IMPRESSIVE RESUMPTION BY CORK

Relishing wet conditions and a class above her rivals, Cork (4 m Complacent – Little Bit Irish, by O’Reilly) produced an impressive fresh-up victory in the $30,000 Rating 74 1400 metres on Saturday at Tauranga.

Bolting in by nine lengths when winning her Maiden over 1600 metres last May at Matamata, Cork stepped up to win a Rating 65 2100 metres at the corresponding meet last year and extended her record to three wins from eight starts for owners Dame Sian Elias, Natalie Walker, Ned Fletcher & Hugh Fletcher.

Ridden by premiership leading jockey Michael McNab, who won five races a day earlier at Otaki, Cork circled from second last at the 800m, loomed like a winner turning for home and powered clear effortlessly to score by seven lengths.

“I was excited to be on her and although 1400 metres is short of her best she gave me a great feel and won very easily,” McNab said.

In the race sponsored by Happy 80th Birthday Doug Bennett Handicap, Cork ran 1400 metres in 1:33.9, last 600m in 40.1, and as second favourite paid $4.30 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote.

Although without a trial, co-trainer Pam Gerard considered Cork forward enough in condition to resume.

“She’d matured nicely for a good spell and although unable to find a suitable trial venue we had given her a few jump outs and she was very well to kick off with a bold showing,” Gerard said.

“She’d won here before, Michael (McNab) summed it up perfectly and she has a nomination for the Winter Cup.”

Selected by Paul Moroney and Ballymore Stables NZ at the Karaka 2019 Book 2 Sale, a $30,000 buy from Blandford Lodge draft of breeders Graham & Helen-Gaye Bax, Cork is from the first crop of Spring Champion Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) winner Complacent (Authorized), bred on the same Sadler’s Wells/Quest for Fame cross as proven sire Tavistock (Montjeu) and standing at Mapperley Stud.

Cork is a half-sister to capable dual winner Carlingford Bay (Atlante), from a family well known to the Moroney brothers through the deeds of Group One winner Mission Critical (Fantastic Light) and Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) placed Bocce (Foxwedge).

With all owners present to witness the victory, the spoils were collected by son Henry before his father Ned Fletcher spoke on behalf.

“It’s been eight months since Cork raced and Pam has given her the time she’s needed to come of age and I don’t think that a year ago we would have thought she could start a new season over 1400 metres and win so comfortably,” he said.

“It’s really exciting for us. We’ve never had horses that were any good in wet conditions, so it’s been such a lovely thing to come along to races in the middle of winter, when you’re looking for something, and to have that thrill.

“Pam is so good to the horses, such a good horseperson that you know what they need and give them the time and opportunity they need to show their best, so we love racing horses with you and it’s a great thrill.

“Michael (McNab) rode with such confidence and to have such an amazing senior jockey on the horse is a great benefit and I think it will help her going forward into the season.

“It’s a special thrill, too, because we’ve had colours on our horses for a couple of years that we haven’t been happy with.

“The original silks that my grandparents used, we had to get some digital colours made but they didn’t recreate very well in the tartan.

“So this is the first occasion that we’ve got something closer to the real Fletcher tartan. It’s a good start for the new colours.”

Fletcher also thanked the sponsor and the club for their kind hospitality and great stakes.

Cork was strapped by Scott Magee.