Nike runs them off their feet

Harness racing’s Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous) has stamped herself as an exceptional young horse with a massive future having today (Nov. 11), achieved her seventh win from seven starts.

She’s adaptable too, able to handle both travelling, and racing on left and right handed tracks, with ease.

She looked very good winning in Auckland earlier in the year for trainers Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen, but she’s gone to the next level since returning south.

“She’s got rid of the winter coat now and the trip away has done her the world of good. She’s just a top class filly,” Cullen said after the two year old won the Group One Dunstan Horsefeeds Sires Stakes Final at Addington today.

Kahlua Flybye (Bettor’s Delight) was taken to the top by driver Tim Williams and the pair kept the hammer down. Purdon and Millwood Nike stayed out of the early rush before electing to move forward three wide with a lap to run. He had just got to the parked position when Aardiebytheseaside (Downbytheseaside) came round to sit parked. At the 650 Forever Me (Sweet Lou) also came around and with Micaitlen Denario (Captaintreacherous) and Treacherous Gall (Captaintreacherous) caught three wide, Millwood Nike was locked away and in trouble. But Purdon didn’t panic and when horses started stopping around him, he eased his filly out and she pulled away easily finishing down the middle of the track.

“They were going that hard up front so there were always going to be a few holes popping up. Mark took his time, got a break at the top of the straight and with her blistering speed she was able to finish the race off nicely.”

The winning margin was two and three quarter lengths over a very game Kahlua Flybye with Aardiebytheseaside a head back in third. The winning time of 2-21.2 was a new race and New Zealand record. Amazing Dream’s 2019 time of 2-21.4 was the previous New Zealand record.

MILLWOOD NIKE REPLAY

Purdon purchased Millwood Nike at the 2021 NZ Bloodstock Standardbred National Yearling Sale for $75,000, and syndicated her to a group of stable clients that includes former Kiwis rugby league coach Frank Endacott.

“She was a bit of a head case at the start and was one you just had to take your time with. We’ve just taken our time and I’m sure in another six months she’ll be better again. Mark and Nat (Natalie Rasmussen) have always liked her from day one.

Cullen said Millwood Nike’s next assignment will the Group One Ace Of Diamond at Addington on Friday 2nd December.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink