Josh Parr relieved as Iowna Merc takes inside run to grab a last stride win in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup at Randwick

Consistent gelding Iowna Merc fought hard to land a deserved Group 3 win in the Liverpool City Cup at Randwick.

Josh Parr and Iowna Merc (left) take an inside run to score a nose win in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup at Randwick. Picture: Getty Images

Jockey Josh Parr needed to endure a few anxious moments in order to deliver Iowna Merc a thrilling last gasp success at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Iowna Merc got his nose down when he counted to edge out With Your Blessing in a photo finish to the Group 3 $250,000 Liverpool City Cup (1300m).

Parr made his run closest to the inside as With Your Blessing continued to find under pressure and Gringotts bolted home from the back.

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Gringotts ($3.90 favourite) ran out of time to bridge the gap as Iowna Merc ($4.20) edged out With Your Blessing ($4.20) in a desperately tight go to the line.

“It is an anxious moment and a bizarre feeling,” Parr said after waiting for the result.

“As a jockey, going back to the inside, you want to make sure you win and if you get beaten by a pimple going back to the inside, it is hard to cop.

“I’m so glad he stuck his head out and got the job done for us.”

Iowna Merc has gone to a new level this preparation.

Another EPIC finish at Randwick today, with Iowna Merc getting his nose down right on the line in the G3 Liverpool City Cup to deny With Your Blessing and give @BBakerRacing a winning treble!@JoshuaParr8 | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/8Krai828o2

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 1, 2025

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He won the Listed Canterbury Sprint back in January while only finding one better in both the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes and Group 2 Expressway Stakes in the lead up to the Liverpool City Cup.

“He deserved it. He’s been so honest this campaign,” Bjorn Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton said.

“He’s done such a good job this time in and he’s been punching around in benchmark grade but he’s now a Group 3 horse and he ran a fantastic race today.”

It was a massive day for the Baker yard in town with Spring Lee (Asahi Super Dry Handicap) and Within The Law (Sweet Embrace Stakes) both saluting for the stable.