The Pencarrow Stud-bred five-year-old Connection (NZ) (Keeper) gained an overdue victory on Friday in the A$15,000 Market Square Shopping Centre SV Maiden Plate over 2200m at Geelong.

It was a much deserved win for the son of Keeper who had placed at his previous five starts this campaign leading into Friday’s race, with nine placings from his previous 15 outings. As a result he started the race as favourite in the six-horse field.

Trained in Melbourne by Luke Oliver, Connection settled last in the small field but hit the front in the home straight and drew away to win by a decisive 4.5 lengths.

“It was an overdue win to say the least,” commented Oliver. “I think he has placed in 10 of his last 11 starts so to finally win his maiden is a reward of his owners’ patience.”

“He has shown staying ability, he is out of a Montjeu mare so we have always wanted to get him up to a distance and 2200m is the furthest he has run so the signs are positive.

“We plan to get him up to the 3000m races at the Moonee Valley night meetings through the summer.”

With only his first win at his 16th attempt coming on Friday, Connection has done well to earn A$30,245 in stakes earnings for his owners Mr M D Antill, Last Hurrah, Mr D G Alford, Mr R M Alford, Corner Inlet, Mr M G Goodsell, Mr J P Lawrence, Mrs G A Staines & White Lightning.

Bred by Peter and Philip Vela, Connection was sold at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale for $120,000 to Rogerson Bloodstock.

The dam of Connection, Pertinacious (Montjeu), is a daughter of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series winner Sarwatch (Jetball). She is from the family of another outstanding race filly, the four-time Group 1 winner Riverina Charm (Sir Tristram).

Pencarrow Racing has retained all of Pertinacious’ foals including the three-year-old filly trained by Andrew Scott that has recently been named Persuasive. Pertinacious was covered last season by Zacinto.