$90,000 Derby to Dylan and Rogie

Although harness racing trainer Dylan Ferguson was disappointed he wasn’t in the drivers seat, he’s thrilled to have won as a trainer, the $90,000 Group One Breckon Farms Northern Trotting Derby tonight (May 26). 

Trained by Ferguson and Graeme Rogerson, Lovemeto (What The Hill) took out the three year old trotting feature at Alexandra Park with Blair Orange doing the driving. 

“Dylan’s a fantastic guy and does a great job. He should be sitting here instead of me but unfortunately he was suspended. I’m very lucky to pick up the drive and the horse was very good tonight which made my job easy,” Orange told Trackside presenter Nicole Sims.

The drive by Orange was top shelf. He led early before handing up to Walkinonsunshine (Creatine) but with two laps to run Orange pushed the go button and went back to the top. 

From there he set a solid clip and turned the race into a staying test, hanging on to win by three lengths with filly Walkinonsunshine running second. 

The winning time was 3-25.1 with the last 800 metres cut out in 60 seconds. 

“He travelled well the whole way. I saw Paul’s horse (Confessional) trot awkward round the last bend and I was a bit worried about Tony (Walkinonsunshine) who was on my back. But just when I asked him he gave me some more.” 

LOVEMETO REPLAY

This was Rogerson and Ferguson’s first Group One win. 

“It’s obviously a big thrill but disappointing I’m not driving him. But to have my name in the book training a horse like this is a big thrill. We’ve had a lot of faith in this horse. He didn’t trot round the bends last week because he was wide on the track but when he drew the ace draw (1) I thought ‘he’s not going to die wondering,” Ferguson said. 

Owned by Rogerson and Merv and Meg Butterworth, Lovemeto was bred by race day sponsors Breckon Farms and was bought by Rogerson at the 2021 NZB Standardbred Auckland Sale for $45,000. 

The win confirms the continuous rise of the stock Of What The Hill. 

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink