Group One winner back in business

Pondarosa Miss’ overdue return to winning form at Ellerslie showed she was in the right order to top up her record at the highest level in the near future.

The Group One winner of last year’s Gr.1 Easter Handicap on the course, she did exactly what was expected of her on Saturday by claiming the Coca-Cola Handicap.

A daughter of High Chaparral, whose half-brother (Lot 188) will be offered by Leanach Lodge at Karaka on January 25, Pondarosa Miss was making her second appearance after a disappointing two start spring campaign in Melbourne.

The five-year-old was also due a change of domestic fortune after she had finished a luckless eighth on her return in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic on Boxing Day.

“That was one of those unfortunate things that can happen in racing, but she came out of the race well,” trainer Peter Hollinshead said.

“She’ll run in the weight-for-age race (the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes) at Te Rapa next and her main target is the Auckland Cup.”

Third in the Ellerslie two-miler last season, Pondarosa Miss is a $16 chance for the March 12 contest following her latest success.

She sat toward the back of the field before improving across the top and the mare’s class was evident in the straight.

Pondarosa Miss had three quarters of a length to spare on Moccona Mist on the line with El Soldado three lengths further back in third.

“She picked them up easily and was just playing with them,” rider Trudy Thornton said. “There was a bit of speed on and she relaxed well. She picked the bit up at the half mile and did it nicely.”