Big upset by Mach Three gelding in National Handicap

Underrated pacer Mikey Maguire (Mach Three) has taken out the first lead-up race for the New Zealand Trotting Cup tonight (Aug. 12), in the hands of junior harness racing driver Sam Thornley.

Tonight’s victory came in the Garrards – National Handicap ($15,000) and capped off a fantastic patch of form for trainer Fred Fletcher. His small band of stable runners have been red hot winning left right and centre in recent months.

Fred Fletcher would have been happy if the Mikey Maguire had finished in the first four tonight, but a masterful drive by the horses regular driver Sam Thornley, saw Mikey Maguire whip to the lead and hold on to win, after the horse made his usual fast beginning from the standing start.

“He is a brilliant standing start horse, he always has been,” Fletcher told Nigel Armstrong from Harness Racing Unhinged after the race.

Mikey Maguire could now be on a path to the New Zealand trotting Cup and in the next few months Fletcher will find out if he has a horse good enough to tackle the 3200m race in November.

“We will just race him through now and see if he is up to the better class horses,” Fletcher said.

Mikey Maguire beat the consistent bridesmaid Heisenberg, who racked up an amazing seventh second placing in a row, most of them by narrow margins. Heisenberg went down by a half a head at the finish with a further neck back to Cheezel in third.

MIKEY MAGUIRE REPLAY

For full race results, click here.

by Harnesslink Media