Drew Kenna brought up his biggest win as Imperials Gem took out a NSW Breeders Challenge heat at Riverina Paceway on Friday.
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Utilising the sprint lane for the second time in her two career victories, the three-year-old filly had too much speed in the concluding stages for her rivals.
She went on to down the fast-finishing Jesszz Reflection to win by 1.5 metres.
The Narrandera reinsman was thrilled Imperials Gem was able to capitilise after securing the position behind the leader from gate two.
"She got the right draw and the right run and was able to convert on it," Kenna said.
"She sorta hit the front, pinned the ears and stopped, which she can do, and I was getting a bit worried with 50 metres to go that she might let them get back at her."
Kenna revealed he and his father Keith almost aborted her preparation after a third at Coolamon last month.
They are certainly pleased they persevered.
"It is really her first prep so we were thinking about spelling her a couple of weeks ago but with this on our back doorstep we thought we had better have a crack at it," Kenna said.
Despite qualifying for the $25,000 semi-finals next month and with a $125,000 group one final on the horizon, the 29-year-old was unsure if they will continue to progress through series.
He's weighing up whether to focus on some smaller targets closer to home instead.
"We don't know whether we will push or maybe freshen her up for one of the regional finals or something a bit easier than the semis," Kenna said.
"She will be pretty competitive in the semis but whether she is competitive in the final or just there to make up the numbers, even though she is improving all the time and really it is all you can ask."
They were the only local winners across the six heats.
David Moran had a day out with four winners from his five drives, including three NSW Breeders Challenge heats.
The Victorian reinsman scored the first with Lochinvar Art, who he trains with partner Laura Crossland.
The three-year-old clocked a mile rate of 1:53.8 in what looked a comfortable win for the group one winner.
He also picked up two heat wins for Emma Stewart.
The first was with the Leeton owned and bred Victoria Brew who defied plenty of early fireworks to win by a half neck.
Hardhitter wasn't on his best behaviour, and despite being the only horse on the second row was able to secure a false start.
He took advantage of it the second time around to down Rockin Marty by 3.1 metres.
Moran also took out the Go Girlfriend Series heat with Rocknroll Pearl for Gary and Debbie Quinlan.
He finished third with his other NSW Breeders Challenge heat with Dasha The Great who was 5.2 metres off fellow Victorian visitor Power Of Faith in the two-year-old fillies event.
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