In the upcoming Group 3 Metric Mile (1600m) at Awapuni, the talented mare Cork, who recently achieved success during her southern campaign, will return to stakes competition.
Cork, a six-year-old mare trained by the partnership of Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard, has had a relatively light racing career, with just 15 starts to her name.
Despite this, she has shown a strong affinity for heavy tracks, securing four wins and two stakes placings, accumulating over $100,000 in stakes earnings.
After a convincing victory over 1400m at Tauranga in July, Cork headed south to Riccarton Park for the Grand National Carnival. There, she came close to claiming her first stakes win in the Group 3 Winter Cup (1600m), finishing a strong second behind Belardo Boy after making a remarkable late charge from the rear of the field.
Pam Gerard expressed confidence in Cork’s abilities, stating, “She’s a really honest mare, and hopefully, there’s a bit of cut in the track, with some rain around, and it’s a really good race for her, so that’s why we’ve targeted it.
“She was huge down in Christchurch and had a bit of a let-up after that. She’s come back pretty willing in her work, so she’s pretty spot on for something like this.”
Cork, the daughter of Complacent, will participate in the Awapuni feature as a potential lead-up to the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) scheduled three weeks later at Hastings.
Gerard mentioned, “She’ll head to Awapuni this weekend, so she’s unlikely to run in the mile (Group 1 Arrowfield Plate, 1600m) on the second day at Hastings, but depending on the track, we’re keeping our options open for the 2000m (Livamol Classic) on the last day.”
Additionally, Ballymore Stables will have a strong presence at other North Island venues throughout the week, with six runners, including promising gelding Mineshaft, set to compete at Matamata on Wednesday.
Mineshaft, a four-year-old by Merchant Navy, has shown great potential with three minor placings in his three raceday appearances.
Gerard commented, “Mineshaft was probably a bit unlucky last start; he’s going super, and given the right trip, he’d be very hard to beat.”
The stable’s three-year-old Juwala will also participate in the opening event at Matamata, and Gerard sees the step up in distance as a positive move for the gelding.
“He was thrown in the deep end with some pretty good three-year-olds last time. It probably looked worse than what it was, and he’s a horse I’ve got a bit of time for. Stepping up to the mile will be right up his alley.”
Furthermore, the stable’s chances include the lightly-tried Redwood four-year-old Fancy Like.
“She was very good last start; obviously, she’d had a wee way between runs then, but she’ll be fitter this time and won’t be too far from them.”
At Matamata, Candy Flip, Onlywords, and the Contributor mare Claimed Gift will also make appearances.
“Claimed Gift is a mare that’s taken a bit of time; she’s looking to get over a bit further ground, but she’s got a nice draw and she’ll put herself there in the race. We’ve been a bit held up trying to get trials into these older horses with the trials consistently being deleted, so unfortunately for her, she’s a mare that’s got some ability but probably needs the run for education.”
The Moroney/Gerard combination will also feature runners at both Tauranga on Saturday and Rotorua on Sunday, with Chancellor and the promising maidener Bubalina among the contenders at the latter meeting.
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