Hinekaha takes near step with impressive all-the-way victory at Te Rapa

Hinekaha and Craig Grylls were never headed in the Cal Isuzu Stakes at Te Rapa. Photo / Kenton Wright

A change of tactics that took promising mare Hinekaha straight to the front from barrier rise paved the way for her biggest success when she scored a game win in the Group 2 Cal Isuzu Stakes at Te Rapa.

The lightly-raced four-year-old daughter of Savabeel had not led in any of her previous eight starts but trainer Andrew Forsman was keen to see rider Craig Grylls take the initiative from the start in the seven-horse line-up.

“I spoke to Craig and we thought the logical thing would be for Electron to lead,” Forsman said.

“I thought if we hand up and they find their spots too quickly, we don’t want to be caught in a situation where it is a sit and sprint home.

“We really wanted to make it a strong-run mile, which would suit her a lot better than the others.”

Grylls followed those instructions to the letter, as he had Hinekaha trucking along nicely in front under her own steam, with Electron and race favourite Qali Al Farrasha forced to chase him every step of the way.

It was evident that Grylls had a lapful of horse turning for home and when he pressed the go button, Hinekaha bounded clear to establish a winning three-length break with 250m to run.

Although tiring as the winning post loomed, Hinekaha held out strong late runs from Queen Zou and Jaarffi to register her second victory in stakes company.

“She will get better as she strengthens and matures, but she has come on in leaps and bounds in this prep,” Forsman said.

“She really has developed and has a lot of class as she has only had the nine starts and is now a Group 2 winner.

“We have always rated her highly, but we just had to stop at the right times and back off her as a three-year-old.

“Christopher and Susanna [Grace, owners] are just so patient to let us do that and it has worked for her.

“We will just enjoy today now and then start looking at where to next.”

Grylls made no doubt of the high regard he has for the mare.

“She was comfortable and pre-race we weren’t that sure what to do with the small field as it could have got a bit muddly,” he said.

“She had been beginning well and Andrew said if she began well, to let her roll along.

“I have had faith in her right from the first day and while she is still maturing and is only going to get better, she had plenty more in the tank.

“I thought she might be coming to the end of it but when I asked her she went again as she is tough and gritty.

“I think she is a Group 1 horse.”

Bred by co-owner Christoper Grace, Hinekaha is the first foal out of Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) winner Hinerangi and has now won five of her nine starts and over $232,000 in prizemoney.

– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk