Da Vinci paints a pretty landscape

Local harness racing trainer Craig Ferguson got punters excited when after sitting parked, he got $1.40 favourite Da Vinci (Art Major) home in the $15,000 heat of the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes series today (Mar. 18).

From a wide draw Ferguson couldn’t get to the front where Da Vinci likes to race, and was left parked for the 1609 metre trip.

It didn’t matter though, because the quality three year old held on to beat Borrisokane (Sportswriter) by a head with Rakadan (He’s Watching) three quarters of a length back in third. 

“Sitting parked is never part of the plan. I thought I may have been able to cross them, but they all came out pretty hard. I slotted into the one one for a bit but that didn’t last,” Ferguson said. “This is the toughest he’s had to be. In a lot of his other wins he’s got to the front and dictated his own terms. He had to be tough today and he was.” 

Ferguson says Da Vinci’s manners are beginning to improve, helped by the trip away to Christchurch and a month’s spell.

“He was a bit of a handful. He cost himself a chance at a Group One (Ace Of Spades) when he was late scratched but he’s starting to come to it. The trip away made him into a man and the spell helped.”

DA VINCI REPLAY

The next heat of the Supremacy is on the 30th March with the last heat on 13th April. Rising star Ohoka Connor (Sunshine Beach) is set to head south for the April heat. 

“Da Vinci will go to at least one more heat and Wag Star (Sweet Lou) will also go towards a heat. I was pretty impressed with his run the other day so he’s earned a crack at those nicer ones.”

Wag Star won at the Northern Southland meeting beating a maiden field by eight lengths.

The Group Two $45,000 final for the Southern Supremacy Stakes will be run over 2700 metres on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park on Sunday 23rd April.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink