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Mike Breslin believes Heni can make the next and most important step of her career in the wake of her latest South Island success.
The Awapuni trainer produced the mare to win for the fourth time at Riccarton when she claimed the Millennium Hotels & Resorts Premier Open on Saturday and complete a double for the meeting following her success on the middle day of the carnival.
“She always backs up well and it was a really classy effort,” said Breslin, who won the corresponding event 12 months ago with Salamanca.“I think she’s ready to step into black type company now. I’ll give serious thought to the Group Three race at Hawera and then back here for the Breeders’ Stakes in November.”
He was firstly referring to the Rich Hill Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes in early October and then the Gr.3 Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes on the second day of the New Zealand Cup festival.Heni kept company with the leader Saperavious to the turn and she dug deep down the straight for the seventh win of her 23 start career.
“She wanted to be right up there and she held on really nicely,” said rider Danielle Hirini, who had claimed the previous event on the Towkay six-year-old’s stablemate Glengoyne.Heni won by a length from the favourite and Gr.3 Winter Cup runner-up Platinum Command, who ran on well from last but without seriously threatening the winner.