After several near-misses, Soriano is finally a Group One winner.

The Savabeel mare came into Friday's Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie with four thirds and three fourths out of 10 attempts at the elite level.

But she finally earned her Group one stripes on Friday, coming from well back in the field to win the weight-for-age feature.

"She deserves it," co-trainer Graeme Rogerson told Trackside television.

"The luck went her way but she's a great mare. Have a look at her record. This mare's very valuable now."

Soriano, by Savabeel out of Call Me Lily, is owned and bred by Denise Howell, who has worked with Rogerson a long time, and the mare has a strong connection to the Rogerson team.

"Denise raced her mother and the grandmother, our stable raced Just A Dancer (sire of Call Me Lily) and we raced Savabeel. It's just great," Rogerson said.

It was also a first Group One for jockey Rory Hutchings, who got further back than he expected.

"Nothing went to plan at all. She struggled for early speed and we ended up back which I wasn't really happy with, but the speed was on and I thought if we got a run she'd have a chance. Once she came out she really flew," he said.

"Denise Howell is like a second mother to me so I can't put into words what this means."

Soriano scored by a length from Woodville visitor Weregoingtogetcha, who looked the winner 200m out after getting some good breaks, with lightly raced mare Pondarosa Miss finishing well for third.