Douglas gets his first double

Ascot Park harness racing trainer Jeremy Douglas notched up a notable double at Winton today (Nov 13) when Minnie McGoogan (Pegasus Spur) and Macandrew Navigator (Sir Lincoln) won the last two races on the eight race card.

MINNIE MCGOOGAN REPLAY

It was the first time as a trainer and as a driver Douglas has achieved the feat.

In the Dunstan Horsefeeds Gold Chip Final over 2400 metres Minnie McGoogan began well from her twenty metre handicap, settling mid field before slotting three back on the outside. When Douglas saw second favourite Our Golden Kenny (Love You) moving forward he got onto the three wide train.

“I wanted to stay in front of Phil (Williamson, driving Our Golden Kenny) for sure. I thought the worst case scenario was that if I ended up parked I could let him go and at least have a good one to follow,” Douglas said.

At the 1000 metres Douglas decided to press forward and at the 800 metres Minnie McGoogan took the lead one cart out from the running line.

“She hates the slushy tracks. I was conscious of that because down on the running line it had cut up a wee bit. One cart off was better and she trotted better out there.”

At the 400 Douglas had a handful of horse and when the pair straightened up for the run home she had a four length break on the second placed horse. At the line she was six and three quarter lengths in front of Cool Phelan (Pegasus Spur) with Justine Jaccka (Creatine) four and a quarter lengths back in third.

“In hindsight I think we were always going to be winning today. She shut up shop over the last bit, but I don’t think she was tired. I think it was a mental thing which she will grow out of.”

Minnie McGooganIt’s been a great few days for Oamaru owner Charlotte Williamson who has a share in Minnie McGoogan with Invercargill HRC President Craig Heyrick and his wife Tania. Williamson owns Teddy Baker which won at Addington on Friday.

“I’m thinking pretty seriously about transferring all my horses over into her name. She seems to be the lucky charm, that’s for sure.”

It was Minnie McGoogan’s second win in fourteen starts and she’s rewarded her connections with her consistency. She’s run second six times and third twice in her other starts. Her last win was at the Tuapeka meeting in October last year.

Douglas says he doesn’t do too much work with the three year old filly over a week. He just keeps her ticking over.

“The more you race her the less you have to work her. She’s a bit of a trick to work. On Friday I broke the routine and put her in the cart to make sure she was up to the mark for Sunday. Her work was horrendous, so I won’t be doing that again.”

Douglas says Minnie McGoogan will now head to Addington on Friday 25^th November for the $100,000 Group One New Zealand Trotting Oaks.

“Well have a crack for sure. She’s the sort of horse that can follow good horses and still finish with them. If she had a bit more mental strength she’d have a chance of getting a cheque in one of those races. She may have a quiet workout this weekend and head up to the Oaks from there.”

In the next race, the Advance Agriculture Mobile Pace over 1609 metres, Douglas was in the winning zone again with Macandrew Navigator. Getting a nice trip in the one one, he was too tough for Henry Maguire (Rock N Roll Heaven) and won by a neck. The winning time on an off track was 1-58.0.

MACANDREW NAVIGATOR REPLAY

“He was a much better horse this week. I got caught out by the spring grass and the team got away from me, so they’ve copped a bit of work this week. I think he’ll get better much the same as his brother (Macandrew Aviator) has. I doubt he’s got the speed to go to the level of where his brother has got to, but he’ll be a good country cups horse later this season and certainly next season.”

Meanwhile southern horses have a good presence in the two year old features that at Addington’s Grand Prix Meeting on Sunday 4^th December.

All races are worth $100,000 and have Group One status.

In the Ace of Diamonds for two year old pacing fillies Treacherous Gall (Captaintreacherous) sits in fifth position while Advance Party (Bettor’s Delight) is one place below.

In the Ace of Spades for two year old colts and geldings Da Vinci (Art Major) holds seventh position while Rakamurph (Captaintreacherous) is sitting at eleventh.

In the trotting section Switch On (Bacardi Lindy) is the fifth qualifier in the Ace of Clubs for two year old colts and geldings while in the Ace of Hearts for two year old trotting fillies Show No Fear (Father Patrick) is currently the second top qualifier, Krackaling (What The Hill) holds down nineth place and Kenny’s Charm (Muscle Mass) currently sits in twelfth place.

The night will also feature the New Zealand Pacing Derby (Group One), New Zealand Pacing Oaks (Group One), New Zealand Trotting FFA (Group One), New Zealand Trotting Derby (Group One) and The Summer Cup (Group Three).

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart for Harnesslink