New recruit wins for Ferguson

Despite being a new recruit to Craig Ferguson’s harness racing stable, Zeke (Imperial Count), got the business done at Winton today (May 25).

Ferguson took the four year old trotter to the front early on and he won easily by three lengths from Stella Bay.

ZEKE REPLAY

Owned by Motukarara horseman Stephen McNally and his long-time client Cedric Coll, Zeke’s best placing for McNally was a fifth at Timaru.

“Stephen liked him but he just had a quarter crack so he’d gone as far as he could working around the track all the time. He thought the horse needed a bit of time in the pool,” Ferguson said.

He added “He certainly wasn’t an over the line winner. It was the first time I’ve had a spin on him. Mark (Hurrell) has done all the work with him. I didn’t know whether he would step away and do everything right, so the end result was pleasing. From what I’ve seen on him at home he’s been a solid trotter once he’s got going.”

Ferguson says Zeke is enjoying the change of environment.

“The swimming is taking the strain off his feet and giving them a chance to heal up. They’re not quite a 100% but they’re certainly a lot better than they were. From what I’ve seen of him and what he did today I think he’ll go and do a nice job.”

So, what’s next?

“I’ll have a chat to Stephen to see what the plan is. I’d be inclined to give him a wee break and let his foot heal up. When you work with a horse that’s fully sound, he’s probably going to do a better job.”

Zeke is out of Pheobe Revival (Wrestle) which won nine races and left El Conqueror, (Sebastian K) the winner of seven for Paul Nairn.

As an aside, a race after Ferguson used the cart to win with Zeke, its luck ran out when Glenkenick dislodged driver Hayden Douglas, took off and dragged the cart around the track to the birdcage fence. He was rounded up by Winton horsewoman Chelsea Faithful and the Southern Crash Crew.

Bad luck for cart owner Jeremy Douglas. Both tyres were peeled off.

Back to Ferguson – he’s happy with stable star Wag Star (Sweet Lou) which won impressively at Rangiora last Sunday.

“He went up there (Canterbury) for the Uncut Gems and last Sunday’s race was a bonus. He’ll go out for a break now and we’ll bring him back in the springtime. From his last prep to this one he’s certainly filled out but there’s still a bit more room there. The more time he has the better he’s going to get.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink