Kerry Parker and Tim Clark have combined in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes as Hope In Your Heart resumes a strong winner at Randwick on Saturday afternoon.
The daughter of Dundeel looked to be getting back in the ruck between gallopers, but the toughness of the four-year-old was on full display.
When asked to take a tight gap between horse she obliged in kind with a scintillating turn-of-foot to scoot clear of the girls and get a well-earned Group 2 success.
She was a drifting commodity in the market getting out to as much as $5 with online betting sites, while Mirra Vision had all the support late heading into the race a firm favourite getting into $3.50 late.
Sam Clipperton elected to lead throughout on Mirra Vision and didn't seem to appreciate the tactic falling back in the field with 300m to go as Norwegian Bliss sat on her hammer the entire trip.
It set up nicely for some backmarkers coming into play late as Larkspur Run made inroads before the eventual winner cut up her outside to power to the line.
Mustang Valley for Hugh Bowman was unable to get clear and found the minor money; however, could've made it a close finish had she got clear.
Hope In Your Heart has been rewarded for her consistency though with some tough tasks set for her last preparation with a fourth in the Golden Eagle and runner-up in The Gong.
2023 Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes Replay – Hope In Your Heart
Kerry Parker spoke post-race with excitement about his mare getting the victory and what winning the Guy Walter mean to him and the team. He also confirmed the mare would head to the Coolmore Classic next.
“It's a great result. A great honour to win the Guy Walter,” said Kerry Parker.
“She's got a huge heart, they've named her really well. She's got plenty of it. She had to push her way out there today which was really tough and once she got to the outside I thought it's game over.
“I thought if she didn't win today she's not as good as I thought she was.
“I was pretty confident coming here, this will be the weakest race she'll run in this prep and I'm hoping she can just keep taking the next steps now.”
Jockey Tim Clark produced a superb ride to get the clear running late and he puts it down to her being a laid back type.
“Until you really wake her up she just goes through the motions a little bit, she's very unassuming. Very talented and got a real good will to win,” said Clark.
“She gets sight of the bunny, she'll run through a brick wall for you to beat them.”
The Coolmore is next on the agenda for Hope In Your Heart where she currently sits at an equal third favourite at $8.