Ortensia has returned to winning form in the Listed Mumm Stakes

Class mare Ortensia bounced back into winning ways when she easily dispatched of the Listed Mumm Stakes (1100m) field at Flemington today.

Having her first start for new trainer Paul Messara, the Testa Rossa mare, whose last four starts where in Group 1 races, appreciated the easier assignment and never looked in doubt.

The former Tony Noonan-trained mare was going to be retired to stud earlier this year and went to Scone in readiness for a stallion.

Her owners had second thoughts and she landed with Messara who trains at Scone.

Settling just off the pace, Ortensia moved into the race at the 400m and under a hold by Darren Beadman never looked in doubt.

Ortensia drifted from $5 to $6.50 in betting but defeated Balmot ($18 ) by two lengths and Miss Octopussy ($7.50) a further neck away third.

“Everything went to plan today, she was all class,” Messara said.

“When you’ve got a horse for the first time you are always unsure before its first start whether you have done enough or too much.

“It’s a fine balance, especially with these older mares and trying to keep them happy, so that is what we’ve tried to do.”

Ortensia, a multiple Group 2 winner, was disqualified after pasting the post first in the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) at Randwick in April 2010.

She tested positive to a swab and the race was later awarded to Shellscrape.

Ortensia is on the trail of that Group 1 and will have a start in Brisbane before heading to New Zealand for the end of the year/New year carnival.

The New Zealand summer sprint double of the Group One Railway and Telegraph Handicaps is a likely target for Ortensia.