Premiership-leading jockey Warren Kennedy was the first to crack the 100-win mark for the season at Matamata on Friday when guiding Lightning Dream to victory in the Auto Super Shoppe Matamata 1600.

From her wide gate, Lightning Dream went back to settle towards the rear of the field for Kennedy before being asked to improve from the 400m and was presented wide at the turn where she continued to improve and ran out an eventual three-quarter length victor.

“From the gate (9) she really struggled early, so I left her alone and let her find her feet,” Kennedy said.

“She relaxed beautifully and finished strongly, and I think she’ll definitely get over more ground.”

Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson were pleased with the victory and were full of praise for Kennedy’s ride.

“It was a good ride of Warren’s to get her into the action from that far back,” Walker said.

“She’s made a really promising start to her racing career, been consistent before winning at her fourth start, and I think she’ll only improve with more maturity and strengthening as a four-year-old.

“She has the potential to make into a nice staying handicapper as a four and five-year-old mare.

“It was good to get the maiden win under her belt in the first campaign, and we’ll set her aside for a good spell now.”