Ferguson kicks another Goal

The Craig Ferguson roll continued yesterday (Nov 08) when he won his first race on harness racing’s biggest day – Cup Day.

Southland mare Snow Robyn (Rock N Roll Heaven) was the province’s only win yesterday and Ferguson was elated to have trained his first Cup Day winner.

“It’s great to come up here and perform. It’s huge,” he said.

From a second line draw driver Mark Hurrell had few options but to take the three year old filly back and she settled in the last three. Up front Zachary Butcher with Steph’s Boy (Johny Rock) was making sure the pace was hot. With a lap to run Snow Robyn was last but she’d hopped onto the three wide train. At the 600 Hurrell got onto the back of Tom Martin (Mach Three) and with 450 to go the Southland pair set off four wide to get into the race. Hurrell got busy as the field straightened up and Snow Robyn stormed down the outside to beat Vinke B by half a head.

Ferguson said he found the race hard to watch.

“It was tough. She got back to last, then she was wide, and they were running hard. It looked like she wasn’t travelling that well. She’s super tough and just kept on going,” he said.

SNOW ROBYN REPLAY

The win also highlighted junior driver Mark Hurrell’s current remarkable run.

“He’s been driving phenomenal, so you have a lot of confidence putting him on.”

Snow Robyn is owned by Robert and Sharyn Symon and yesterday’s win was Snow Robyn’s fifth in twenty one starts. She won three races for Terry Chimel and has only been with Ferguson for a short period. She’s won both of her two starts from her new stable.

The winning time was 2-20.8 a mile rate of 1-54.4.

Ferguson will be in for another big day on Friday when he lines up Smokin Bandar (Monkey Bones) in the Renwick Farms Dominion Handicap. And unbeaten Street Art (Art Major) will be looking to make it four from four when he starts in the $25,000 Macca Lodge “Trained Southland of the Waitaki” Mobile Pace. 

“He’s super and I couldn’t be happier with him. And I expect him to go a really good race on Friday.”

Ferguson also has Da Vinci and Snow Robyn nominated for Friday.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart for Harnesslink