Kia Ora Stud's progressive 3-year-old Pierro filly Pajanti emerged from an 18-week hiatus to open her winning account in the James Squire Maiden Plate (1200m) at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Ridden by Tim Clark for Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, Pajanti was brave from the front to break her maiden at start four.
The I Am Invincible filly Kirragirl was a half-length back in second place ahead of the lone 4-year-old in the race Alvina's Luck (Zoustar), in third place.
"She has always shown good ability, and I thought she would win a maiden before today," Gerald Ryan said.
"Kia Ora has been very patient. She is an expensive yearling with a great pedigree.
"She is going the right way. We rode her back in a trial the first time. This time in, Tim rode her back again, and she only went through the motions. We got a bit more aggressive with her last trial. She is laid back, so you might have to stand over her.
"A couple of nice fillies races are coming up over the carnival, which we would like to aim at."
A $500,000 purchase for Kia-Ora Stud from the Sledmere Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Pajanti is a half-sister to the Group 1 NZ Two Thousand Guineas runner-up Meritable (Snitzel) and is the fourth winner from as many to race for the Encosta de Lago mare Crystal Flute.
Pajanti a $500,000 Inglis Easter yearling
A $1,400,000 purchase for China Horse Club from the Teeley Assets draft at the 2016 National Broodmare Sale; Crystal Flute is a sister to stakes-winner Precious Lorraine, Lucky Racquie, and stakes-placed Quench The Thirst, a three-quarter sister to Rubick, Manhattan Rain, and Echoes Of Heaven.
Crystal Flute’s dam Monsoon Wedding is a sister to Redoute’s Choice.
At the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, The Chase consigned a So You Think colt out of Crystal Flute, which was a $325,000 buy for Snowden Racing.
After foaling a Russian Revolution colt last spring, Crystal Flute was bred back to So You Think.
