By MIKE DILLON
Mark down a stakes win for Our Echezeaux.
The way she scored her fresh-up win at Rotorua on Saturday told everyone she is about to live up to her magnificent breeding.
Our Echezeaux is a half sister of fine mare Romanee Conti, the dam of Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal.
It's a long way from a 1-win race to group one, but don't bet against Our Echezeaux.
She could not win 200m out on Saturday yet scored comfortably. The secret is her temperament.
It's still a long way from picture perfect, but light years ahead of the fizz that hampered her as a 3-year-old last season.
The fresh-up victory was timely - part-owner Peter Vela had arrived back in New Zealand only days earlier after eight months living in Europe and was on course. "She's matured so much mentally," he said.
The New Zealand Bloodstock principal said Our Echezeaux would not be subjected to the pressure cooking she underwent in four starts last season.
She won on debut and two starts later found herself in the Royal Stakes on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.
"We then made a mistake - no, I made a mistake - and backed her up a week later on January 2 at Ellerslie," said Vela.
Our Echezeaux had slight heart strain, which trainer Leon Casey now sees as something of a blessing.
"She had a long break and it helped her both mentally and physically."
Our Echezeaux is subject to plenty of improvement because Casey brought her up to Saturday with a minimum of speed work to help keep her temperament in check.
Peter Vela has spent most of this year in Switzerland. He says he did not come back to New Zealand specifically for his company's Ready To Run sale at Karaka on November 18.
"In fact, I probably won't even be there. "One of the reasons I'm back is to go to the Rugby World Cup, which is at the same time, also to see how my daughter Patrea is faring in the company and to see our foals at Pencarrow."
Racing: Magnificent breeding thrust to the fore as Our Echezeaux wins fresh-up
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