A plan to target northern prizemoney came to fruition for trainer Andrew Carston at Awapuni on Saturday.
Consistent mare Red River Rock claimed the second victory of her career in the $22,500 Roading Logistics Premier (2300m).
“There wasn’t much for her down here over the summer so we decided to take her up to the North Island for a little campaign,” Carston said.
Under a cool ride from Carstons’ stable apprentice Kozzie Asano, Red River Rock settled midfield from barrier nine before showing an impressive turn of foot to pick up her rivals over the closing stages.
“She’s taken a fair while, I was always a bit unsure whether she would actually stay that good, she was always more effective at the mile and just getting to the 2000m, but this year she’s stepped up over further and she’s really doing a good job,” he said.
“She’s a handy mare and I was surprised that up until Saturday she’d only won the one race.”
The six-year-old mare has had 32 starts for just the two wins but 14 placings.
Bred by Tony Cook, who races her along with Anthony Penny, Geoff Cotton and M Mehaffey, Red River Rock is by Red Giant out of the six-time race-winning and stakes placed mare Dimondsontheinside (Istadaad).
Cartson said Red River Rock would remain at the Palmerston North stables of Lisa Latta for a Rating 72 event over 2200m at Marton on January 4, which would determine if she would stay to race on Wellington Cup Day.
Carston is also considering northern campaigns for stablemates Hee’s Our Secret, Sharp ‘n’ Silver and Miss Federer.