Better Knuckle Up shows plenty of punch in Velocity

Aided by a heady drive by Zachary Butcher, Better Knuckle Up (Bettor’s Delight) out-fought nine harness racing rivals to win the inaugural $500,000 Listed – Hill, Lee and Scott ‘The Velocity’ Three Year Old Pacers Slot Race at Addington today.

Clevedon trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan’s ability to train horses to the minute when the moneys up was evident. And Entain who placed the three year old in their slot, were duly rewarded.

BETTER KNUCKLE UP REPLAY

“That was a huge thrill. A great effort from Barry and Scottie. We got back a bit and the favourite had a superb run and you worry a bit whether you’re going to pick them up. Halfway down the straight Blair pulled the plugs out (on favourite Chase A Dream) and we were still coming at them. Credit to this horse he hit the line and sort of ran away from them. These are the races we love winning and it’s pretty special to be a part of.” Butcher said after the win.

Phelan has been in charge of the southern team based at Purdon Racing’s Rolleston Barn while Barry has been looking after the team back home, but he joined his training partner for their horses lead into Cup Week.

“Both Jeremiah and this horse have done really well on the trip. They were healthy, feeling well and their work had been good. You just knew as a trainer that they would go good but to win it is another thing. It’s great for the owners. Peter (Stott) is down here with his wife and daughter and it’s just great for them. They bought him out of the yearling sales. It’s just a thrill all round really,” Purdon said.

The winning margin was a length and three quarters with Chase A Dream running second and Harrison John a length and a half back in third.

The time for the Velocity was 2-23.1.

Better Knuckle Up is the first foal out of the eight win Raging Bull mare Bare Knuckle and was offered at the Auckland Yearling Sales by Breckon Farms. Frank Cooney bought him as an agent for $90,000.

The win as his sixth in just fourteen starts and the winning stake elevates his earnings to $279,198.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink