Promising New Zealand-bred filly Krementz collected the second win of her four-start career with a determined performance in the Australian Trainers’ Association Plate (1400m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day.

The daughter of El Roca was unplaced in her only appearance as a two-year-old at Geelong in July, but she has made giant strides since. She resumed with an unlucky second at Seymour on November 17, then cleared maiden ranks in style at Sandown on December 6. Flemington on New Year’s Day was another step up, and Krementz was up to the task.

Well ridden by Michael Dee, Krementz repeated the front-running tactics that produced her maiden win at Sandown last month. She again dictated terms in front, kicked hard after rounding the home turn and refused to let any of her rivals pass her in the straight. She fought off the challenge of Ginger ‘N’ Pink and prevailed in a tight finish.

“That was very similar to Sandown,” Dee said. “She jumped well again and went to the front. She probably had to do a bit more work to get the lead today, but once we got there, we were able to control it.

“It felt like she didn’t have a whole lot left coming into the straight, but to her credit, she’s very tough, she tries hard and she really wanted it today.”

Krementz has now had four starts for two wins, a second and A$71,340 in stakes for prominent syndicators OTI Racing.

She was bred by Westbury Stud owner Gerry Harvey and is out of Cashenti, a winning half-sister to the Group Two-winning mare Riva De Lago.

Krementz was offered by Westbury Stud at the 2022 Ready to Run Sale, where trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr teamed up with Phill Cataldo to buy her for $70,000. They were suitably impressed with the filly and returned 12 months later to buy his full-brother for $80,000.

“She was up in grade today and had to improve, and she did that,” Kent said. “She was given a very good ride.

“She’s an improving filly. She’s still raw and immature, so it’s all ahead of her. We’ll see how she comes through this, but if we can give her another one or two while she’s in such terrific form, we will.

“Timing is everything – there’s a full-brother online on our website at the moment, so we encourage people to jump on board.”