The Geoffrey Curtale-trained Yenderra Evie ($2.30 favourite) was expected by punters to do battle with debut runner Kiki's Mom ($2.80) in the opening race of the Kennerson Park meeting, and that's exactly what they got.

Kiki's Mom got away beautifully from box one to take an early lead in Monday's Ladbrokes Back Yourself Maiden (307 metres).

Yenderra Evie had plenty of work to do after a sluggish start, needing to find a way through Ruby Sioux and Flighty Lass to have a chance of winning.

Luckily for Curtale's bitch the window of opportunity presented itself along the rail and Yenderra Evie was there to seize it.

She flew past the field to mount a challenge for the lead on the home straight.

Yenderra Evie swung to the outside of Kiki's Mom and hit the front with just several strides to spare, winning in a time of 18.08 seconds. Flighty Lass ($61) was third.

"She's been looking to go 450m or 500m and she's been getting a few runs over the 450m but drawing off the track. When the draw came through and she had two I thought 'I bet that's not over the 450m," Curtale said.

"We weren't sure if there was much hope over the shorter distance but she's done it.

"There's a couple of owners who'll be happy with that race. Mick Shea and his family are owners, along with Jacob Moodie."