CORK TO WINTER CUP

Unbeaten in three course attempts, Cork (5 m Complacent – Little Bit Irish, by O’Reilly) was a stylish winner in the $30,000 Rating 75 1400 metres on Saturday at Tauranga.

Second-up from a spell and now targeting the prestigious Winter Cup (Gr. 3, 1600m) on 5 August at Riccarton, Cork had found the line from well back when resuming in the Tauranga Classic (Listed, 1400m) on 1 July at Hastings, and improved sufficiently for it.

Aided by weight relief to 55kg under promising four-kilo claimer Jess Allen, Cork remained in touch between runners before tracking up wider from the 700m and found plenty after sweeping up to lead around the home turn.

“It was a good ride by Jess (Allen), hands and heels in the straight, and the mare tries so hard,” said co-trainer Pam Gerard.

“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.

“That was my concern, that being stuck down on the inside could work against her and I discussed with Jess that the aim was getting her into the clear and rolling forward between the 800m and 600m.”

In the race named Punter of the Year November 4th, Cork ran 1400 metres in 1:29.4, last 600m in 37.2, on footing that held steady at Heavy9, and drifted in betting to pay $5.60 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

The Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (Gr. 3, 1600m) is a feature race on the first day of the Grand National Carnival, Saturday 5 August, at Riccarton.

“Cork has come back in a much stronger mare this season and now that she’s won she deserves a chance in a race that should suit her,” said Gerard, of the $10 fixed odds chance.

“We’ve handled her patiently throughout her career, but she’s now won four of her 14 starts, including a mile and up to 2100 metres, 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.

Selected by Paul Moroney and Ballymore Stables NZ at the 2019 Karaka 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 talented 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).

“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.”

Cork was strapped by Dalpat Singh.