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Patience is paying off for the connections of Lady Zafira, who added a black type success to her record at Riccarton.

They enjoyed their greatest reward with the relatively lightly-raced six-year-old on Saturday when she reigned supreme in the Listed Yesberg Insurance Services Pegasus Handicap.

“I’m thrilled for her and for the syndicate and I have to thank my staff as well, it’s been a big team effort so this is very rewarding,” Hastings trainer John Bary said.

Previously placed at Listed level when third in last season’s Rotorua Stakes, Lady Zafira settled off a good speed and she was able to power home to post the fifth victory of her 23 start career.

“She’s best when she’s ridden nice and quietly,” Bary said.

The successful jockey was Mark Du Plessis, who executed the pre-race plan to perfection aboard the daughter of Iffraaj.

“That’s the best way to ride her,” he said. “She’ll get confidence from this as well.”

Lady Zafira appreciated the good speed in the race and she lengthened stride impressively in the closing 250 metres to spoil the southern party for local trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman.

The father and son combination had to settle for the minor placings with Kinagat taking second ahead of Coup Darci Be and First Serve.

The latter was sent out a less than even money favourite and she was given every chance in behind the pace by rider Samantha Wynne, but the four-year-old was unable to round off her effort in the straight.