Big win Kango, Akuta now a confirmed Cup starter

There was plenty of hustle and bustle in today’s (Oct. 31) Alabar Kaikoura Cup. And the biggest hustler Kango (American Ideal) thrived on it and got the business done in harness racing’s Group Three feature.

Driver David Butcher didn’t catch starter Rick Donnelly’s tape release from the inside position, but he pushed Kango forward, managing to shunt hot favourite Akuta out four wide as the drivers battled for early positions. Akuta’s driver Mark Purdon was then forced to move forward and a wily Butcher got onto his back. Not content to sit parked, he pushed on to take the lead from Pembrook Playboy, and although he ran out in the straight, Pembrook Playboy and Akuta couldn’t get past. Kango won by half a length from Pembrook Playboy with Akuta another half a length back in third.

KANGO REPLAY

“We got away not too bad and were lucky enough to get off the fence. We tracked Mark up and he (Kango) does his best work in front. He likes it when there’s a lot going on and it’s tough out there. I was really happy with him. He stuck on well,” Butcher told Trackside presenter Nicole Sims after the race.

After a short enquiry into Kango’s run up the home straight the five year old was confirmed as the winner for elated trainer Arna Donnelly. 

“Arna does a great job with her horses and treast them as individuals. She’s done a great job with this guy from where he’s come from. ‘He coped really well round the bends too Arna,’ Butcher quipped to Donnelly who was at the head of the winner.

Kango’s winning time of 2-56.9 was outside the race record of 2-54.3 set by Lazarus in the 2017 edition.

The win confirms Kango as a starter in next Tuesday’s IRT New Zealand Cup – a race in which he finished seventh last year. Butcher will drive the gelding in the feature alongside his two sons Ben (BD Joe) and Zachery (Old Town Road). 

‘It’s a special moment that the three of us can be in the race. I’m getting a bit old now, but the boys are doing a fantastic job.”

This was Donnelly’s third group win as a trainer. Kango won the Group Two Superstars Championship at Addington in April and the Group Franklin Cup in 2021. 

Lazarus (2017), Arden Rooney (2015) and II Vicolo (1995 and 1996) all won the Kaikoura Cup and went on to win the New Zealand Cup in the same year. 

Southland trainer Nathan Williamson was happy enough with Pembrook Play’s run for second.

“He did well to muster early and find the lead. I would have been quite happy to stay there if the right horse didn’t come, but Kango came around and he was a good one to follow. He wasn’t too far away at the finish and ran a creditable race. Hopefully he’s building the right way. I don’t think he’ll be too far away next Tuesday,” Williamson said.

And after today’s run Rolleston trainer Mark Purdon confirmed via text that Akuta will now start in Tuesday’s Cup. So it’s game on!

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink