Maryore smashes rivals in Provincial Championships Final
THE Provincial Championships Final went to Canberra as Maryore gave its rivals a galloping lesson for trainer Philip Courtney.
The five-year-old mare turned around some average form with a win last start to qualify for the $400,000 feature, and it made things look easy at Randwick on Saturday with a stunning victory down the outside of runners.
It was not fancied in the betting at $29 with Sportsbet, but the daughter of Onemorenomore relished the conditions and gave its connections the biggest thrill of their career.
“I thought it was a terrific win, I was jumping up and down too much to enjoy it but as soon as she got to the front I knew it was over,” Courtney said.
“I thought she was really good and I thought she would run the same as she had at Goulburn and it has been proven.”
Courtney isn’t the biggest trainer going around – training only around eight after considering horse racing a hobby in the early years.
“I have been training for about five years but mostly as a hobby until the last 12 months and I do it full time now and have eight in work, this is a shot in the arm for us I can guarantee you,” Courtney said.
“At this stage it has paid off and you know what it is like there is lots of highs and lots of lows.
“The heat was our biggest win before today and these provincials have been very good for us, we will go home and have a look what to do with her, I don’t like to make decisions on the day I am usually too excited.”
The win at Goulburn to qualify for the race was a good indicator of what it can produce when it’s on its game and Courtney said the bigger Randwick track was ideal.
“I think as long as it was a big track it didn’t matter as her pattern is to get back and she needs to finish off so the big track was the key for going to Kembla Grange but Goulburn has a long straight and it suited her anyway,” he said.
Jockey Tim Clark allowed Maryore to find its feet before launching its claim in the straight. He was able to get a drag into the race and the rest is history.
“She’s just got to be ridden quiet, saved up for one run at them. She was a long way off them down the side, but they really started to pack up before the turn, I was able to get on Olly’s (Damien Oliver) back and he dragged me right into it,” Clark said.
“If anything she quickened too well, she got there a bit soon and wanted to have a bit of a look around.”
Clark believes the Country and Provincial Championships races gives trainers like Philip Courtney their chance to shine on the big stage.
“It’s a great concept these Country and Provincial Championships, it gives these country and provincial trainers a really great opportunity, this is the first year Canberra has been under the provincial banner,” Clark said.
“It’s just great for Phil and his team.”
Better Not Blue lived up to expectations in running second and jockey Josh Parr described the run as “brave”.
“Terrific effort. Disappointed for a run at the top of the straight and brave to finish second,” he said.
The disappointment of the race was the easing $2.70 favourite Pomelo which led into the straight, but weakened out late.
“She was okay,” jockey Chad Lever said. “She was probably a bit quiet today compared to what she is normally like but she travelled strong enough through the run, like she normally does, but didn’t have that finish today.
“May have come to the end of it.”