Apprentice Zac Spain has guided Nariko to the mare's second metropolitan-class victory of her preparation, taking out the opening race on the Ballarat Cup day program.

Nariko ($6), trained by Spain's boss Mick Price at Caulfield, sat three-wide near the pace in Saturday's Hertz Ballarat Mares Benchmark-78 (1200m) before kicking away in the final 200m to win by 1-1/4 lengths.

Miss Wahoo ran home for second, a nose ahead of Freehearted, third.

The victory was Nariko's third from seven starts this campaign, two of those at metropolitan level with Spain aboard.

“She's an honest little mare and she's going really well this preparation,” Spain said.

“She jumped with them and I liked the way she settled without cover today.

“I wasn't too fussed where I was because there was only one turn but she settled really well and she showed a good turn of foot.”

Nariko was bought for $45,000 as a yearling and Saturday's win took her earnings to just shy of $100,000 from 13 starts.

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