With prizemoney now exceeding $600,000, Iowna Merc is building an impressive picket fence record through summer racing that includes victory in the feature sprint race at Canterbury.
The five-year-old gelding is back to his best form as described by trainer Bjorn Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton after winning the Listed Canterbury Sprint (1200m) after taking out a benchmark 94 event over 1100m at Randwick on December 21.
Sitting off the pace and making a late run down the middle of the track to deny the James Cummings-trained Pereille ($6), Iowna Merc ($8) continued an impressive overall record of seven wins and eight minor placings in 20 starts.
“We were patient back in the field with the good speed on and could then let go into the straight,” jockey Ashley Morgan said.
“After trips to Bathurst and Orange, I’m pleased to be rewarded with the ride and win.”
A son of Winning Rupert, Iowna Merc competed unsuccessfully in Brisbane during the Queensland Winter Carnival but has flourished in the summertime since.
For Bjorn Baker, Iowna Merc delivered a fourth win for the stable in the past three days.
Race favourite Time To Boogie ($2.80) disappointed when finishing down the track in second last.
