Pencarrow Stud mare Persuasive (NZ) (Darci Brahma) scored a tough win at Ellerslie on Saturday, leading home a stable quinella for Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.

Ridden by talented apprentice Sam Weatherley, Persuasive raced in fifth place in the Veterinary Associates Equine 1200 before racing to the front with a wide move around the home turn. She took a clear lead, then dug deep to hold out the late challenge of her multiple stakes-winning stablemate Secret Spirit (NZ) (Swiss Ace) by a nose.

The win was Persuasive’s fourth from 20 career starts. She has also recorded six seconds and three thirds, earning more than $75,000 in prize-money.

Bred and raced by Sir Peter Vela, Persuasive is by Darci Brahma out of the Montjeu mare Pertinacious (NZ). The mare has been represented by four foals to race, all winners.

Pertinacious is a daughter of one of the outstanding Pencarrow mare Sarwatch (NZ) (Jetball), who won the Group 2 Royal Stakes, Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes and Listed Soliloquy Stakes to claim the title of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year in 2000. She is the daughter of another Pencarrow star, the Sir Tristram mare Riverina Charm (NZ) who won four Group 1 events.