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Zennista completed a memorable Melbourne Cup day for Wellfield Lodge when she successfully defended her Group Three crown at Ellerslie.

The mother to be is racing on borrowed time before the curtain falls on her career and she made the most of her limited opportunities to add a second Sofitel Luxury Hotel Stakes to her resume.

Zennista races in the Wellfield silks and is in foal to the Palmerston North farm’s resident Group One stallion Alamosa.

“Often that makes them feel even better within themselves,” trainer Lisa Latta said. “She’ll only be having one or two more starts, but I couldn’t be any happier with her.”

Zennista is a valuable breeding prospect as a triple Group Three winner and Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks runner-up.

She has been trained throughout her career at Awapuni by Latta, who is currently enjoying a break in Melbourne.

Zennista raced in second spot to the turn at Ellerslie before she hit the front 350 metres from home.

She was clearly headed in the straight by Abidewithme, but rallied gallantly under rider Mark Du Plessis, to come back for a short head decision with the favourite Soriano, who had her chance, back in third.

Zennista appreciated the Dead 6 going after striking firm surfaces during the Hawke’s Bay carnival.

“The tracks didn’t suit her and she likes the cut in the ground,” Latta said.

Zennista’s performance followed success for Wellfield at the Otaki meeting where their colours were also carried to victory.

Alamosa three-year-old Tiger Tim made the perfect start to his career for trainer John Bary with a debut win over 1400 metres.

He is out of the Group Three placed Zabeel mare Zatiger, who is out of a half-sister to the Listed Matriarch Stakes winner and Gr. 1 Caulfield Cup runner-up Laebeel.