The tenacity of Pencarrow Racing’s Makarska (Keeper x Stanica) earned her success in the $8,000 Richardsonracing.co.nz 1400(m) at Matamata yesterday.

This was the Keeper mare’s fourth win from a career of 18 starts, trained by Ken and Bev Kelso. She claimed her first two wins as a three-year-old, over 1400m and a mile, and won her third race at the end of last year.

“It was a good gutsy win,” commented Ken Kelso. “She got back in the running and finished the race strongly indicating she could go further.

“I haven’t lined up any races for her at this stage but going forward into the autumn we should get some nice suitable tracks for her. She will definitely step up to a mile next start.”

Starting from barrier 5 with Michael Coleman, Makarska fell to the tail of the field within the first 200 metres. With eight lengths between the first and last, she continued to track towards the rear of the field until approaching the turn for home. The field bunched together as they headed for the home straight where Makarska made her move and picked up to race along the outside.

O’Reilly’s Gold (NZ) (O’Reilly) led the field from the start but felt the pressure on the home stretch as Pachenko (NZ) (Handsome Ransom) and Uncle Shayne (NZ) (Bachelor Duke) closed in. Driving to the very end, Makarska fought her way down the outside for victory by a long head over Uncle Shayne and Pachenko who finished in second and third place respectively.

The four-year-old mare has earned a total of $38,095 for Sir Peter Vela who owns her.

Bred by Sir Peter Vela and Philip Vela, Makarska is out of winning mare Stanica (Zabeel), unner-up in the Group 1 Avondale Gold Cup. She is a half-sister Rhythm To Spare (Pins), winner of the Group 3 RA Lee Stakes in Australia.

Stanica foaled a filly this year by All Too Hard, a half-brother to champion Black Caviar.