Taranaki mare Shez Sinsational returned to form to take the group one Spring Classic (2040m) at Hastings on Saturday.
Shez Sinsational settled near the rear of the field for Opie Bosson, circled the field with 700m to run and outfinished Giuseppina and He's Remarkable in the final stages.
The Ekraar mare won three group one races in New Zealand and the Hollindale Stakes in Brisbane last season but was unplaced in three shorter races this season.
But up to 2040m for the first time in 2012-2013, she showed the staying form which took her to victory in the Zabeel Classic, Darci Brahma Stakes and Auckland Cup last season.
"I was getting bagged all around but we stayed strong and we got it right," trainer Allan Sharrock said.
"The other runs were to get us ready for this."
Bosson wasn't quite as confident in the mare leading into the race but was delighted at the way she finished off the race on Saturday.
"To be honest I was doubting her a bit after her last two runs, but last week Allan rang me and said the sectionals she ran (at her last start) were just as good as the winner," he said.
"When we went to go forward she was flat and I couldn't keep up and down the back I had to ease off the heels and I panicked a little bit and thought I had to get going because I had to go round a few.
"But once we were in the straight and balanced up she was too good."
Guiseppina, whose previous best form was at sprint distances, fought well for second ahead of He's Remarkable, with favourite Xanadu fourth.
NZN
