Winter track specialist Sleeping Beauty didn’t let a chance pass her by at Tauranga.

She revelled in the heavy going to bounce back to her best and win for the sixth time in her 13-start career when successful in the Aongatete Coolstores Limited Premier (1200m).

Raced by Sir Peter Vela, Sleeping Beauty had struggled in the opening two runs of her current campaign on ground firmer than is her preference.

“Her two trials before her first two runs were super and we thought she was flying, but she ran into a couple of tracks that were too good,” said Andrew Scott, who trains with Lance O’Sullivan.

“Sir Peter and (racing manager) Gary Cossey have been really patient. This was her first run for seven weeks, so that was a question mark, and it’s fantastic to see her back in form now the winter tracks are here.”

Sleeping Beauty was ridden by the stable apprentice Taiki Yanagida and he had the Rip Van Winkle mare in the hunt early and she proved superior in the run home.

“It was a good ride, he showed good judgement in letting her slide up to the leader so it’s good for his confidence,” Scott said.

“The weight relief was a massive help, with 52.5kg it brought her right into the race.”

Sleeping Beauty challenged the front-runner Temple Tiger 250m from the post and edged clear to win by three-quarters of a length.

Successful rider Taiki Yanagida

Trish Dunell

“I’m really happy. The four kilo claim helped her and she loves wet tracks,” Yanagida said.

Justacanta came from the back of the field for third ahead of Az Given, who was brave after challenging three wide before the turn. 
 

Video replay: Sleeping Beauty winning the Aongatete Coolstores Limited Premier (1200m)