Patience paid off for Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams as Wrote To Arataki returned with a first-up Stakes victory at Caulfield.

The mare claimed her second Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) on Saturday after a spring preparation disrupted by illness.

It was the fourth time Wrote To Arataki had contested the Bellmaine, adding to her 2023 win when the race was run at Sandown.

Ridden by Dean Yendall, the $12 chance led throughout to score by a length over Damask Rose, with Bossy Benita a further 1¾ lengths away in third.

Williams said the mare had always been reliable, with last year’s campaign curtailed by a virus.

“We’ve never had a soundness issue with her,” Williams said.

“She had a couple of little viruses there in the spring and we just couldn’t get her back right, so we had to pull up stumps.

“The owners have been very patient and were happy to do that and we just set her for this race.”

Williams said Victoria’s mares’ program suited Wrote To Arataki, with the Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) and Group 3 Matron Stakes (1600m) likely next targets.