Iowna Merc Rings Up Group Double for Darby Racing

Tara Madgwick - Saturday March 1

Just when Scott Darby through his day couldn’t get any better after bonny filly Within the Law booked her ticket to the Golden Slipper after winning the Group III ATC Sweet Embrace Stakes it did… with tough and consistent sprinter Iowna Merc capturing the Group III ATC Liverpool City Cup (1200m).

Iowna Merc wins the G3 Liverpool City Cup - image Bradley Photography

Trained by Bjorn Baker and ridden by Josh Parr, Iowna Merc had not finished out of a place in his previous six starts and under inspired riding was able to sneak up a long the fence and poke a whisker in front at the line to snatch a narrow verdict over With Your Blessing with race favourite Gringotts storming home for third.

It was the second stakes win for Iowna Merc taking the overall record for the Winning Rupert gelding to seven wins and 10 placings from 23 starts with prizemoney topping $900,000.

“It is an anxious moment and a bizarre feeling. As a jockey, going back to the inside, you want to make sure you win and if you get beaten by a pimple going back to the inside, it is hard to cop,” Josh Parr said.

"I'm so glad he stuck his head out and got the job done for us.

Advertisement

"His will and the confidence (with which) he's become. He once lacked that and you had to nurture him every step of the way. Now he travels boldly and really lets go. He's an easy horse to ride now that he has grown in confidence."

Iowna Mer and his owners celebrate - image Bradley Photography

Iowna Merc is one of five stakes-winners for Written Tycoon stallion Winning Rupert, who now stands in Western Australia at Geisel Park.

Bred by Scott Darby, Iowna Merc is the best of three winners from placed Snitzel mare Mercedes, a half-sister to stakes-winner Divine Centuri. She died in 2023 and her last foal is an unnamed two year-old gelding by Time to Reign.

Interestingly , Iowna Merc is another stakes-winner bred on the Written Tycoon x Snitzel nick which has enjoyed a real surge of success this season producing stakes-winners including G1 winners Private Life and Captured By Love as well as The Playwright, Cannonball, To Cap It All and Sanniya.

Advertisment

Race Result - Liverpool City Cup Gr3 1300m

Randwick Track: Good(4) Time: 1:15.38
1
Iowna Merc
- 5g Winning Rupert (AUS) x Mercedes (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J Parr 57
2
0.1
With Your Blessing
- 6g Vadamos (FR) x Super Trouper (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: A B Collett 53
3
0.2
Gringotts
- 5g Per Incanto (USA) x Miss Bluebell (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Tommy Berry 61
NZB Ready To Run Sale $0
Seller: Riversley Park Ltd
Buyer: Withdrawn
4
1.3
Rediener
- 5g Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Wiener (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
5
1.6
Willaidow
- 6g Shamus Award (AUS) x Stimulated (AUS) (Casino Prince (AUS))
Tnr: M C Conners Rdr: Tyler Schiller 55
6
3.3
Golden Mile
- 5g Astern (AUS) x Calaverite (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: A Hyeronimus 58.5
7
3.8
Ka Bling
- 6g Capitalist (AUS) x Zingaling (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Peter Snowden Rdr: Tom Sherry 54
More Reading...
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
Darby Racing Win G2 Ajax Stakes with Iowna Merc
The rise of Darby Racing flagbearer Iowna Merc over the summer months has been the stuff of dreams for his many owners and he took another step forward on Saturday when winning the $300,000 Group II ATC Ajax Stakes (1500m) in a thriller.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Darby Homebred Wins Listed Canterbury Stakes
Darby Racing have enjoyed much success as syndicators with the horses they buy at the sales, but Iowna Merc, who gave them a stakes-win on New Year’s Day in the Listed ATC Canterbury Sprint (1200m) is a horse bred and retained by Scott Darby.
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.