Akuta wins Ashburton Flying Stakes for Dobbie

Star pacer Akuta (Bettor’s Delight) did the right thing for his part owner the late Ian Dobson who passed away last week, when he won the $60,000 Group Two NZB Airfreight Ashburton Flying Stakes.

In the capable hands of Olivia Thornley, the powerhouse pacer sat parked but was still too good for most of his IRT New Zealand Cup opposition, beating Republican Party (Bettor’s Delight) by half a length.

Akuta powering up the Ashburton straight with Olivia Thornley (Race Images – Photo)

The winning time was 2-56.5 with the last 800 cut out in 54.5.

“Just with the horsepower he has you can put him anywhere in the race and he just relaxes and the minute you move he just keeps trying,” Thornley who works for trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon, said.

There were some question marks over Akuta’s ability to step away but in the soft hands of Thornley it proved not to be an issue.

“Going into the race it didn’t matter whether I was slow or fast as long as he got away pacing.”

At the winning post (Race Images – Photo)

Thornley, who was driving Akuta for the first time on race day, was full of admiration for the four year old pacer whose odds have firmed for the upcoming New Zealand Cup.

“He’s just the ultimate racehorse and I was rapt to get the win especially with the passing of Dobbie. It’d mean a lot to him.”

Thornley has been working for Akuta’s All Stars stable for nine years.

“I’m so grateful to them for putting me on and I’m rapt to be able to repay the faith.”

It was the eleventh time Mark Purdon’s name has been attached as trainer to this race, dating back to Young Rufus (Soky’s Atom) which won in 2002.

Later in the programme Aardie’s Express broke the 2-00 barrier for 1700 metres when she won the mares race in 1-59.0 winning by six and three quarter lengths.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink