Birthday boy wins for Austin

Wyndham harness racing driver Craig ‘Bubba’ Ferguson celebrated his birthday in style today, winning three races at the Invercargill HRC meeting at Ascot Park. 

Ferguson’s first win came in the first race when he led out on the Richard Austin trained Mucho Fuerte (Panspacificflight), dictated the race tempo and held on to win by a neck from Hunting Weight (Stunin Cullen) who was forced to sit parked for most of the way. 

MUCHO FUERTE REPLAY

Bred by Kenny Baynes and trained by Canterbury horseman Tony Barron, Austin purchased Mucho Fuerte from Gavelhouse the horse auction website, for $1,600 just over twelve months ago. 

“She was unraced before we got her, but I’d seen a couple of trials she’d had, and I thought she didn’t go too bad. She had a lot of problems and got nervous. Tony Barron said to me that she only needed time and a bit of one on one and that’s what we’ve given her,” he said. 

Today Mucho Fuerte was blessed with a good draw and Ferguson made full use of it. 

“She’s been a bit unlucky with the draws. The best draw she had was today. I think she’ll win another one.” 

Ferguson’s day got better when he won on the Nathan Williamson trained Mr Cash Man (Shadow Play) and in the last, with his own runner Tennessee Honey (Rock N Roll Heaven). 

He’s currently the leading trainer in the country for the UDR category of ten wins or more, and has a rating of 0.5354. On the driving front he’s the leading Southland based driver with twenty four wins, six ahead of Nathan Williamson. 

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink