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By Mark Brassel

An unbeaten filly will be in cruise control to live up to the family name at Tuesday’s Orange race meeting.

Three-year-old filly Iowna Benz will be facing the starter for just the second time in The Oriana Orange Class 1 Handicap (1000m) after putting her foot down on debut.

The Bjorn Baker-trained youngster sat outside the leader then accelerated away to score by nearly three lengths at Newcastle over 900m.

Iowna Benz (Olivia Chambers) is in overdrive at Newcastle on debut. Image by Bradley Photographers

Iowna Benz is the last of three horses produced by now deceased broodmare Mercedes sired by a former Baker galloper Winning Rupert.

Her eldest brother is five-year-old gelding Iowna Merc, a winner of three Randwick races and last raced in July when third at Rosehill Gardens.

Then there is four-year-old brother Istolea Merc who is currently spelling; he has raced once when runner-up at Hawkesbury in September.

The final product of Mercedes is an unnamed two-year-old gelding by Time to Reign.

Successful syndicators Darby Racing own all three gallopers to have raced and could have another smart one in Iowna Benz who will be ridden by apprentice Olivia Chambers at Orange.

However, Iowna Benz may not have it her own way with another unbeaten galloper Parthenope poised to challenge.

A four-year-old mare, Parthenope is prepared by Danielle Seib at Goulburn and was heavily backed on debut.

Despite running about down the straight after leading, Parthenope justified the support and scored narrowly.

The mare has drawn the rails barrier and will be partnered by Pierre Boudvillain.

The Bjorn Baker stable has another three runners at Orange with Olivia Chambers riding each galloper – O’explosive (Inland Digital Maiden Handicap, 1300m), O’so Demanding (Ideal Conditions Benchmark 58 Handicap, 1300m) and debutante Highwire Flyer (McSigns Orange Maiden Plate, 1000m).

Next Sunday is Imperial Hotel Coonabarabran Cup Day – a Racing NSW Country Showcase meeting offering a massive $335,000 in prizemoney.

Festivities kick off on Saturday with a welcome gathering at the Imperial Hotel from 4pm before the Cup Calcutta commences at 6pm with guest speaker Mal ‘Miracle’ Johnston.

“We will have the ‘best presented horse’ in each race that’ll be judged by our Equimillion-sponsored competitor, Hannah Evans from Evans Equestrian,” said Lindsay Hawkins, Coonamble Jockey Club’s secretary/manager.

“On-course there will also be a full bar, a BBQ and a TAB with local and city bookmakers fielding.

“Then after the last race DJ Disarray will be playing at The Imperial and anyone that’s seen him knows it’s going to be loud!”

Sunday’s support races include the $50,000 Super Maiden (1200m) and $50,000 Country Boosted Class 2 Plate (1200m).

Also on Saturday, Albury Racing Club will stage its ARC Sponsors Luncheon Raceday with a seven-race TAB program.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Muswellbrook
Tuesday: Grafton, Orange
Friday: Scone, Queanbeyan
Saturday: Albury, Armidale, Mudgee (non-TAB), Casino (non-TAB), Balranald (non-TAB), Harden picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Coonabarabran, Port Macquarie