Da Vinci puts cup rivals on the canvas

Wyndham trained harness racing four year old Da Vinci (Art Major) is in the form of his life and his win in the $40,000 Group Three Macca Lodge Northern Southland Cup yesterday was his fourth in a row.

Trainer driver Craig Ferguson tucked in behind the Sam Ottley driven Got You Covered who took up the role of pacemaker.

“When Sam stayed in front and Ohoka Connar sat parked it played into our hands. I thought if nothing else swoops before we get to the passing lane, we were going to be pretty hard to beat,” Ferguson said.

When presented turning in Da Vinci shot up the sprint lane to nab Got You Covered by half a length.

“He’s just got that great turn of foot when you sit him in the trail like that. He’s starting to relax a bit more and not taking anything out of himself.”

The time of 3-19.8 was the second fastest in the race’s history behind Pembrook Playboy’s race record of 3-17.9.

DA VINCI REPLAY

Owned by Paul and Brendan Duffy yesterday win was Da Vinci’s eighth in just eighteen starts.

“He just keeps stepping up and the standing start was even better today. That’s a bit of a surprise for us because early in his career he was a bit naughty.”

The win was Ferguson’s ninety nineth training win and second Group success as a trainer. His other was with Da Vinci’s half sister Nutcracker in the G3 Caduceus Club of Southland/Alabar Fillies Classic in 2021.

As a driver this was his fourth Group win but first with a horse, he also trains. His other Group wins were for Trevor Cross on The Wrath Of Robyn in the G3 Four and Five Year Old Championship at Forbury Park, Macandrew Aviator for Kirstin Green in last year’s Northern Southland Cup, Flying Ellie for Nathan Williamson in the G3 Caduceus Club of Southland/Alabar Fillies Classic and Treacherous Gall in the Southern Oaks for Regan Todd.

Ferguson doesn’t have any set plans for Da Vinci, but he’ll keep the horse ticking over and map out a plan in the next week.

“He’s in a good space at the moment and we’ll keep him going while he’s like that.”

Paul Duff has been a big supporter of the Northern Southland Trotting Club over the years. His first winner Regal Lodge (Stortford Lodge) was at Gore in August 1994. The gelding won four weeks later at the Northern Southland meeting also at Gore.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink