Imported mare Igraine (Galileo) collected further black-type on Saturday when runner-up in the Listed Royston Hospital Hawkes’s Bay Cup (2200m).
Igraine, who races in the Trelawney silks, relished the step up in distance after a last start fourth in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham last month.
Jockey Samantha Collett settled Igraine in second spot on the outside of early leader Royal Ruby before hitting the front with 600m to go.
Despite running on strongly in the concluding stages of the race and fighting to the line, Igraine was nabbed in a head bobbing photo finish by race-favourite Felaar.
Trained by Robert Priscott, Igraine was purchased by bloodstock agent Paul Moroney on behalf of Brent and Cherry Taylor and has won five starts in New Zealand including the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m).
It is the second year in a row Trelawney Stud raced horses have performed well in the Hawke’s Bay feature after Richie McHorse won in 2018.
