The well-bred Pencarrow racemare Esquina (Darci Brahma) scored a tough first up victory in the $8,000 Premier Equine Vets Rating 75 1400m at Ashburton today for trainer Jan Hay.

The Pencarrow bred and owned filly was resuming from a spell after her last-start win in May of this year. The daughter of Darci Brahma had raced in a fresh start once before, resulting in a win on debut.

Ridden by Kylie Williams, Esquina settled in the box seat behind the leaders in a moderately run race. The five-year-old mare was brought to the centre of the track to challenge the leader who had established a good lead in the straight. Clearly not enjoying the hard track in the run, Esquina’s will to win prevailed as she showed a strong fighting spirit to overhaul the leader to win by a neck.

“I was absolutely thrilled with her, she will improve with the run as she had not raced for a while and it was 1400m fresh up,” said Hay.

“She hated the rock-hard track, she likes the cut in the track.

“We will get through this race and worry about not jarring before we make plans for her.

“We were absolutely thrilled with Southern Pride’s run as well.”

Southern Pride (Reset), also raced by Pencarrow Stud, ran on well for fifth in the second race of the day at Ashburton after missing the start badly. She made up good ground and finished strongly to cross the line within three lengths of the winner and, like Esquina, will appreciate a softer track next time.

Owned by Peter Vela, Esquina has now won three of her eight starts along with two minor placings for earnings of $17,475.

Bred by Peter and Philip Vela, the mare is out of the UK-bred mare Encens (Common Ground) and is a half-sister to Epopee (Sadler’s Wells), dam of French Group 2 winner Testosterone (Dansili), along with the stakes-placed sire Ecomium (Saddler’s Wells). Encens is a half-sister to the Group 1 winner and Champion Sire Scenic (Saddler’s Wells).

Encens was sold by Pencarrow Stud to Kieran Moore Bloodstock for $55,000 at the 2010 National Broodmare Sale at Karaka.