Pencarrow filly Poinsettia (NZ) (Pins) got her racing career off to the perfect start with a debut victory in Friday’s $10,000 Gear Welding Services 1200 at Tauranga.

The John Bell-trained three-year-old was ridden by Shafiq Rusof, who positioned her in fifth on the rail. Angled into the clear at the top of the straight, she sprinted past the leader and scored by half a length.

Poinsettia was bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd and is raced by Sir Peter Vela.

She is the fifth winner out of the Zabeel mare Lafleur (NZ), who herself won the Group 2 Royal Stakes and Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic. Her other winners include Group 3 winner Amaryllis (NZ) (Red Ransom) and Listed winner Papilio (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice).

Other relatives in the high-quality family include the multiple Group 1 winner Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo).