BRAVE MARACANA SCORES VICTORY

Stakes-placed mare Maracana bounced back onto the winner's list with a courageous effort at Mornington on Saturday. 

The daughter of Shamexpress overcame a torried three-wide run to hold off all challengers to score the win full of merit in the 1600m event. 

"She was there to be beaten, but she showed a tremendous will to win in the final 100m, it was terrific to see," assistant trainer Ben Gleeson said post race.

"She has had a lot of niggling issues so it's a credit to the staff at all our stables as a lot of work has gone into to getting her back racing at her best."

The win was the four-year-old's third at her ninth start, and Gleeson said her next start would likely be in a stakes race in Adelaide. 

"Off the back of that performance she deserves a shot at stakes level again, and we expect that she will improve further from today as well which bodes well for the rest of her campaign."

Pics by Racing Photos