The Starcraft mare overcame the outside gate to claim Boxing Day's Wingatui
feature in a nail-biting finish.Man-of-the-moment Chris Johnson had ridden North Island-bound winners Sensei and Patrick Erin to success earlier on the card in stirring finishes and added another on Starvoia.
He had their supporters on the edge of their seats as outsider Timy Tyler flew home from the rear to push the $2.80 shot to a nose.
Mr Typhon claimed third with topweight Signify battling bravely for fourth after being forced wide throughout.
Johnson settled Starvoia back from her outside gate and was forced wide when making his challenge around the bend.
The big, strong 4-year-old kept on giving to gain her sixth win from 12 starts running the distance in 1:13.06 on a track affected by heavy pre-race showers.
"She's won on all types of going so the rain wasn't too much of a concern but she's definitely better on top of the ground," Karen Parsons said.
Her six wins have all come in the South Island and include three from three since returning from a spell in November.
Her black type success was well deserved after being placed several times at that level last season and she has earned her connections nearly $150,000 in stakes.
The trip away to Trentham for the Gr. 1 Telegraph (1200m) on January 20 isn't concerning her trainers.
"She's been down to Dunedin, to Cromwell and Invercargill so the trip won't bother her," Parsons said.
"She's a good traveller and is easy to do anything with.
"She had to win this race to keep the Telegraph on the radar and that's the plan now."
Starvoia is the 18th stakes-winner for Rosemont Stud's Starcraft and is from Charge Forward mare Savoia, a daughter of Group I South Australian Oaks winner Dowry. – NZ Racing Desk.
