Cork continued her love affair with Tauranga on Saturday when extending her unbeaten streak to three on the Bay of Plenty track.
The daughter of Complacent finished seventh first-up in the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m) at Hastings earlier this month and appreciated the drop back to Rating 75 grade this weekend.
With the four-kilogram claim of apprentice jockey Jess Allen, Cork loomed wide on the turn, capturing the lead at the top of the straight and she was able to fend off her competitors to win by a length.
“It was a good ride by Jess (Allen), hands and heels in the straight, and the mare tries so hard,” said Pam Gerard, who trains in partnership with Mike Moroney.
“With the prior two winners coming down centre track, it appeared getting to the outside was the right path and Jess did well finding room at the right time after drawing barrier two.”
Gerard is now eyeing a trip south to Riccarton in a fortnight with Cork to tackle the Group 3 Winter Cup (1600m).
“Cork has come back a much stronger mare this season and now that she’s won she deserves a chance in a race that should suit her,” she said.
“We’ve handled her patiently throughout her career, but she’s now won four of her 14 starts, including a mile and up to 2100m, so she’s proven, versatile and importantly can handle heavy tracks, which we’ll likely get down there in Christchurch.”
Carrying the Fletcher tartan, Cork is owned by Dame Sian Elias, Natalie Walker, Ned Fletcher & Hugh Fletcher.
“The Fletcher family are very good supporters of Ballymore, and it’s great to have a mare like Cork that tries so hard and deserves her chance in the Winter Cup,” Gerard said.
“Harlech has been a flag-bearer for their colours in the stable, as a Group Two winner and triple Group One placed, and he’s quite forward in condition and should have some nice races to compete in next season.”
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