In-form mare Sleeping Beauty (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) contested the $100,000 Gr.2 Dunstan Feeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes 1400m at Pukekohe on Saturday to claim a Group-performed result.

The six-year-old had scored an impressive all-the-way win in the open handicap Chesters Plumbing & Bathroom at Tauranga earlier this month, and on Saturday stepped up to Group company for the first time in the fillies and mares feature.

The Sir Peter Vela-owned mare was ridden by Sam Spratt from barrier 12 for trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and the forward runner set the pace. Battling that last 150m in a three-horse contention, Sleeping Beauty finished third a length behind the winner.

Sleeping Beauty has won eight of her 18 career starts, predominantly on rain-affected tracks, and has now placed in another five, earning $140,625 in prizemoney for owner-breeder Sir Peter Vela.