Racing: No doubting Classcoroc

Classcoroc, ridden by Mark Sweeney (pictured) yesterday, wins at Bambry's Water Treadmill Woodville-Pahiatua Cup. Photo / APN

Classcoroc overcame a steep rise in grade to make a lengthy trip south for Te Rapa part-owner and trainer Graeme Hughes worthwhile.

The 4-year-old had won only twice before taking on the open Bambry's Water Treadmill Woodville-Pahiatua Cup and she paid her better-performed opposition scant regard with a decisive winning performance.

While her record only featured a maiden home track success and a Rating 65 victory two runs back, Classcoroc had looked above-average last season when a sound fourth behind the group one winner Rock 'N' Pop in the Karaka Mile at Ellerslie.

She was ridden yesterday by Mark Sweeney, who kept the leader Glaizem within his sights before making his move into the straight. Classcoroc kicked strongly and had enough in reserve to win by a half-length margin at the post.

Fairway Wish enjoyed a good run with cover and ran on well enough for second ahead of L'Amour.

Enuffisenuff finished fourth and then came to grief after the post but both horse and rider Rosie Myers were unhurt.

Myers is back in New Zealand permanently after a successful stint in Queensland.

Classcoroc was a $5000 Festival Sale buy for Hughes in 2010 and is by the Argentinian-bred stallion Sirocco, who has found little favour with breeders since his retirement to Archer Park. He stands there alongside Sun Ruler, a Zabeel son of the champion mare Sunline.

Chris Wood tagged Open 'N' Shut as a future topliner early in his career and he now has a wait on his hands to see if the 4-year-old can realise that potential at Trentham.

The Cambridge trainer is keen to run the son of Bachelor Duke in the group one JR & N Berkett Telegraph Handicap later this month and victory at Woodville yesterday will press his claims for a spot in the field.

"I don't know if he'll get enough rating points to get in, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens now," Wood said.

"The race today fitted in well and he got the job done well and he's doing everything that's been asked of him.

"I've never had a runner in the Telegraph before, but I've won a few nice races at Trentham in the past like the Captain Cook Stakes, the Wellington Steeples, Trentham Stakes, Summer Cup and a St Leger."

Open 'N' Shut had won four of his previous six starts and made a successful return to Woodville yesterday having claimed a lower grade event at the meeting 12 months ago.

He settled second on the outer before taking control in the straight to score with authority by three-quarters of a length from Jaggard, who ran on strongly once into the clear.

- www.theinformant.co.nz