Cimarron has made a smooth transition to middle distance racing and he looks well-placed to further his record at Ruakaka on Saturday.
The son of Charm Spirit’s lead-up form on the track has been hard to fault and trainer-owner Jenna Mahoney has every reason to expect more of the same from the five-year-old in the ITM/GIB Whangarei Gold Cup Stayer’s Final (2100m).
Cimarron has a course and distance victory and two minor placings in his four starts beyond a mile and with Warren Kennedy again booked for the ride they again make an appealing combination.
“He’s pretty consistent and since we’ve shifted him up over ground he’s getting even better,” Mahoney said.
“He was good last time out and he loves the surface at Ruakaka so we’re making the most if it with him.”
Cimarron finished runner-up in a Rating 75 contest in his most recent visit to Ruakaka a fortnight ago and has done well in the interim.
“He’s only a three-win horse in an open race, but he gets in nicely and Warren is keen to stay with him so I’m happy about that, he rides him really well,” Mahoney said.
“I bought him as a yearling and he can have his moments, but generally he’s pretty easy going.”
Cimarron was bought out of Windsor Park Stud’s Karaka draft for $50,000 and is a son of the stakes placed Redoute’s Choice mare Betsy.
Her dam Quays won the Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) and placed at the top level in the Australian Oaks (2400m), Queensland Oaks (2400m) and the Arrowfield Stud Stakes (2000m).
Cimarron’s stablemate and Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1200m) contender Fernandez has also been in good recent touch at Ruakaka with a runner-up finish two runs back before the Per Incanto mare ran fourth after an interrupted passage.
“She is a really consistent horse and is rarely out of the money,” Mahoney said.
“She will like the good track up there and I’ve been happy with the last couple of runs. The last race didn’t quite go to plan and she got a bit far back and hopefully she can sit a bit handier.”
The other member of Mahoney’s team is Love Affirmations who will run in the Northland Business Systems Handicap (1200m).
The El Roca gelding was a comfortable winner on the course two runs back and then tailed the field home, but Mahoney is happy to forget that result.
“The race just didn’t suit him. He drew the outside gate and Warren (Kennedy) opted to pull back and then they slowed the pace down and sprinted,” she said.
“He got left a bit flat on the corner, but he pulled up great and we’ll try and ride him handier this time. He’s better suited that way, it was just the circumstances last time, so we’ll ignore that and move on.”