Today’s fortieth running of the Southern Oaks was an all-Southland affair with Southern filly Treacherous Gall (Captaintreacherous) winning the $45,000 harness racing fillies feature at Ascot Park.
Treacherous Gall was bred by Dave Kennedy, who races the filly with good mate Cleland Murdoch. She’s trained in Canterbury by former Southlander Regan Todd, but the province was quick to claim it as a hometown victory.
“Dave took her to the Sales. She didn’t reach her reserve, he had a moment and didn’t bother paying up for anything, (Sales Series races) but who cares because it turned out to be the best thing he’s ever done. I would have sold the horse,” Murdoch said in his acceptance speak.
Treacherous Gall is out of Galleons Pleasure (Bettor’s Delight) which was bred by the late Gary Allen. She had a number of race day starts but was prone to losing condition so she didn’t have a prolonged career on the track.
“Gary had failing health at that stage and offered me a share, recommending that we go to Captaintreacherous and here we are today,” Kennedy added.
The win as an SBSR breeder, was particularly pleasing for Kennedy because although he bred 2009 Southland Oaks winner Beaudiene Bad Babe, (Badlands Hanover) until today he’d never won the race as an owner.
TREACHEROUS GAL REPLAY
“I can’t thank Regan (trainer Regan Todd) enough because he told us the filly had unbelievable speed. We didn’t pay up for any stakes races, we had an offer or two, but we decided she was staying and we’d target the Southern Oaks. I’m picking she’ll go out for a spell soon and we may go to the Breeders Crown. Cleland’s a very poor traveller as most of you know so we might head to Australia and see how he handles it (laughter),” Kennedy said.
In today’s race driver Craig Ferguson settled Treacherous Gall back in the field with the favourite Sweet Diamond (Sweet Lou) taking up the role of pacemaker. With a lap to run Ferguson got into the outside running line and at the 300 made his move. Turning in he was up challenging Sweet Diamond. Halfway up the home straight Treacherous Gall gathered in Sweet Diamond and went on to win by two and three quarter lengths.
“She’s stayed down (south) since her first run at Wyndham, so Craig and the team have done a great job. We just didn’t want to do the travelling this time. She’s pretty classy but I think she’s just picked a bad year to be racing with Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous) part of the crop,” Regan Todd said after the win.
For complete race results, click here.
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink