Connections of Kiwi raider I Park have been well and truly rewarded for their decision to undertake an off-season staying campaign in Sydney, with the Lauren Brennan-trained five-year-old scoring a dogged victory in the A$160,000 Myplates Handicap (2400m) at Randwick.
The son of Ocean Park was the winner of two of his 18 starts in New Zealand, but Brennan was keen to back her judgement with the progressive stayer who has now more than doubled his career earnings with his Randwick victory.
Ridden by Tim Clark, I Park was sent out a $12 chance on the back of a third placing at Canterbury.
Despite wanting to lay-in at the top of the home straight, Clark galvanised I Park to get the better of Le Troisir and Elle Hudson as New Zealand-bred gallopers filled the first three placings.
“It has taken a couple of starts but since he has been in Sydney he has just thrived,” Brennan said.
“He’s eaten up and is really enjoying it here. We have to thank Bjorn Baker and his team at Warwick Farm for hosting us. They have just been so accommodating.”
A $50,000 Karaka Yearling purchase by his Hong Kong owner Frankie Ting, the gelding was always earmarked for a racing career abroad.
“He’s Hong Kong-owned by Mr Ting and they wanted him to go to Hong Kong but there are very few staying races for him over there,” Brennan said.
“We made a plan to bring him to Sydney for some of the lower-rated staying races and build him up to 2400m.
“We didn’t have any grandiose targets, and this is what we came for.
“It is a really good result and he has thrived since he has been here. The plan was to go home after this run, but we will have to talk and see what happens next.”
By Waikato Stud stallion Ocean Park, I Park is out of the winning Sebring mare Star Bright and was bred by Warwick Jeffries and sold through Highline Thoroughbreds. – NZ Racing Desk
