Gingernuts is on an impressive upward plane with the countdown on to his Melbourne spring carnival targets.
A luckless fifth when resuming in the group one Tarzino Trophy (1400m), his return to Hawke's Bay yesterday ended triumphantly when he added the group 1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) to his record.
"He's an exciting horse and he's still learning his trade," said rider Opie Bosson, who won the group1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on Gingernuts last season.
The 37-year-old was at his brilliant best on the Iffraaj gelding at Hastings where he sat back before improving wide on the tail of one of his toughest rivals.
"I got in behind Kawi and he gave me a beautiful track into the race," Bosson said.