Major assignments ahead for Ferguson

Wyndham horseman Craig Ferguson has some big assignments ahead of him, none bigger than the $500,000 The Velocity on Show Day, driving Marketplace.

The Southland trainer has being travelling between Wyndham and Christchurch working Wag Star at Regan Todd’s property in addition to looking after his homebased team.

On Sunday Ferguson will have a quieter role to play when he lines up three runners and has one outside drive on WDC day at Winton.

Babe On The Beach (Downbytheseaside) starts in Race One at Winton. She last raced in March and has had four workouts prior to her resumption.

“She worked this morning (Friday) and we were really pleased with her. She’s had more workouts than we’d usually give a horse but she had a tie up issue and had to be scratched a couple of weeks ago. She seems to be over that now. She’ll have to bring her A game, but from some of her workouts I think she’s stepped up a bit from last year,” Ferguson said.

Franco Seb (Vincent) represents the stable in Race Six. He was a good third behind a smart type in Proposition Joe at his last start and this race looks a bit easier.

“He’s a horse that’s probably surprised us a bit. He’s stepped up when he’s gone to the races. He’s no superstar but he’s an honest sort of horse. It looks like in that field with a little bit of luck he could be featuring in the finish.”

Beluga (Bettor’s Delight) dons the stable colours in Race Eight. He broke in the score up at his last start but went well afterwards.

“He just got a bit keen. We used him off the gate the start before and he wanted to do the same. We’ve added an overcheck so I’m picking he should be alright this week.”

Ferguson has one outside drive, linking up with two year old filly Stranger Things (Tall Dark Stranger) in Race Two for John and Katrina Price.

“I don’t know a hell of a lot about her and I’ll have to watch her trials. I’ve spoken with Nathan (Nathan Williamson who’s driven her at the trials) and he said she’s a really nice horse and she’s got a good draw. The Prices have them pretty ready to go so I’m looking forward to it.”

Four heats of the WDC will be held at Winton. The sponsors are VetSouth Equine, Night ‘N Day Winton, SBSR/Diamond Creek Farm and Ultra – Scan Western Southland.

On Tuesday – Cup Day at Addington, Ferguson will drive two of his horses – Wag Star (Sweet Lou) in the TAB Junior Free – For – All and Massive Merc (Muscle Mass) in the Saunders, Robinson, Brown Trot.

After six starts from the stand against good company Wag Star returns to mobile racing against slightly lesser company on Tuesday and gets a good draw.

“I think it’s an opportunity for him to be driven a bit more positively. He’s got good gate speed and we’ll probably look to use it.”

The five year old has impressed his trainer in his recent races.

“He’s been missing away and has been hitting the line really nice. If we can dictate things a wee bit I’m reasonably confident he will go a good race. He hasn’t been stringing the wins together, but he’s racing in the hardest grade he’s ever been in. Work wise he feels as good as ever.”

Massive Merc will face his toughest test on Tuesday when he fronts up to a capacity field.

“It’s a big field but he’s impressed us every time he’s gone off the place and his work’s stepped up every time since. We’re reasonably confident he’ll go a good race and we’re quite happy with the draw. He made a mistake last time (at Ascot Park) so I think it’ll suit him better being out there.”

Ferguson has another big assignment on Friday when he drives Marketplace (Bettor’s Delight) in the $500,000 The Velocity.

“I’ve seen a bit of him and he’s looking good and seems to have come on a bit since his Ashburton race, so he’s ticking all the boxes. I think being a year older, it’s taken a few more runs to tighten him up. I think we’ll see him step up on Friday.”

Ferguson says he’s hoping for a good tempo in the Show Day feature.

“If Got The Chocolates was to lead and we sat on his back and Got The Chocolates got a cheap time of it, he’d be hard to beat because he’s awfully quick too. We saw in the Northern Derby that he (Marketplace) can go hard and sustain a long run. With a horse like Got The Chocolates and his high speed I think we’ll have to out tough him.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink