Up and coming stayer Poser showed just how tough she is when producing a determined finish to claim victory in the Listed Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m).
The five-year-old Kurtis Pertab-trained galloper had swept through the grades with three consecutive wins to round out her early summer campaign before being put aside for a short break.
Having resumed with a tidy third at Avondale last month, the daughter of Ocean Park wasn’t disgraced when running seventh in the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m) at her next start.
Third-up for Saturday’s contest, Poser stripped in fine fettle and raced accordingly as she sat just behind pacemakers Leitrim Lad and Margaret Jean for rider Tegan Newman before being asked for her effort with 600m to run.
Poser joined Leitrim Lad at the top of the straight and the pair fought out a stirring battle that was settled in favour of Poser by a neck at the winning post.
Matamata-based horseman Pertab, who owns the mare after purchasing her off gavelhouse.com for just $500, was thrilled to see her pick up her first black-type success. Pertab had some insight into the mare, having broken her in.
“That’s a huge result although it was quite nerve wracking going into the race as I just wanted to make sure I had done my job as I had no doubts about her ability at this level,” Pertab said.
“She had gone a cracker at Awapuni last time on a track that was just a little too firm, so with the weather we had leading in and the Heavy10 surface, there was quite a bit of confidence in the camp.
“She has just gone from strength to strength and thrived during her summer break. Last time in was her first real campaign and as she doesn’t cope with the hard tracks, I put her aside when she was happy and without any issues.
“We wanted to aim for these types of races heading into winter and to get a win like today is very rewarding.”
Pertab isn’t sure what he will do next with the mare who is possibly in her last preparation before heading to the broodmare paddock in the spring.
“This was the race we wanted so I hadn’t looked too far beyond today,” he said.
“I guess some of those winter Cup races are on the cards, but we will let her get over this one before we decide.
“I think this could be her last campaign as we might just send her to stud in the spring.
“If she does do that then a win in a race like this is just fantastic and a great result for everyone involved.”
Bred by Waikato Stud matriarch Mary Chittick, Poser is out of the Pins mare Wannabe and is closely related to Gr.3 Lowland Stakes (2100m) winner Sahrhys and former well-performed Hong Kong galloper Flame Hero.
He is the 20th stakes-winner for Waikato Stud's Cox Plate winning sire Ocean Park.– NZ Racing Desk
