Waikouaiti trainer Amber Hoffman was ecstatic with her first career win at Alexandra Park last night.

The Otago horsewoman trained $5.10 second favourite, Break Dance, to win the 42nd running of the $20,000 North Island Breeders Stakes.

The 5-year-old Art Major - Wave Runner (Live Or Die) mare was driven by Jonny Cox in the Powell Transport sponsored time honoured event for 3-year-and-olderfillies and mares.

“What a wonderful feeling,” Hoffman said in the winner’s circle moments after the race.

“I wish we had more horses like her back home that we could bring up here. She’s the number one horse in the barn at present, even though she can be a bit of a head-case at times.

“I am so proud of what she has achieved tonight after a serious injury almost cost her racing career. I am so grateful for what Bernie (Hackett) and Michelle (Wallis) have done for her since she came up earlier in the month. This is their win too,” Hoffman said.

Driver Cox said Break Dance possessed a lot of speed and had a lot of bottom to her, but at the same time she had a few tricks to her game.

“We had to put the jaw breaker on her tonightbecause she hung real bad last week and it did the trick tonight. She’s a lovely filly who can only improve with better ringcraft,” said Cox.

“She’s very talented,” he stressed.

Break Dance was having her second look at Alexandra Park after finishing a two-length eighth in a 3-year-and-older trot last Friday.

Last night Cox settled Break In back in the field from their wide front row (8) draw and then landed her in the one-one at the bell.

In the lane they had just enough stamina to get past Jo's Dream and Andre Poutama by half a length.

Break In paced the 2700m stand in 3:24.5 (mile rate 2:01.8) and last 800m and 400m in 55.6 and 27.2. It was Break In's fifth win in 37 starts and she was the $5.10 third favourite.