Nutcracker – Sweet

Nutcracker (Bettor’s Delight) is certainly on-song at the moment and her win in yesterday’s (Mar. 3) DT King Riverton Cup was her second in the new harness racing season.

The Craig Ferguson trained pacer got her career off to the best possible start as a two year old, winning the $22,000 Group Three Caduceus Club of Southland/Alabar Fillies Classic but in four starts as a three year old she failed to place. 

“I think she was pretty well developed early, then in her three year old season she was growing a lot so we gave her a good break. When she came back in this time, she’s was a lot stronger,” Ferguson said.

Nutcracker was the lowest rated horse in yesterday’s pacing feature and that gave her an inside barrier draw advantage which Ferguson took full advantage of, speeding out of the gate and taking a trail behind Jovial Jay (Sweet Lou).

“I thought I’d be in the trail. I just didn’t know which one I’d be following but it ended up being the right one. Her high gate speed is one of her big assets.”  

The four year old was bred and is owned by Paul Duffy QSM and his son Brendan. Paul and his wife Allison were on course to receive the trophy but Brendan was away on a fishing trip with some mates.

Ferguson laughed, “I’m starting to think he’s bad luck. Every time he’s away we win.” 

Nutcracker is out of the Christian Cullen mare Rockin Cullen. He’s left three foals of racing age and they’ve all been winners. Yorokobi (Bettor’s Delight) has won four, Nutcracker four and Da Vinci (Art Major) three.

Nutcracker’s win was one of four for Ferguson. His other winners were Tayla Me (American Ideal) and Mary Mourne (Panspacificflight) for Brent McIntyre, and Flying Ellie (Art Major) for Nathan Williamson. 

It’s the second time Ferguson has won four races in one day. The other occasion was on his home track at Wyndham in February 2015 when he drove Rory (McArdle), The Wrath Of Robyn (Washington VC), My Guy Mac (Mach Three) and Christian Grey (Christian Cullen).

The day was also a good one for Nathan Williamson, who trained three winners Flyin Ellie, Hurricane Hendrix (Rock N Roll Heaven) and Ultimate Challenge (Bettor’s Delight). Hurricane Hendrix and Ultimate Challenge are owned by Gary Clarke of Oamaru.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink