Masa Tanaka’s willingness to travel to continue his association with Kamada Racing has been rewarded with a black type success.

The Awapuni-based jockey combined with Kolonel Kev to claim the Listed The Craigmore Timaru Cup (1600m) on Thursday at the expense of Boots ‘N’ All and the topweight Tommy Tucker, who had won the last two editions of the race.

“They were looking for a rider at 53kg and I do ride for Kamada and I had ridden this horse before,” said Tanaka, who finished seventh on the son of Darci Brahma in last year’s Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) at Trentham.

Kolonel Kev was then prepared by Lisa Latta and he won five races from her stable before the six-year-old joined Terri Rae’s Riccarton operation.

Kamada principal Kevin Pratt’s decision to send the gelding south has been swiftly rewarded and he is unbeaten in two appearances from his new quarters.

“The horse is obviously thriving in the South Island environment and Terri is a very good trainer,” Tanaka said. “He’s always been a nice horse and he felt amazing today.”

Kolonel Kev settled on the rail behind the leaders and, once he had shouldered his way into the clear, he lengthened stride to score by three-quarters of a length.

“We had a dream run from barrier one,” Tanaka said. “We were three back on the fence and when Sam Collett on Vinevale popped out to sit outside the leader we had the trail,” Tanaka said.

“At the 600m Son Of Maher looked flat so I tried to push Chris Johnson out and we had a bit of a ding-dong, but my horse was going better and he was too strong in the straight.”

Son of Maher, who was sent out favourite, weakened out to finish fifth.