mare Puketiro (NZ) (Savabeel) returned to winning form at Tauranga on Thursday when taking out the Stonewood Homes 1200 in front of a holiday crowd.
The five-year-old daughter of Savabeel was tackling the opening event on the eight-race card in a fresh state, having finished unplaced in her resuming run in the Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki in November.
Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson were confident of an improved performance second-up, and Puketiro didn’t disappoint, running down I’m All In to win by a short head, with stablemates Baronet and Not Straight Laced rounding out the top four.
“There was good speed and I was happy to sit off them. Once she got clear she let down and won really well,” jockey Craig Grylls said.
“Quite often they gain confidence out of winning and hopefully that’s a case with her.”
It was Puketiro’s first win since March last year, having undertaken an unsuccessful three run campaign in Melbourne, and her trainers were thrilled to see her return to the winner’s stall for her connections, which include breeders Christopher and Susanna Grace.
“It was great to see her return to winning form today,” Walker said. “She does go well on the fresh side and had worked well since her first-up run at Otaki.
“It’s always great to train winners for Christopher and Susanna Grace, and their green and gold colours have been carried by some very good horses throughout Australasia.
“We’ll keep her on the fresh side and find another suitable race.”
It was the sixth win for Puketiro from just 13 career starts, with the mare having now amassed stakes earnings of more than $108,000.
