Lovemeto powers to Harness Million triumph

Dylan Ferguson enjoyed a harness racing career highlight when Lovemeto (What The Hill) powered to victory in the $75,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Three-Year-Old Trot (2200m) at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

Ferguson and his classy trotter dominated the lucrative feature, leading throughout and proving too tough for his rivals to catch in Graeme Rogerson’s famed colours.

Lovemeto was purchased by Rogerson Bloodstock at the 2021 National Yearling Sale at Karaka for $45,000 when he was offered by Breckon Farms.

Rogerson races the talented trotter with prominent Australian owners Merv and Meg Butterworth.

When Lovemeto held off the challenges of a stellar field, he helped Ferguson register his first listed race success as a trainer, as well as the first stakes success for the Rogerson & Ferguson training partnership.

“We couldn’t do it without the good horses we have got in the stable,” Ferguson said.

“We spend a lot of money at the sales and to pick off the sales race is certainly a big thrill.”

“We have had him (Lovemeto) in the stable since the sales, we broke him in and have done all of his work with him.”

“Luckily the owners are very patient men and they put him aside when he needed a break, and they can get the rewards now.”

Rogerson is no stranger to stakes race successes in lucrative events, especially with stock he has purchased in the Karaka sales ring.

Ferguson paid tribute to Rogerson for his support in their training partnership.

“Graeme has been such a big supporter of mine and I couldn’t be in this position without his support .”

“But I am lucky to have great staff and my family behind me, so it is a big team effort.”

The Rogerson-Ferguson camp will now aim their Harness Million winner at the Group One Northern Trotting Derby (2700m) later this month.

Lovemeto was trailed throughout by Kiss And Run  (What The Hill) who chased the winner hard along the passing lane in a strong second placing.

The classy three-year-olds produced a feature race quinella for freshman sire What The Hill (USA) of Woodlands Stud.

Woodlands Stud will offer a quality line up 11 youngsters by the stallion at the 2023 National Standardbred Weanling Sale at Karaka on May 25.

Aldebaran Crystal (Father Patrick) rounded off strongly to register a stakes placing with her good third in the Harness Million Three-Year-Old Trot while Southern Diamond (Creatine) fought on to take fourth after working hard in the final lap of the 2200m feature.

From NZB Standardbred