Rustenburg on the rise

Three year old pacer Rustenburg (Captaintreacherous) is a good example of a horse that’s benefited from the new harness racing season.

Under the old birthday structure he would have turned four in August but with the horse’s birth date now changing on the 1^{st of} January he’s three for a few more months.

“When he arrived we had trouble with him because he was a big framed overgrown horse. As a two year old we gave him a couple of workouts and he didn’t fire at all. So we tipped him out and gave him plenty of time to strengthen up and he’s come back a far better horse for it,” driver Mark Hurrell who works for trainer Craig Ferguson said.

In today’s race Hurrell waited for the early rush before setting Rustenburg alight to take over with a lap to run.

“He covers the ground nice and has a high action. You think you’re going slower than you are.”

RUSTENBURG REPLAY

Rustenburg showed too much class at the end of the 2400 metres, winning by a length and a half.

“He’s got a motor and feels like a nice horse. He just does his own thing. He was challenged by Kirstin’s one (Fernleigh Blackbird), but he did it pretty easy. “

Although the time was a moderate 3-00.0 Hurrell said his runner just did what he had to.

“I didn’t ask too much of him and he could have gone another lap really. There’s more in store for him. We may take him up the road (Addington) and look at a race like the South of the Waitaki. If he’s going well we may even chuck in a nom for the Derby.”

Rustenburg is owned by a group of three, including former All White Ricki Herbert.

“They haven’t seen him race but I think they plan to come down for Cup Week.”

The terrific season continued for the Ferguson stable when Louies Girl (Lord Forbes) won her maiden race.

A recent addition to the stable, the first part of her season was handled by her breeder and owner Gavin Forbes.

She too was taken to the front and cleared out to win by six and a half lengths, running the 1609 metres in 1-57.4

Ferguson’s season now looks like this:  67-26-14-7   $225,895   UDR 0.5390.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink