Breaking her maiden status on Saturday was Arpeggio (Tavistock x Macchiato) in the $7,000 Baileys National 7s-17&18 Jan Rotorua 1200 3YO MDN at Rotorua at just her second start.

The three-year-old filly began her racing career almost six weeks ago in Matamata where she finished an unlucky seventh with trainer Jason Bridgman.

“It was a good effort,” commented Jason Bridgman. “She had about 45 days since her last race and had a little setback which held us up a bit. We dropped her back to 1200m and she showed really good turn of foot which the Tavistock’s are showing, particularly in the sprint races.

“As a type I think she is a filly which will only improve with age.”

Rider Matthew Cameron sat Arpeggio mid-field throughout the 1200m trip and had to take a wide birth as they approached the straight. The last 100m saw Arpeggio sweep to the lead with ease to claim her first win by 1.8 lengths.

Snaptoit (NZ) (Patapan) and Who’s Queen (NZ) (Buffalo Man) set the pace but it was Massofdash (NZ) (Align) who took second place and Snaptoit finished in third.

“Matthew (Cameron) was taken with her performance and indicated there were more wins in-store for her.

“We will probably space her races throughout the autumn but she still looks to be about six-months away from strengthening,” said Bridgman.

This win has earned the daughter of Tavistock $4,375 in prizemoney for owner Sir Peter Vela.

Bred by Sir Peter Vela and Philip Vela, Arpeggio is out of winning mare Macchiato (Night Shift) who is a half-sister to stakes winner Filante Etoile (Soviet Star), winner of Listed Metropolitan Handicap and was runner-up in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks.

Arpeggio’s half-brother is Hard (Catbird), who won the Listed Oaklands Plate.

Stablemate La Adelita (NZ) (High Chaparral) also claimed victory later in the day at Rotorua with Pencarrow Thoroughbreds sharing in the ownership of the High Chaparral mare.