Millwood Nike stamps her class in Group One Oaks

Harness racing filly Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous) underlined her class and versatility when she won tonight’s (Mar. 25) $90,000 Group One 2023 Pascoe the Jewellers Northern Oaks at Alexandra Park in Auckland.

The classy filly had to adapt to a good number of changes as the 2700 metre race unfolded.

“It didn’t work out exactly as I planned,” trainer driver Mark Purdon told Trackside presenter Nicole Sims after the race.

From barrier three Purdon took Millwood Nike forward to take the lead from Twist Little Girl (Vincent). But Dylan Ferguson and Wicked Wanda (Sweet Lou) had designs on the lead, getting to the top with two laps to run. 

“Dylan turned up pretty quickly and aggressively. It wasn’t the way I expected it to turn out, but it was okay in the long run.”

Purdon wasn’t prepared to stay trailing with the possibility of getting locked in, so he pushed off the inside to regain the lead. Halfway down the straight he reined up his champion filly and although Diamonds Are Forever (Always B Miki) came hard late, Millwood Nike held on to win by a length and a half.

“She’s just beautiful to drive so kind of works in with you. If you want her to leave the gate she will, or if you want to come out nicely she will.”

MILLWOOD NIKE REPLAY

The time of 3-23.3 was well outside the race record of 3-16.4 held by 2019 winner Best Western (Bettor’s Delight).

Purdon has won nine of the last twelve Northern Oaks. His previous winners were True Fantasy (2022), Bettor Twist (2021), Amazing Dream (2020), Elle Mac (2018), Partyon (2017), Piccadilly Princess (2016), Adore Me (2013) and Twist And Twirl (2012). 

The progeny of Bettor’s Delight continue to dominate this race and have won the last eight Oaks.

It was Mark Purdon’s 238th Group One win and the first for the new training partnership of Mark and his son Nathan.

“It’s wonderful. He’s doing a great job at home. We talk every day about the team and how they’re going. It’s wonderful having him with the experience he got while being away.” 

Mark’s first Group One was with II Vicolo in the 1995 New Zealand Cup.

130 of his Group One wins were with Natalie Rasmussen, 45 with Grant Payne, 43 under his own name and 19 with Hayden Cullen.

The win took Purdon’s career stakes earnings to over $65 million. 

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink