Lightly raced Encosta de Lago mare Goyescas hinted at a bright future in front of her after taking her second victory yesterday at Rotorua in the $7,000 Rating 65 Macmillan Accountants Rotorua 1400.

Trained by Jason Bridgman, Goyescas (ex Larrocha, by Danehill) has had five career starts, with her first two trips to the races resulting in unplaced efforts after tough runs, but the mare has since found her form and has won two of her last three starts, with a second placing in between.

Yesterday’s race saw her ridden at the back of the field by jockey Shane Dye – who also partnered with her for her first win. She had to work in transit yesterday, with Dye electing to improve her position during the race, bringing her round the field and wide on the turn, but in the straight she was impressive, racing determinedly and defying her 58 kilogram weight in the final stages to beat a line-up of horses by a head in a blanket finish.

“It was a game win after covering extra ground and it signals the ability she has,” commented Bridgman.

“She did it the hard way, coming from a near impossible position. She’s a beautiful mare and the best of her is yet to come.”

Purchased from Coolmore Stud as a yearling for A$280,000, Goyescas is a sister to the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes winner Rocha. Her dam Larrocha is a sister to the Group 1 VRC Derby winner Blackfriars, Group 2 winner Manton, and stakes winners Waterford Road and Lions Gate.

Goyescas is bred on the Encosta de Lago/ Danehill cross which has produced eight stakes winners thus far including her sister Rocha as well as Group 1 winner Aloha and Group 2 winners Merlene De Lago, Dan De Lago and Largo Lad.