Resuming after a four-month absence, Lucky’s Revenge (NZ) (Darci Brahma) was an impressive winner at Ruakaka on Saturday carrying the blue and white hoops of Pencarrow.

Trained in Matamata by Peter McKay and ridden by his son Shaun, the three-year-old filly took the lead at the home turn in the 1200-metre Rating 75 event and held on bravely to beat the fast-finishing Hunapo by a neck.

Photo Credit: Trish Dunell.

The win was the third from just six career starts for Lucky’s Revenge, who was rated highly enough to contest the Group 3 Mr Tiz Trophy at Ellerslie earlier this year.

“She put together two nice wins before we decided to take a shot at black type with her at Ellerslie but she just wasn’t herself that day,” McKay told NZ Racing Desk. “Some of my horses picked up a virus around that time and she was very listless for a week or so after the run, so I’m sure she was one who was affected by it.

“At this stage her spring options include the Group Three 1400-metre race on the last day at Hawke's Bay, or maybe another quick break before taking her fresh into the big sprints during New Zealand Cup week.

“She is going to be at her peak as a four-year-old, so we have time to plan the best option for her as I have no doubt she has the quality to be very competitive against the top grade.”

Bred and raced by Sir Peter Vela, Lucky’s Revenge is out of his six-time winning mare Santangelo (NZ) (Lonhro), who was stakes-placed in the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes. Lucky’s Revenge is her first foal.

Santangelo is a half-sister to the Group 2 Great Northern Guineas placegetter Kolonel Kev (NZ) (Darci Brahma).