Lightly raced mare La Adelita (High Chaparral x Romantic Liaisons) was the second part of a winning double for trainer Jason Bridgman and Pencarrow Thoroughbreds on Saturday in the $7,000 Rating 65 Rainbow Springs Rotorua 1560 at Arawa Park.

Stablemate Apreggio (Tavistock x Macchiato) was a winner earlier on the day at Rotorua for Bridgman, carrying the colours of Sir Peter Vela.

La Adelita, a daughter of Champion Sire High Chaparral, began her racing career as a three-year-old last season, winning her first race at Matamata followed by a second at Hawkes Bay. La Adelita was then unplaced twice before resuming with a win on Saturday.

“It was a good effort,” commented Jason Bridgman. “We stepped her up to 1600m for the first time this preparation on a good track which was key for her. She has a lovely turn of foot and needs that good ground to show it.

“Her two wins have both been very impressive and shows she has a touch of class. Ultimately it would be nice to think she can work through the grades to some black type degree.”

Matthew Cameron rode the four-year-old from barrier 8, settling fourth to last before making his move inside the 400m.

Dreamworld (NZ) (Thorn Park) was handy throughout the trip and took the lead before La Adelita stormed past to take victory by three-quarters-of-a-length. Dreamworld held second place and Diamond Edge (NZ) (Iffraaj) finished third.

“At this stage I haven’t got anything tacked down, just let the dust settle for a few days but she should bounce back and be at the races again in three weeks. We will work her through the grades and she will have another run at 1600m,” says Bridgman.

Saturday’s win was La Adelita’s second win from five starts, earning $11,750 for owners Dame Lowell Goddard, Pencarrow Thoroughbreds and Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM.

Bred by Justice Goddard, La Adelita is out of an unraced Danasinga mare Romantic Liaisons, a half-sister to dual stakes winner Secret Liaisons (T.V. Heart Throb), who is the dam of Reigning To Win (King of Kings), winner of 18 races including the Group 1 Smith Classic.