Lightly raced pacer Spankem took his harness racing career earnings past $1.7 million dollars when winning tonight’s (Gr1) Dawson Hartford Limited Taylor Mile at Alexandra Park for trainers Mark Purdon & Hayden Cullen, and owners: Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, J A Gibbs MNZM, Mrs A Gibbs, G A Woodham and Mrs K J Woodham.
Spankem (Bettor’s Delight) charged to an early lead in the $96,500 event in the hands of driver Natalie Rasmussen and ran the field along, posting a sizzling 1-52.2 time for the 1609m race.
“He is not an over raced horse and has relatively young legs on him and it was another good drive by Natalie to take him the front early in the race and it paid off,” trainer Mark Purdon said after the race.
Stablemate of the winner and race favourite Self Assured got back from the wide draw and ran home well despite a check mid race.
“Yes Self Assured was the run of the race but it was always going to be hard to win from the eight draw and that little check didn’t help so he has gone massive,” Purdon said.
Spankem ended up winning by a head from a fast finishing Hot And Treacherous who trailed and Self Assured who ran home well from back in the field for third.
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Harnesslink Media