Franco Indie smashes NZ record

Always B Miki gelding Franco Indie has obliterated the 1700m New Zealand 2yo harness racing record this afternoon at Ashburton Raceway.

On a day of super fast times Franco Indie never got it easy during his race, but at the finish was far too strong for the opposition running a scintillating 1-58.2 (1-51.9 mile rate) for the 1700m mobile.

He started from the outside of the frontline in the mobile 1700m event where driver Mark Purdon went back early while the pace was right on up front. At the half Purdon was off three wide outside the unbeaten leader Blameitonthenight and halfway up the straight had the situation well in control, eventually cruising to the line for an easy win.

“He was super today. He ran down the straight with his ears pricked on occasions and he did it well within himself.

“I am really thrilled with him. It is only thirteen days until the Cup meeting so I am looking forward to that with him,” Purdon said after the race.

Franco Indie took nearly a full second off the old record of 1-59.7 set by Alta Maestro at Cambridge Raceway in 2017.

The Purdon/Cullen stable also took out the main feature race of the day with Cup favourite Self Assured getting a narrow margin decision by a half head in the (Group 2) NZB Airfreight Ashburton Flying Stakes.

Self Assured (Bettor’s Delight) had to fight for the win after attempting to lead all the way. Even though he ran a sizzling last 800m in 53.2 seconds, the trailing horse Classie Brigade was up to the task and flashed up the passing lane to make it very interesting near the line.

Speedy trotter Muscle Mountain also set a New Zealand record today winning the “What The Hill” Ashburton Trottters Flying Sprint.

Muscle Mountain dominated the field sitting parked and toughing out a good win in the hands of Ben Hope in a time of 1-59.6 (1-53.2 Mile Rate) for the 1700m mobile event. That time took a full 2 seconds off the old record of 2-01.6 set by Lemond at Cambridge Raceway in 2018.

View the Ashburton results click here!

Harnesslink Media