The family of Pencarrow broodmare Huluava (NZ) (Pins) has produced a Group One winner this season, and it was in the spotlight again on Wednesday through an impressive performance by Pencarrow filly Branciforti (NZ) (Belardo).

The three-year-old was sent out as favourite for the $14,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1550m) at Cambridge, and she lived up to that pre-race confidence in impressive style.

Branciforti broke sharply from the starting gates and took up an early lead for jockey Sam Spratt, then settled in second and one off the rail after Wee Rhona (NZ) (Sweynesse) drove through on her inside.

Branciforti was travelling sweetly a long way from home, and she soon strode forward to take command coming down the side of the track. She had a clear advantage rounding the home turn, and maintained that lead all the way down the straight to score by a length and three-quarters.

Trained by David Greene, Branciforti has now had six starts for two wins, earning $16,940 in stakes.

Branciforti was bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd and is raced by Sir Peter Vela. She is by Belardo out of Huluava, who herself won three races and became an outstanding success in Pencarrow’s broodmare band.

All of Huluava’s nine foals to race have been winners, headed by William Wallace (NZ) (Darci Brahma), whose eight wins include the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) and Listed Timaru Cup (1600m).

But Huluava may have an even greater impact as a granddam. Her daughter Hirondelle (NZ) (Sepoy) is the dam of top-class two-year-old filly Pignan (NZ) (Staphanos), who won this season’s Group One Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

Branciforti is the final foal out of Huluava, whose pedigree page receives further boosts from her stakes-winning siblings Hasselhoof (NZ) (Tavistock) and Vercors (NZ) (Catbird).

PHOTO: Race Images