Smart Win for Pinova

Expected to win on debut back in October last year as a spring two year-old in the $255,000 Inglis Banner at Moonee Valley, everything went wrong for Pinova that day, but nearly 12 months on she’s now a winner after saluting at Bendigo on Wednesday.

Sent out favourite and partnered by Dwayne Dunn in the 1100 metre maiden, the daughter of champion sire Fastnet Rock travelled sweetly up on the pace and drew clear to win by a length for the Hawkes Racing team.

“That first time she got smashed and there’s been a lot of work done behind the scenes to get her back,” said Dunn.

“That was such a bad experience and she just needed to get her confidence back and have a nice time today, which she’s done.”

At her first start Pinova was favourite and led until being heavily bumped in the concluding stages and from that point dropped out to run last, finishing lame and broken, so her owners will be thrilled to see her back.

A $360,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Hawkes Racing from the draft of Widden Stud, Pinova was bred by Widden and partners and is a half-sister to Group II placed Straight Gold. She is the third winner from three to race for Group III winner Golden Delicious.

Golden Delicious has already foaled this spring producing a colt by dual Group I winner Star Witness.