Good things take time

Harness racing owner Brian Ferns has waited a long time just to get Feta Go Fernco (Betterthancheddar) to the races. But he’s been patient, and he has a clear understanding that just like some cheeses, the mare’s breed takes time.

The five year old mare was on debut at Wyndham today for Oamaru trainer/driver Matty Williamson after qualifying in August 2022 as a three year old.

“She qualified for Matty and we brought her back to spell before jogging her up for eleven weeks. She then decided to run round the paddock and cut her front tendon. So the vet said to give her time off. I gave her 18 months off,” Ferns said.

Ferns and Oreti Beach horseman Murray Little then gave the mare a number of small preparations before sending her north again.

“She’s been at Matty’s for a short time and was quite fit when she went up. Matty’s really looked after her. I gave him a long list of things to do and he’d done everything.”

In today’s race Williamson settled near the rear of the field before improving with 1100 metres to run. From there he got a nice run on the back of Bobbie’s Majorette. Just before turning in Williamson moved his mare out three wide and she let down nicely to win by three and a quarter lengths.

FETA GO FERNCO REPLAY

Feta Go Fernco is out of Betta Go Fernco which won four races for Ferns, and her mother I’m A Star won six. The breed stems from a family developed by Southland breeder Davie Hill.

“I’m A Star also bowed a tendon when she was at Austin Stacks. I spent a bit of time and got it right again and she went back and it bowed again. After giving her plenty of time off I sent her to Geoff and Jude Knights for their pool and straight line training. She ended up cracking a sesamoid bone on Cup Day, but she’s turned out to be a great broodmare, which is great.”

Feta Go Fernco’s four year old half-brother Mick Fernco (Sportswriter) is also showing potential, proving again that the breed takes a bit of time. He’s trained by Peter Hunter at Ryal Bush.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink