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The connections of promising galloper Symphonic made up for an aborted trip to Te Aroha earlier in the month as she opened a new campaign with a decisive win at Pukekohe.

The O’Reilly mare’s southern based owners had been on-course at Te Aroha to watch her kick off her season that day but missed out when the meeting was abandoned after five races. Any frustration they felt would have melted away quickly on Saturday however, after witnessing their charge down a handy line-up of intermediate gallopers in the rating 75 Lone Star Pukekohe 1600 (1600m).

Settled towards the rear, off the back of a moderate pace set by local Swissta, Symphonic and rider Mark Du Plessis bided their time until well into the home straight before angling into the clear to make their challenge. Symphonic quickly hit top gear as she produced a driving finish to nab Swissta on the line with race favorite Shadows close up in third.

Co-trainer Peter Williams was philosophical about the mare’s late start to her campaign as he reflected on an interrupted preparation in general for the mare.

“We’ve just been held-up by the wet tracks and things like that,” he said.

“We had the owners all at Te Aroha the other day to watch her go and they called them off. We’re like most of the trainers in the area, we’re all behind due to the weather but with some sun on their backs in the last ten days the horses have improved out of sight.”

Williams is keen to retain a patient approach with the mare who be believes is ready to show her best during this campaign.

“She’s a lot stronger this year,” he said.

“I think you will see her in a nice cup race one day over a bit of ground as she’s just improving all the time. She did a good job last year, but she was a wee bit weak.

“She will go to the Auckland races over the Cup carnival where she is still eligible for the Dunstan Feeds Stayers Championship which is worth $100,000.”

Bred by Waikato Stud, Symphonic is from the unraced Danasinga mare Chorus and features multiple Group One winner Daffodil amongst her extended pedigree. She was a $330,000 purchase from the Stud’s Premier draft at the 2014 NZB National Yearling Sale at Karaka.