For the second time in just over a week, the blue and white hoops of Sir Peter Vela have been carried to victory in the opening race at Ellerslie.

The first race of last Saturday’s meeting was won by Marija (NZ) (All Too Hard), while this Sunday’s $10,000 Ross Reid Racer 1200 went the way of first-starter Balios (NZ) (Shamexpress).

Ridden by Jason Waddell for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, the three-year-old gelding raced in a handy position before challenging for the lead at the top of the straight. Fast-finishing rivals lined up across the track, but Balios dug deep to win in a four-way photo finish.

Bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd and raced by Sir Peter Vela, Balios is out of the unraced Montjeu mare Lycia (NZ) – a half-sister to the Group 1 winner De Beers (NZ) (Quest For Fame).

The third dam is Tristalove (NZ) (Sir Tristram), a daughter of the Group 1 winner Diamond Lover (Sticks and Stones), who in turn is out of the legendary matriarch Eight Carat (Pieces of Eight).