In a captivating turn of events at the Group 3 Taranaki Breeder’s Stakes (1400m), Town Cryer, against the expectations of many, managed to stave off the late challenge from the multiple Group One winner Prowess.
Trainer Royden Bergerson, however, harboured a quiet confidence in his mare’s ability to excel, particularly with the track conditions favouring her.
Anticipating Prowess to be a formidable contender in the feature race at Hawera, Bergerson’s optimism grew upon learning that the track would be in the Soft range.
His six-year-old daughter of Tavistock, guided by rider Johnathan Parkes, established a steady pace from the barrier rise and seemed comfortable approaching the home bend.
Town Cryer resisted challenges from Darci La Bella and Mazzolino, surging ahead as Prowess launched a powerful late burst. Despite Prowess making a compelling bid, Town Cryer maintained her lead, crossing the line with a one-length advantage, with Mazzolino securing a respectable third place.
Returning to his old hometown, Bergerson expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It was great to come back to my old hometown and pick up the big one today.”
The decision to take on a significant challenge paid off, and Bergerson commended both the mare’s form and Parkes’s adept ride.
“As soon as she came into the stable as a two-year-old, I said to my old mate GV (Gary Vile) she was a Group horse, and he laughed at me,” shared Bergerson.
“She has just matured, and it was a great ride by Parkesy.
“I had been thinking I would send her to the Coupland’s Mile, but I might keep her back and aim her at something a little bigger in the North Island now.”
Parkes, the winning rider, acknowledged Bergerson’s preparation and the mare’s performance.
“Full credit to Royden as he had this mare spot on for today,” Parkes said.
“She looked amazing and trialled up really well. She pinned her ears back and fought hard.”
Town Cryer’s victory marked her sixth win out of 25 starts, accumulating just under $200,000 in prizemoney for Bergerson and her group of owners.
Co-trainer Roger James, handling Prowess in partnership with Robert Wellwood, acknowledged the challenging Soft 7 surface and expressed confidence in Prowess’s improvement in subsequent races, drawing a parallel to the All Blacks’ season opener.
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