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Lisa Latta will be cheering on one of her favourite horses from afar when Zennista returns to Ellerslie to defend her Group Three title on Tuesday.

The Awapuni trainer’s Melbourne break will become a sweeter stay should her charge go back to back in the Sofitel Luxury Hotels Stakes.

“She’s been served by Alamosa and often that makes them feel even better within themselves,” Latta said.

“She’ll only be having one or two more starts, but I couldn’t be any happier with her.”

Zennista was in action in all three Group One legs of the Triple Crown series at the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival and after an encouraging start when a close and unlucky eighth in the Makfi Challenge Stakes, her form tapered off.

The seven-year-old wasn’t a factor on better ground in both the Windsor Park Plate and the Spring Classic.

“The tracks didn’t suit her and she likes the cut in the ground,” Latta said. “She’s looking really well and any rain will help her.”

Zennista will be ridden by Mark Du Plessis, who was aboard the daughter of Zenno Rob Roy in last year’s Ellerslie triumph.

They won the race at the expense of Soriano and the last-start Listed Rotorua Plate winner again promises to go close.

"She looks super and she's done everything right since her Rotorua win," co-trainer Debbie Rogerson said.

"She's back to weight-for-age but she's such a big, strong mare and you'd think she'd take some beating."

Mares would appear to hold the upper hand in the event with Zonza and Abidewithme, fourth and fifth respectively in the Gr.1 Spring Classic at Hastings, also having major claims.