Progressive Central Districts mare Kana showed her class in defying the early track bias to score an impressive victory in the Scenic Hotel Group Premier (1100m) at Riccarton Park on Saturday.

Through much of the earlier card, on-speed runners were largely featuring in the finish, but jockey Johnathan Parkes was undeterred and stuck to his plan when settling three-back on the rail with the Tivaci four-year-old.

Parkes looked to take an inside gap at the 300m which rapidly closed, forcing the Central Districts hoop to rebalance the mare, but once straightened she showed an electric turn-of-foot to bolt past pacemaker Belle’s Echo to score by one-and-a-quarter lengths.

Prepared by Awapuni horseman Peter Didham, Kana produced an impressive six-length victory at Trentham last start before making the trip south with next Saturday’s Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes (1200m) in mind.

“She’s really gone another level today,” Didham said.

“I did say to Johnny (Parkes) that they were winning in front but we can’t change our pattern, we have to keep to what we’re doing.

“I was getting a bit worried again because she gets herself into a bit of trouble playing around with her head and mouth, we’re still just trying to iron those kinks out but it was a super impressive win.

“I’m just so pleased there was a group of owners that bought into her, they had a bit of faith in myself so she’s done really well for them.”

Kana holds a nomination for the 1200m sprint feature on the final day of New Zealand Cup Week, and Didham sees further distance potential for the mare following her campaign grand-final.

“After this trip down here and we take her back for a spell, she might get up over 1400m if we can get her to relax,” he said.

Parkes was delighted to see the mare deliver in the South, albeit with the difficult run to the post.

“It was similar to last time I rode her at Trentham, we sort of had to weave in and out that day as well but once she did get into the clear air she’s been too good for them again,” he said.

“She’s doing everything right, hopefully she pulls up well and can come back here on the last day.”

Out of O’Reilly mare Tick Tock, Kana was a $65,000 purchase out of Landsdowne Park’s Book 1 draft at the 2020 Karaka Yearling Sales by Ian Middleton under his Exempt Bloodstock banner.