The Pencarrow-bred and part-owned Dresse’ Par Joli (NZ) (Tavistock) got her six-year-old season off to a winning start in the $18,500 Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1600m) at New Plymouth on Friday.

The Rating 65 race was the first appearance since July for the well-related mare, who was allotted the 59.5-kilogram topweight but went down to 57.5 kilograms with apprentice jockey Amber Riddell’s claim.

Dresse’ Par Joli was slow to leave the starting gates and settled at the back of the five-horse field. She was detached from the rest of the field through the first half of the race.

But Riddell closed the gap on her four rivals coming down the side of the track, then saved ground closer to the inside around the turn.

Dresse’ Par Joli warmed into her work and drew up alongside the leader Our Giulia (NZ) (Savabeel). That pair pulled almost four lengths ahead of the rest of the field to fight out a two-horse war to the finish, and Dresse’ Par Joli prevailed by a head.

The Allan Sharrock-trained Dresse’ Par Joli has now had 14 starts for three wins, six placings and $56,365 in stakes.

Dresse’ Par Joli was bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd and is raced by Sir Peter Vela in partnership with Sharrock, his brother Bruce, and Dean McKenzie.

Dresse’ Par Joli boasts valuable bloodlines, being a half-sister to the Pencarrow-bred Maison Louis (NZ) (Super Seth), who won the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) in June.

The dam of Dresse’ Par Joli and Maison Louis is the Pencarrow homebred Cote D’Or (NZ) (Makfi), who herself won eight times in a 19-start career headed by the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m).

Cote D’Or is a half-sister to the Group Two winner Dolmabache (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), Group Three winner Pure Elegance (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) and Group Three-placed Les Crayeres (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice).

Their dam Our Echezeaux (NZ) (Zabeel) is a full-sister to Grand Echezeaux (NZ) (Zabeel), who won at Group One level and is the dam of quality racehorses and sires Darci Brahma (NZ) (Danehill) and Burgundy (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice).