Craig Ferguson notches up win 200

Horseman Craig Ferguson drove his 200^th winner Robyns Shadow, on his home track at Wyndham today and fittingly it was for Gore harness racing trainers Ross and Chris Wilson, as it was Ross that provided Ferguson with a springboard as a junior driver.

“He kickstarted my career by putting me on his team,” Craig said.

Robyns Shadow warming up

Ferguson gave the second favourite a nice run in the outside running line in today’s race and he wasn’t required to pull the four-year-old until the leaders straightened up for the run home. Robyns Shadow (Shadow Play) ran home nicely to beat Beaudiene Hustler by three quarters of a length, running the trip in 2-59.1.

“It doesn’t always work out that well, but it worked out perfect today.”

Robyns Shadow stretching out to win

Prior to today’s win, which was his fourth, Robyns Shadow has finished second eight times, and third three times.

“He’s come to it and I’ve learned how to drive him. He seems to be good if you don’t do too much early and if you can get him in a reasonable spot, he can certainly run home.”

The Shadow Play gelding was bred by Ross Wilson, who owns and part trains the horse with his son Chris.

Ferguson’s first winner was Lucy Legacy for Brendon McLellan at Forbury Park in August 2010.

His only Group winner to date was The Wrath Of Robyn trained by Trevor Cross which won the 2015 Four- and Five-Year-Old Championship at Forbury Park in April 2015.

“That was a huge thrill.”

Ferguson had success with Robyn’s Playboy, taking out two seconds in the Group Three Hannon Memorial (2020 and 2021) and a third in the Group One Three-Year-Old Emerald at Addington in 2019.

“He’s such a wonderful horse and I’m lucky to drive one like that. He’s won some nice races and gone some phenomenal times.”

Ross Wilson has provided Ferguson with forty three of his 200 winning drives, and he’s won twenty two times wearing his own colours. He’s driven nineteen winners for Wayne Adams and a further twelve for the Ross and Chris Wilson partnership.

Recently he ventured into the training ranks and now works a small team from his new stables at the Wyndham track.

Earlier in the year on debut he produced Nutcracker to win the Group Three Caduceus Club of Southland/Alabar Fillies Classic.

“She’s just working up nicely. There’s no hurry for her.”

Ferguson also has a good opinion of Street Art which qualified at Winton in June. He’s a two-year-old by Art Major out of Curragh’s Princess.

“We think a bit of him. We’ve just tipped him out for another spell. He’s a bigger horse and probably needs time to mature.”

by Bruce Stewart