Kiwi breds got off to a flyer on the opening night of the two-day Cox Plate carnival at The Valley, with the Luke Oliver-trainer Hunboshi (NZ) (Handsom Ransom) staving off the challenge of Tokorangi (NZ) (Redwood) in the A$175,000 Chef’s Hat Plate (2040m).

The Cranbourne prepared mare enjoyed a good run outside the leader and eventual third placegetter Ocean Miss (Ocean Park) and was galvanized under in-form jockey Blake Shinn to score narrowly.

The eight-year-old mare continues to be a good money spinner for connections, which include breeder Margaret Carter.

The winner of nine of her 51 starts with a further 12 placings, Hunboshi has earned in excess of A$400,000.

“I bred her and her half-sister Hunamosa (NZ) (Alamosa) who we raced before. She is by a very little known stallion in Handsome Ransom in New Zealand, but he is bloody tough and that is what she is.

“Before today she hadn’t won a city race and today takes her over $400,000 in prozemony. She is just my beautiful girl that I bred and I love her.

“Luke and all of the staff have done an incredible job.”

The portly Hunboshi will stay in training as she seeks to get closer to the winning haul of her half-sister, with Hunamosa the winner of 11 races. “Because she is so big, Luke just gives her two weeks break at a time because she comes back like Ten-ton Tessie. We won’t put her out.”