Veteran galloper Ginger Baker continued his career-best form when taking out Sunday’s $100,000 Coolgardie Cup (1760m) at Kalgoorlie.
Starting a $3 chance with Brad Parnham who has now been aboard in eight of the Gingerbread Man eight-year-old’s 11 wins to date, he jumped from barrier four and was crossed by It’s A Lance ($21) through the early stages of the race before settling leaders-back under a 60kg impost.
Parnham was able to extricate the gelding into the clear on straightening and he pulled away over the final 100m to defeat race-favourite Sentimental Hero ($2.70) by a long neck.
Pearce Racing stablemate Decoration ($6.50) finished a further three lengths away in third place in a top result for the stable.
Ginger Baker has enjoyed a fruitful few months with a third placing in the $125,000 Group 3 Strickland Stakes (2000m) at Belmont in June preceding a victory in the $125,000 Listed South West Cup (2200m) the following month and he produced a third placing when first-up in the $125,000 Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) a fortnight prior to Sunday’s triumph.
Bred and raced by Greenfields Lodge, he has now had 54 career starts for 11 wins, eight minor placings and $675,380 in total earnings.
The $125,000 Listed Boulder Cup (2100m) at Kalgoorlie on Sunday September 21 is the gelding’s likely next target.