FIVE FROM NINE FOR PETRACHOR

Renowned for her sturdy qualities, Petrachor (5 m Redwood – Mother, by Red Ransom) was tough as teak again when winning the $27,500 Power Farming Rating 74 1400 metres on Boxing Day at Awapuni.

Home in the smartest last 600m on the day (33.9) when snatching a last stride victory in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 9 December at Hastings, Petrachor stepped up in grade with aplomb.

Retaining the ride, Lisa Allpress was caught wide in the early rush before steadying behind the pace and while Petrachor appeared to a have reached a plateau in the straight she lifted tenaciously with a winning turn of foot.

“She never looked like she was going to win, but she never does,” said co-trainer Pam Gerard.

At her first course attempt, Petrachor ran the 1400 metres in 1:24.5 on Dead6 footing and paid $6.30 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote.

The richly coloured mare, owned by Gerry Harvey (Westbury Stud), recorded her fourth victory from nine starts and could give rise to a start in the Anniversary Handicap (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 16 January at Trentham.

“I watched the race on course at Ellerslie with Russell Warwick (Westbury Stud general manager) and he was stoked,” Gerard said. “He thought she went super and let’s down with a quick turn of foot.

“Lisa (Allpress) thinks she is probably looking for more ground, so we could look at stepping to a mile in the Anniversary. I’ll have a talk to Mike (Moroney) and we’ll come to a decision. She may still be in Rating 74 grade, so we’ll wait and see. The stakes race could be a better option than carrying top weight in Rating 74 grade.

“She’s beaten a pretty good field. Her work the other day was pretty smart, so good to know we’re back on track with her. Obviously, the blinkers have helped but also, too, a stronger rider.”

By Westbury Stud stallion Redwood (High Chaparral), sire of 289 winners including nine at stakes level, from an unraced mare, Petrachor is a half-sister to four-time winner Niobe (Niello) and winner Big Mama (Red Giant).

Petrachor was strapped by the highly credentialed local trainer Mark Oulaghan.