A strong pace and a deteriorating Heavy10 track made Saturday’s A$160,000 TAB Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill a test of stamina and toughness, and promising New Zealand-bred mare Be Real rose to the occasion.

The grey daughter of Iffraaj had made a good impression winning at Newcastle on November 2, but then finished only sixth when well supported in a 2000m race on a Good3 track at Kembla Grange three weeks later.

Trainer Brad Widdup was confident that Be Real could bounce back on rain-affected ground on Saturday, and once again the punters got in behind the four-year-old and backed her into second favouritism at $3.70.

Be Real was patiently ridden by Tyler Schiller and settled in the second half of the field as Morryl Moral opened up a big lead heading down the back of the track.

The chasers closed the gap as Morryl Moral began to tire coming around the home turn, and Be Real warmed into her work right in the middle of that group.

Good Banter, Be Real, Bullets High and Kenyada soon swallowed up Morryl Moral and surged ahead in the straight, and it was Be Real who found the most through the final 150m and edged ahead of the other three to win by just under a length. Bullets High finished second and Good Banter was third, completing a New Zealand-bred trifecta.

“I was pretty confident with her today,” Schiller said. “When they were going a good gallop, I knew she’d be strong late.

“We probably weren’t hoping for a track as wet as this, but she handles rain-affected ground well. She’s done a good job and quickened up well. I thought I was home from around the 200m.”

Be Real has now had 13 starts for four wins, four placings and A$198,825 in prize-money.

A full-sister to the nine-time Australian winner Sir Ravanelli, Be Real was bred by Chequers Stud and is by Iffraaj out of the Ishiguru mare Stardom. Be Real was a trial winner at Taupo in March of last year before being sold privately into Australian ownership.