All-conquering trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman collected the 20th black type victory of their remarkable domestic season when the strapping mare New York Minute claimed top honours at New Plymouth.
She produced a commanding front-running
performance under jockey Lisa Allpress to run away with Saturday's Listed
Powerworx Opunake Cup (1400m).
Baker and Forsman will also easily retain their premiership title with their current winning tally of 141 a new record that may well be further extended before the end of the term.
New York Minute has been a valuable addition to their Cambridge stable and is now unbeaten in three appearances for them. She was previously trained by Ilone Kelly, whose family races the strapping daughter of Iffraaj.
"We'll probably freshen her and ideally head to the Foxbridge Plate and then the first day at Hastings," said Forsman, referring to the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m).
New York Minute worked hard early to get to the front at New Plymouth and she kicked strongly in the straight to beat Sleeping Beauty, who was in receipt of four and a-half kilos, and the winner's stablemate Tomelilla.
"She's hard to catch when she's rolling along," Forsman said.
"With the pull in the weights that Sleeping Beauty had I thought she was going to give us a fright, but our horse is all heart and dug deep."
New York Minute was a $15,000 weanling purchase out of Little Avondale Stud's draft in 2013 and she has now won eight times and banked more than $210,000.
"Tomelilla probably needs a looser track, but Deals In Heels was a bit disappointing. She was there, but didn't quicken."
Art Deco finished fourth with Deals In Heels fifth and Nashville came from last to be next home. – NZ Racing Desk.
