G2 Success For Savabeel’s Hinekaha

“I think she is a Group One horse.”

Taking up the running, which is not her usual pattern, gave the connections of Savabeel’s daughter Hinekaha their biggest pay day as the 4yo was all class in claiming the G2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.

A previous winer of the Listed Oaks Trial (1800m) last season at 3, the mare resumed this time in and after a first up fifth, has now put together three consecutive wins, culminating in her victory three quarter length win at Te Rapa.

With only a small field of seven assembled for the race, trainer Andrew Forsman was keen to see jockey Craig Grylls show some initiative which would see Hinekaha in a challenge position throughout.

After the jump, Grylls went forward from gate three and found himself in the lead with Electron and race favourite Qali Al Farrasha having to settle behind him which gave Hinekaha the advantage from the start.

When the corner was reached, Hinekaha was full of running, and while the chasers got close on the line, the Christoper Grace-bred mare had too much on her rivals to take the prize.

“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 Two 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 was effusive of his praise of the mare post-race.

“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,” said Grylls.

“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 One horse.”

The first foal out of the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) wining Fastnet Rock mare Hinerangi, Hinekaha has won five of her nine starts and over $232,000 in prizemoney.

Breeder and co-owner Christoper Grace isn’t a stranger to success with the progeny of Savabeel, having also bred and raced dual G1 winner Shilleagh, a winner of more than A$1.8m when part of the Chris Waller stable.