Fernetti a popular winner for Dalgety

First time harness racing owners and their mates nearly lifted the roof off the Addington stand as they roared home Fernetti (Sweet Lou) on Thursday night.

Carter Dalgety syndicated the three-year-old among five of his friends and three of his family members, but there were many more on track to cheer the three-year-old home in his debut win.

Not even the reinsman could escape their outstanding enthusiasm as their roars were heard when he passed the post.

“After we passed the post I heard this huge roar, it was incredible,” Dalgety said.

“I picked this horse out at the sales and brought a few mates into race him.”

“They came along to watch him and they had a few supporters come along too.”

“Between them there were a few uni mates and a few tradies and just people who flat with them around Christchurch.”

“Most of the guys in horse are first time owners and they got a huge thrill out of winning.”

Fernetti is raced by Harry Burns, Ben Wright, Logan Holland, Jack Smith and John Wright, alongside Carter, Chrissie, Laura and Maddie Dalgety.

Carter was impressed with Fernetti’s look and his pedigree at the National Yearling Sales and he secured him for $22,500.

FERNETTI REPLAY

The three-year-old is basically all-American despite being born and bred in New Zealand.

By Sweet Lou, the pacer is from the maternal family of sires Well Said and Net Ten EOM.

Dalgety describes Fernetti as a relaxed type who still has plenty to learn about racing.

“He got off the gate really nice, I wasn’t expecting him to get out so good because he is such a casual horse.”

“I haven’t really let him down in his trials and he hasn’t fully figured out what it is all about.”

“It worked out great taking a trail, but when he got through to the lead he knocked off straight away – he is that casual.”

“With a bit more racing he should switch on a bit more.”

Dalgety and Kentuckiana Lodge doubled up when Watermelon Sugar ran to victory in race 9 on Thursday night.

The three-year-old sustained a strong finish after peeling three-wide before the home turn.

“I actually thought he had no right to win from that far back,” Dalgety said.

“But he just kept attacking the line.”

“He raced all the good two-year-olds and I think that has been the making of him because he has really learnt how to race and he tried his guts out.”

Watermelon Sugar is raced by prominent North American owners Larry Karr, Mike Bruscemi and Mark Weaver, Phil Collura and Tracy Hendler, alongside champion North American trainer Ron Burke.

Burke trained Watermelon Sugar’s sire Sweet Lou, while many of the group raced and retain shares in the stallion.

Carter Dalgety made it a hat-trick of wins at Addington on Thursday night with Watermelon Sugar.

His three consecutive wins were started by Evangalist’s win in race 7.

For complete race results, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand