Richardson also won on the day with Copacabana, who fought back bravely under a good weight to win easily for rider Masa Tanaka.
"She tries very hard," said Tanaka. "I thought she might get run down halfway down the home straight, but she kept going strongly. It was a good win."
There was no more deserved win on the card than Taranaki mare I Do in the Rotorua Stakes after seconds to Burgundy then Testa Secret.
Waikato Stud's Mark Chittick and trainer Allan Sharrock decided to give the grey mare one more unplanned start rather than spell, her.
"She deserved that," said Sharrock. "She's so honest. She might not be as good as that other mare [Shez Sensational], but she gives everything."
Rider Jason Jago could offer no excuse for the failure of Fleur De Lune. Ten Belles, winner of her previous two, bled during the race and will take a three-month break.