Ocean Park’s son a Cup contender

Bold Contender will make his next appearance in black-type company after continuing his winning ways at Grafton this afternoon.

The Waikato Stud-bred son of Ocean Park completed a hat-trick of wins with a strong staying performance over 2230 metres to earn a start in the Listed Grafton Cup on July 14.

“It will be nice to have a runner in it and his confidence is up,” trainer Andrew Parramore said.

“He’s going well and is a lot stronger now and carrying a bit more weight. He gets through the ground so it’s all looking good.”

Bold Contender settled a clear last before he started to pick up ground 700 metres from home and produced a sustained finish for a hollow victory.

The five-year-old has been in outstanding touch this preparation with consecutive lead-up successes at Grafton and Coffs Harbour.

“He has come back nicely and Andrew has really got him firing and he loves wet ground,” regular rider Ben Looker said.

A $12,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale purchase, Bold Contender is out of the stakes performed Danasinga mare Striptease, a half-sister to the black type winners Seize The Moment and Savour The Moment.

From the family of Group 1 winners Anacheeva, Headturner and O’Marilyn, Striptease delivered a colt by Tivaci last season.