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With her value already assured as a half-sister to stakes winners Tennessee (NZ) (Per Incanto) and Leedox (NZ) (Time Test), quality mare Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer) went to a new level with a first blacktype success of her own in Saturday's $100,000 Listed Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (2500m).

Heading an all-New Zealand Bloodstock trifecta in the Riccarton staying feature, Campionessa has now earned $151,635 for her owners the Te Akau Campionessa Syndicate. She was offered at Karaka 2019 for $70,000.

Campionessa was runner-up in the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) in her previous appearance, and she went one better on Saturday under a ground-saving ride by visiting Australian jockey Josh Parr.

Horses fanned wide coming around the home turn, but Parr stuck to the inside and drove Campionessa through along the rail.

She sprinted well and soon kicked through to take the lead, then dug deep to repel the late challenges of fellow Karaka graduates Aljay (NZ) (Rock 'N' Pop) and Jack Knows Best (NZ) (Ghibellines).

"That was a fantastic effort by the mare," Parr said. "Opie Bosson told me she would need my help to get the 2500 metres.

"I was mindful of that, not trying to get her wide. When the inside runs kept appearing, I just kept pinching each one of them. But I was still using petrol, so it was a very tough effort."

Campionessa has had 17 starts for six wins, three seconds and three thirds, and trainer Mark Walker sees her as a Group-race contender in the making.

"The ride won the race, so full credit to Josh," the Matamata trainer said. "It's good to have him here.

"This mare has run any number of second placings, so she deserved that. I think there is more in store for her and she will keep going on with it.

"She can come home now and have a freshen up, and then we might look at the Waikato Cup (Group Three, 2400m) later on. I think the first time we try her over two miles will be in the Auckland Cup (Group Two, 3200m) rather than in the New Zealand Cup next week."

Runner-up Aljay was bought for $10,000 as a weanling at the 2018 Karaka May Sale, then returned 18 months later and was knocked down for $39,000 at the 2019 Ready to Run Sale. His 16-start career has produced four wins, seven placings and $90,987 in stakes.

The third placegetter, Jack Knows Best, cost only $15,000 at the 2018 South Island Sale. He has earned $89,192 in a 36-start career that has featured three wins and a dozen placings.