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Lucy Tanner’s faith in Heavens Keep was rewarded at Hawke’s Bay last time out with an effort that has fuelled a longer-term Group One dream.

The Awapuni horsewoman produced the son of Savabeel for his seventh career success last Sunday when he trumped a competitive Rating 85 field, with stakes performer Camino Rocoso finishing runner-up.

“I was confident the other day – he just needed to get a decent track,” Tanner said.

“He’s the type of horse that gets above himself if he doesn’t race so I had been forced to run him on wet ground.

“He’ll have another run in his own grade in the next couple of weeks and I might be getting a bit ambitious, but I would love to have a crack at the Thorndon Mile with him.”

Heavens Keep’s recent demeanour was another key indicator to Tanner that a return to winning form was imminent.

“His work had been tremendous and he’s getting harder for me to ride - the fitter he gets the worse his behaviour is,” she said.

Tanner also has high hopes the stable role can continue on Thursday at New Plymouth where To Sir With Love steps up to a middle distance in the Methven Tapware Supporting Life Trust Maiden (2000m).

“He’s still a bit fragile and you have to kid to him to keep him happy,” she said. “He’s taken a long time to mature.”

By Tavistock, To Sir With Love has run in the money three times from five starts and has consecutive third placings over a mile from his last two appearances.

His dam Imbudo is by Danehill out of the Group Three-winning Zabeel mare Sybeel.

“I bought the mother at a dispersal sale,” Tanner said. “I picked her up for $4500 and she was in foal, this horse is the result.”