Debutant two-year-old filly Rionach (NZ) (Darci Brahma) showed she had inherited the family ability when she produced a powerful home straight surge to claim victory at Avondale on Monday.

The Darci Brahma juvenile is the granddaughter of well-performed racemare Irish Colleen who has also left the multiple winners Killarney, Neeson and Australian Group Three winner Crosshaven (Smart Missile) and was bred by part owner Daniel Nakhle along with his father Elias.

Carrying the familiar teal colours of the Nakhle family, Rionach drifted back beyond midfield after a good beginning in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m) before rider Ashvin Goindasamy unleashed her in the home straight to run down Medina who looked the winner at the 100m.

Co-trainer Dawn Williams, who was watching on from at home as husband Peter put the finishing touches on their team at Avondale on the day, was confident the filly was mature enough to cope with the race day proceedings despite missing a trial at Avondale earlier in the month when the two-year-old heats were cancelled.

“It probably worked out alright after she missed that trial, although we weren’t thinking that at the time,” she said.

“She has had a couple of jump-outs at home and is a very sensible filly so we thought she would be okay having a start without a trial under her belt.

“Her brain is in the right place and we would have been happy if she had finished in the first four, so to get a win and take home the Pearl Series bonus is a wonderful result.”

-NZ Racing Desk