Quality Pencarrow mare Sleeping Beauty (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) secured her second stakes win with a tenacious and classy performance in Saturday’s $50,000 Listed Ultimate Ford and Mazda Tauranga Classic (1400m).

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained mare had previously won this year’s Group 3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m), and she had placed in three other black-type races including the Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) and Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).

Put in a prominent position early in Saturday’s race by jockey Craig Grylls, she cruised to a clear lead at the home turn.

The race developed into a desperate slog down the Tauranga straight in Heavy11 conditions, but Sleeping Beauty held on to her advantage and crossed the finish line two lengths clear.

Bred and raced by Sir Peter Vela, Sleeping Beauty has now had 23 starts for 10 wins, six placings and $238,437 in prize-money.

“She's kept up a strong gallop and really stayed on well,” Scott said.

“She's so versatile, she can handle any sort of ground. She's a really good horse, exactly what you really want in a racehorse

“The staff at Pencarrow Stud will get a great kick out of today. They all work hard behind the scenes and it’s a real team effort.”

Sleeping Beauty is out of the three-time winning Danehill mare Kailey Princess (NZ). That mare has produced eight winners from 10 foals to race including the stakes placegetters Prosperous Bid (NZ) (Carnegie) and Canny Princess (NZ) (Canny Lad).

Another of Kailey Princess’s foals, Sea Island (NZ) (Woodman) is the dam of the Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap winner Herculian Prince (NZ) (Yamanin Vital). The family also features the five-time Group 1 winner Shooting to Win (NZ) (Encosta de Lago).