Zenno Rob Roy mare Cong’er produced a tough performance to claim her first stakes victory in the LR Westbury Stud Karaka Classic (1600) at Pukekohe Park on Friday.  She had put the writing on the wall with a front-running second at Ellerslie on September 8.

Cong’er (5m Zenno Rob Roy – Conifer Bay by Virginia Privateer) held off the late-finishing Noble Warrior (Le Bec Fin) to win by a short head at the Counties course.  “We are thrilled for the owners, they have been very loyal clients,” said co-trainer Dean Wiles.  “The mare has not had a lot of things go her way but Sam (Spratt) rode her beautifully.”

Raced by Carol and Geoff Vazey, the winner was a $25,000 buy from Te Runga Stud at NZ Bloodstock’s 2009 Karaka Select Sale.  Friday’s Listed victory has taken her stakes earnings to $84,000.

Cong’er is the 10th stakes winner for Zenno Rob Roy (Sunday Silence).  Shadai Farm’s Yoshida family shuttled the 2004 Japan Horse of the Year to Java Lodge in 2006 but the E.I. crisis prevented him covering a second book at the Matamata stud in 2007.

Zenno Rob Roy’s sole Kiwi crop of 30 starters has generated three stakes winners.  Before Cong’er, he sired the Listed winners Zennista (Wanganui Challenge Stakes) and Australian based Enjin Number Nine (MRC Manfred Stakes).