Bel Esprit mare Podravina (NZ) completed an outstanding day for the Pencarrow racing team at Pukekohe on Sunday when she won the $22,500 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1600m).

Earlier in the afternoon, Silver Cloud (NZ) (Testa Rossa) had made a highly impressive return to racing in a Rating 65 sprint.

Not to be outdone, the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Podravina fought back tenaciously after Fancy More (NZ) (Tavistock) appeared to have her beaten in the straight. With Matt Cameron in the saddle, she clawed her way back level with that runner and scored by a neck.

Podravina has now had seven starts for two wins, three placings and $30,810 in prizemoney.

Bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd and raced by Sir Peter Vela, Podravina is the first foal to race out of Posavina (NZ) (Tiger Hill), who carried the Pencarrow blue and white hoops to victory in the Group 3 Lowland Stakes (2100m).

Posavina is a half-sister to another former Pencarrow star, Rasa Lila (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who won seven races including the Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m) and Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m). She also placed in the Group 1 Easter Handicap (1600m) and Windsor Park Plate (1600m).