A gutsy win over a mile at Pukekohe on Saturday reaffirmed to trainer Stephen McKee that he has class mare Consensus right where he wants her before she tackles her next Group One assignment in a fortnight.

Unsighted since snaring her first triumph at the elite level in last month’s Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie, McKee was thrilled to see his charge show all her legendary toughness as she out-muscled local runner Seventeen Seventy in the concluding stages of the Lone Star Pukekohe sponsored open mile.

After enjoying a cosy run just off the speed, regular pilot Alysha Collett pushed the ‘go’ button on the mare as heads turned for home where she quickly strode up to challenge for the lead. Seventeen Seventy went with her and, for one brief moment, headed the mare. Group One winners don’t give in easily though with Consensus taking back the initiative in the closing stages to see off the challenge and score by a long neck at the winning post.

“She just keeps getting better and better,” said McKee.

“Like a lot of mares they tend to race better after Christmas and she has gone to a whole new level now.

“It was a gutsy effort dropping back to the mile and lumping 59.5kgs which is always a tough ask. She did it well and has pulled up nicely so I think she’s ready for Te Rapa and the Herbie Dyke now.”

The Gr. 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes is the feature event at Te Rapa on the 11th of February however McKee has plenty on his plate before then as he saddles up two of the favourites in tonight’s Listed Karaka Million at Ellerslie.

Star Treasure, who races in the same ownership as last year’s winner Xiong Feng, and Hasahalo provide McKee with a strong hand in the million dollar dash.

“They’re both well and I couldn’t be happier with them,” he said.

“It’s a tough race to win so they will need a lot of luck but I’m pleased to have the opportunity with them. I think the big advantage they enjoy is having raced at Ellerslie before which is a track that can trip inexperienced horses up.

“There should be a fair amount of pressure on throughout so if they can get an economical trip I expect to see them both there at the business end.”