It’s Tough upsets in Welcome Stakes

Harness racing trainer Katie Cox had a night to remember at Addington tonight (May 12).

The Leeston reinswoman scored her biggest win as a trainer in the $45,000 Group Two Avon City Ford New Zealand Welcome Stakes when It’s Tough (Bettor’s Delight) came with the last run to win the 80th edition of the two year old feature. 

“I didn’t want to burn too early because it was his first race. I got pushed down on the fence and then got into the one one which was ideal. We were on the back of Ricky (May driving A Little Silence), I got a good drag into it, and he found the line really well. We haven’t asked him to sprint too hard before, but he showed tonight he can,” Cox told Trackside viewers.

The winning margin was half a neck with A Little Silence (Downbytheseaside) running second and a further three quarters of a length back to Bronson (Vincent).

The winning time was 2-26.6 for the 1980 metres with the last 800 metres run in 57.4 and the last 400 in 27.3.

It’s Tough was Cox’s thirty first training win, ninety nineth driving success, her first Group win as a trainer and her third Group driving success. Her first Group winning drive was on Woodlea Legend (Grinfromeartoear) in the Forbury Park Four and Five Year Old Championship in 2014 and the second came tonight on Time Up The Hill (Muscle Hill) in the Heather Williams Memorial.

It’s Tough had two workouts and a trial and Cox was confident he would perform well on debut.

“He’s been a lovely horse to deal with and he’s stepped up every time. It was a massive ask tonight because he was up against some pretty nice horses.”

IT’S TOUGH REPLAY

Bred by Ray Reekie, It’s Tough is the fourth foal out of the Christian Cullen mare Cullen’s Mercy which won two races for Jamie Gameson and a further three for Robert Dunn. All of her foals have now won races – I’m Tough (Bettor’s Delight) 5, She’s Tough (He’s Watching) 7, He’s Tough (He’s Watching) 4 and now It’s Tough.

The horse has a large ownership group from all over New Zealand and some in Australia.

The $45,000 Group Two Sapling Stakes at Ashburton on Queens Birthday weekend is the final race for two year olds in the first half of the 2023 season. 

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink