The talking horse became the performing horse at Trentham. Penny Gem went into the Captain Cook Stakes as a two-win horse who had attracted more publicity for her adventures off track than on it.
She had also been unable to come up with the big race win that matched her talent.Eight of her 14 previous starts had been in group races and last year she started favourite in both the Bayer Classic and Eight Carat Classic but was still without a stakes' win.
But she turned her career around on Saturday. The Pentire mare became a group one weight-for-age winner with a narrow but comprehensive victory in the $100,000 Captain Cook (1600m).
It was the high point of a big day for trainer Andrew Scott who won stakes races at two venues, with Sarah Vee winning the Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie.
Scott was in need of a boost following the controversy which surrounded the scratching of Penny Gem from the Kelt Stakes last month. He still has to face two charges under the serious offences' rule at an inquiry in Auckland on November 13 and with them comes the possibility of a term or suspension or disqualification.
"My spirits have been a bit low and this win is special," Scott said. "I have had a lot of support from people and the owners [of Penny Gem] have been wonderful.
"It has been a difficult period but we have got a big team in work and I have been really busy, which has helped keep my mind off things."
Scott has also retained his sense of humour, noting that Penny Gem was bred by Auckland queen's counsel Alan Galbraith, who will represent him at the inquiry.
Penny Gem's two previous starts this term had been in weight-for-age company in Melbourne and Scott had been expecting a big run on Satuday.
"Her work had been huge all week. She has shown glimpses of real brilliance and only good horses do that."
She will now step up to middle distance in the group two $100,000 Counties Cup (2000m) on November 23 and the group one $150,000 Avondale Cup (2200m) on December 3.
