Steven Ramsay and Julie Ritchie travelled down to Otaki from their Maungatautari base with Pencarrow Racing’s Julieta (NZ) (Darci Brahma) who cleared maidens in impressive fashion in the $7,000 Super Liquor Levin Maiden over 1600m.

The four-year-old mare was in a fresh state at her fourth career appearance having finished out of the placings in her first three starts. The daughter of Darci Brahma settled behind mid-field for jockey Darryl Bradley and was forced to race three wide with cover after jumping from barrier 10 in the 12-horse field.

At the 600m Bradley improved his position on Julieta and the pair raced to the lead quickly after straightening. Julieta was inclined to lay inwards down the straight but had already cleared away from the field and was able to coast to the line to win by 1.5 lengths.

“She actually won quiet nicely,” commented Ramsay. “She ran a tick over 1.36 and she drew wide, had to travel three wide then was five wide on the corner and had a tough run so it was very pleasing.

“She put two lengths on them in the straight. She was a bit green when she got to the front and drifted in a bit but the way she won you wouldn’t think that will be her last win.

“Darryl Bradley thinks she will actually get a trip and there is a $20,000 Special Conditions Maiden over 2100m at Awapuni on 10 January so we will set her for that now.”

Bred by owner Peter Vela along with Philip Vela, Mrs S C & S M C Murray & The Micaela Murray Trust, Julieta is out of Mareva (Zabeel) and is the only foal to race for the mare. Mareva is a half-sister to New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Shikoba (Chief Bearheart), a triple Group 2 winner.

Mareva is a daughter of Champion Sire Zabeel whose retirement was announced earlier this week. Zabeel has been the most influential sire in New Zealand since his sire Sir Tristram as the sire of 43 Group 1 winners. Zabeel is making his presence felt as a broodmare sire with 22 Group 1 winners out of Zabeel mares.

Julieta is by Darci Brahma – a Pencarrow Stud graduate – who is by Danehill, another of the most influential sires in Australasia. The Danehill over Zabeel cross is one of the most famous crosses in Australasia and has produced a number of sensational racehorses such as Atlantic Jewel.

A half-sister to Julieta by Champion European Miler Rip Van Winkle is catalogued at Lot 120 at the upcoming Karaka Premier Sale.

Deliciano (NZ) (Darci Brahma) finished third later in the day in a Rating 75 2100m event for Pencarrow Racing, showing a return to form after being out of the placings at her last five starts.