“Special” Folklore wins Premier Mares

Harness racing driver Jonny Cox gave a special salute after the winning post when Folklore, (Sportswriter) a mare he trains and drives, won the $50,000 Group Two Garrards ‘Premier Mares Championship Mobile Pace.

“The salute was just for myself. All the hard work and hours you put in. She is a special horse. It was a great feeling really,” Cox said.

It was a perfect drive from Cox who had Folklore two back on the outside as the two favourites Manhattan (Bettor’s Delight) and Allamericanlover (American Ideal) dictated the pace. Turning for home Cox let his mare move up to challenge the leaders and she came away to win easily by six and a quarter lengths.

“Everything played into our favour. She always tries so hard. The leaders usually get away with that middle half in 61 or 62 and then run home in 56 and she has to run home in 55 or better to catch them. Tonight there was a true tempo through the middle stage and we were two or three spots closer than we normally would be and when I asked her to go she really dug in and felt super.”

Cox added that tonight Folklore felt the best she’s felt for a long time.

“When I gave her a wee click up down the back she really grabbed the bit. It’s never easy to run past good horses but the way my mare felt we were definitely going to be in it. You never expect to win races easily like that and in that fashion so it was full credit to the horse.”

FOLKLORE REPLAY

Cox added “She raced in these mares races last year and had a couple of starts in group races in the North Island and we were lucky enough to get one tonight.”

The winning time was 2-20.4 and Folklore was at outside odds paying $44.10 and $7.00.  It was the mare’s twelfth win and Cox’s first group pacing win as a trainer.

Folklore is owned by Southlanders Ian and Nola Wilson who are Cox’s uncle and aunty which makes the win tonight even more special.

“Growing up in Southland we were a pretty close family with all of mum’s brothers and sisters so it was great to train a group winner especially for them. They made the trip up. They could have been playing golf today but they chose to come to the races. They’d be kicking themselves if they weren’t here.”

The Wilsons contemplated breeding from Folklore but decided they’d race her for another season.

“It was on the cards to give her her time as a mum but she can wait another nine months now and depending on how she’s going we’ll probably aim for Cup Week this year and then put her in foal.”

Cox also appreciated the help his parent John and Dorothy Cox give both himself and his partner Kimberly Butt.

“Mum and Dad are up here now. Dad does a lot of work at home while Kim and I are away at the races. Mum’s a fulltime babysitter looking after Kenzie in the mornings.

Folklore will now head to the $90,000 Group One Fahy Fence Hire New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes at Addington on the 10th February.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink