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Whatever the outcome of the Gr.1 Manco Easter Stakes on Saturday, it has already been a rewarding campaign in the North Island for the smart southern mare Soubrettes.

It will be the last roll of the dice this season for Soubrettes and, despite her having to cope with the outside draw, her Rangiora trainers Matt and Mandy Brown couldn’t be happier with her going into the Ellerslie Group One event.

Even more so the Browns are thrilled with way Soubrettes has developed as a racehorse during the three months she has spent based at the Byerley Park stables of Peter and Dawn Williams.

“She was a timid filly when she started off, but she’s so sure of herself now,” said Mandy Brown. “She was a bit delicate and that’s why we had to keep waiting with her.

“But this year she has improved a lot mentally and physically and since she has been up here in the north she has become a real racehorse.”

There has never been any doubt about Soubrettes’ ability.

The daughter of High Chaparral won on debut as a three-year-old at Washdyke and during the spring of 2014 she strung together a hat trick of wins, capped by an impressive win in the Gr.3 Stewards Handicap at Riccarton then followed up with a creditable fifth in Sacred Star’s Gr.1 Telegraph Handicap at Trentham.

During her northern soujourn the five-year-old has picked up $43,500 in prize money in three starts and, most importantly, she has added to her value by becoming a Group One and Group Two placegetter.

“It’s been a long time away from home with her, but it’s definitely been worth it,” said Brown. “We’re so lucky we’ve been able to stay with Peter and Dawn. They have been such a big help with her.”

Soubrettes started her Auckland – Waikato campaign with a third over 1200 metres at Matamata, then she flashed home for second in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie on Auckland Cup day before stepping up to 1600m for the first time in the Gr.1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha a fortnight ago.

She was beaten just over a neck in the Te Aroha fillies and mares’ event when third and did well to finish so close after a mid-race check.

A common occurrence in each of Soubrettes’ last few starts has been Perfect Fit winning the three races.

“She (Perfect Fit) looks an exceptional mare and we’re lucky we’re not running against her again on Saturday,” said Brown.

Through circumstances Soubrettes has had a different rider in each of her northern starts, but this time it will be back-to-back opportunities on the mare for jockey Mark Du Plessis.

“Mark has ridden her in quite a bit of her work and he has been very happy with her,” said Brown.

While Brown will be at Ellerslie with Soubrettes, her husband will saddle up the stable’s other runner this weekend, the exciting La Diosa, who will contest the Rudkin Racing Stables 2YO at Riccarton.

A daughter of So You Think and the 2003 Gr 2 Travis Stakes winner Star Affair, La Diosa won both her trials before scoring a decisive debut win at Riccarton earlier this month.

“She’s a lovely filly and looks pretty smart but we’re in no hurry with her,” said Brown. “There’s a black type race for her at Riccarton on May 7 (the Listed Champagne Stakes) and she’ll probably go out after that. We’re hoping she can be a 1000 Guineas filly next season.”