Progressive mare Reputation kicked off a new campaign at Te Rapa on Saturday in fine style when she produced a fighting front running effort to claim the Maven Waikato 1300 (1300m).
The Pam Gerard-prepared five-year-old had signed off her four-year-old season with a creditable midfield finish in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham in March and was fitted for her raceday resumption with a 1000m open class trial victory on her home track at Matamata last month.
Apprentice Joe Nishizuka took her straight to the front from her inside barrier and dictated a steady speed before being attacked by Our Absolute on her outer and Charmer on her inner shortly after rounding the home bend.
Nishizuka didn't panic and kept pushing the mare along as she found plenty in the final 100m to hold out Our Absolute and the late-closing Keegan to score a gritty victory.
With Gerard in Christchurch putting the final touches on Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) favourite Savaglee, her partner and sable representative Tommy Hazlett was on hand to witness the triumph.
"Early doors she looked very promising and probably towards the end of her last campaign she ran out of luck on a couple of occasions," Hazlett said.
"She trialled nicely earlier on and I'm really pleased for Joe (Nishizuka).
"He's been having his ups and downs and has been doing a lot of work on getting his timing and his style right and he rode her really well.
"He deserves this as he has gone back to basics and it seems to be working."
Nishizuka was beaming as he accepted post-race congratulations, describing the victory as having gone pretty much to plan from the outset.
"She jumped out nicely and got the lead easily so I was waiting for something to come and lead," he said.
"Nothing did so I said I'm going to lead and she was cruising along nicely.
"I waited in the straight before asking her to go where she kept on kicking on.
"She is a very nice mare and will have a good season."
Carrying the familiar colours of breeder Christopher Grace, who also shares in her ownership, Reputation has now won three of her nine starts and over $95,000 in prizemoney.
