Lucky Fionn has broken over 1400 metres through in Hong Kong following a string of genuine efforts.

Formerly with Jamie Richards, the son of Per Incanto relocated to Ricky Yiu’s operation in the spring and was successful off the back of four minor placings, including three runner-up finishes.

He was sent out a commanding favourite and had no trouble justifying his short odds at Sha Tin in the hands of James McDonald.

We bred and sold Lucky Fionn for $40,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale and is a son of the late Keeper mare Diamonds Forever.

From the family of the famous Blue Hen mare Eight Carat, her immediate pedigree features the Group 1 stars Diamond Lover, Don Eduardo, Tristalove, Viking Ruler, Octagonal, Kaapstad and Marquise.

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A change of plan for promising filly Queen’s Evidence resulted in a stylish debut victory at Wingatui with southern black type features now on her program.

Our homebred filly by multiple Group 1 winner King’s Legacy was a trial winner at Ellerslie last month and then travelled to Otaki, only for the meeting to be abandoned after one race.

Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson then decided to send her further down the country and she justified the trip with a smart victory.

However, there was a major pre-race scare when Queen’s Evidence reared in the gates and had to pass a vet check to take her place.

“She seemed calm beforehand, but then she just reared up in the gates and got a leg stuck over the side,” rider Joe Doyle said.

“The vet had a good look at her and was happy with her, and I was happy with her too, and she’s gone out and performed very well.

“She was a bit green, changing leads a few times and having a good look around. But when I gave her a squeeze, she picked up very well. I think she’s got more ahead of her.”

Queen’s Evidence was untroubled to lead all the way to account for her rivals and will now chase black type in the Listed Welcome Stakes at Riccarton on April 12 and the Listed Champagne Stakes at the same venue on May 3.

“The beauty of her winning is that we’ve now got a bit of time before those two stakes races at Riccarton later in the autumn,” Bergerson said.

“We can get her home and give her a quiet week, which she really deserves, and take it from there. We’ve got a bit to look forward to.”

Queen’s Evidence is a daughter of the winning High Chaparral mare Enjay and was knocked down to Te Akau’s David Ellis for $220,000 at New Zealand Bloodstocks National Yearling Sale.

A half-sister to multiple Group winner Rolling Pin, Enjay’s first foal was our four-time winner and Group placegetter Familia and the dam is currently in foal to Hello Youmzain.

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Zormella has made a highly encouraging start to living up to her illustrious pedigree.

From a family we know so well, the Almanzor filly made late ground for sixth on debut at Tauranga where she didn’t relish the soft ground but on a good track at Pukekohe really showed her talent.

The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained three-year-old settled back of midfield before circling runners wide out across the top under rider George Rooke.

They strode to the front 350 metres from home and romped home by two and a-half lengths at the end of 1400 metres.

Zormella was bred by Craig Grammer and Brian Webb out of the Pins mare Marmella and is raced by the RNZ Frac Club & Surf Coast Racing and is

Mamarella is a daughter of our G3 Ladies’ Day Vase winner Zonza who has done a terrific job at stud as the dam of our G1 Queensland Derby winner Pinarello, whose half-siblings Vernazza and Bavella were also stakes winners.

Mamarella produced a filly foal last season by our up-and-coming young sire Hello Youmzain.