It looked an intriguing contest on paper and the Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) certainly delivered with Quintessential (NZ) producing a late finish to claim the Group 3 at Trentham on Saturday.

The race also doubled up as the seventh leg of NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series and the winner earned six points to share sixth place on the ladder.  She holds a nomination for the G1 New Zealand Oaks on March 17.

Quintessential (3f Fast ‘n’ Famous – Florette by Sword Dance) settled at the tail of the field and on straightening set out after the leaders Abeautifulred and Capital Diamond.  She launched a late drive under Lisa Allpress to win by a nose.

The John Sargent trained filly was bred and sold by Trelawney Stud for $70,000 at the 2010 NZB Karaka Select Sale and has now won three of her five starts.  Quintessential is one of five winners for her USA bred dam Florette which, until now, has been headed by Sydney galloper Halfametreshort (Carnegie).

Florette is a half-sister to the North American stakes winners Garemma (Aqueduct), Favalora (Meadowlands), Vinnie’s Boy (Lone Star), Marilyn’s Madness (Atlantic City) and Shananie’s Wish (Shananie).

Quintessential is the first stakes winner for Waikato Stud sire Fast ‘n’ Famous.  He won the G3 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington and the LR Starlight Stakes at Rosehill.

Fast ‘n’ Famous is the latest son of Redoute’s Choice to sire a stakes winner following Stratum, Snitzel, Al Samer, Bradbury’s Luck, Duelled, Coat’s Choice, Not A Single Doubt and Nadeem.

Fast ‘n’ Famous has 17 entries in the NZB National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka starting next week.