Mauna Kea wins Gee & Hickton Thompson Hcp Group 3, NZ$70,000 at Trentham, 1600m.
Mauna Kea lasted gamely in track conditions he favours for his maiden stakes win and eighth win of his career.
He jumped away well to sit second just outside the leader and remained there to the 600m before levelling up to co-lead starting the home straight.
Taking over at the 400m he kept going strongly, looked to put them away at the 150m but had to dig deep the last 50m to hold on by a short head.
Jessiegee sat third (rails) at the 800m, needed a run from the top of the straight and got out at the 250m, went hard and lunged near the line for second.
Polly Grey was second last at the 600m, pulled widest into the home straight, still second last at the 200m then flew home for third. Dolcetto co-led turning for home and fought hard to the 50m but was swamped late to finish fourth.
