Due reward for son of Bettors Delight

Harness racing always has its fair share of hard luck stories and one of the latest ones revolves around the smart two year old Motu Premier.

A product of the All Stars stable production line, Motu Premier has the misfortune to be in the same barn as this seasons star two year olds Chase The Dream, Lazarus and Waikiki Beach but had never missed a top three finish in his four lifetime starts prior to tonight's Sire Stakes heat.

Tonight with his talented stablemates not about, Motu Premier finally got the chance to shine on race night and didn't let the barn down with an authorative win.

Sent to the front after 400 metres by driver Natalie Rasmussen, Motu Premier got away with a couple of soft sectionals in front before Natalie upped the tempo down the back and then whizzed the last 400 metres in a very quick 26.5 to run out an easy winner by 2 1/2 lengths over Classie Brigade who trailed the whole way and Wannabet who ran on well for third on debut.

Motu Premier paced the 1950 metres in 2:26.4, a mile rate of 2:00.7 with closing sectionals of 56.7 and 26.5.

Natalie was impressed by the run.

"He is a lovely horse to drive and is getting better with the racing he's had.

"Tonight he really felt good and knuckled down to it when I asked him to run."

" There isn't that much if anything between our top two year olds and the way this boy is improving, he is more than capable of beating the others," Natalie said.

A  $100,000 purchase at last years New Zealand Premier Yearling sale at Christchurch by Merv and Meg Butterworth, Motu Premier has now qualified for the Sires Stakes final and if he continues to improve could pose a real threat to his more fancied stablemates.

Harnesslink Media