Ticker tape parade for Wyndham?

It’s doubtful the small town of Wyndham has ever had a ticker tape parade, but there could be one on the cards now, with the Regan Todd trained Marketplace (Bettor’s Delight) taking out the $200,000 Group One Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Series Final at Addington today.

Todd and harness racing driver Craig Ferguson were born in the area and are good mates.

Both of them worked at Brendon ‘Snow’ McLellan’s stable, and it was Todd who gave Ferguson his nickname ‘Bubba Snow’ after McLellan. The name has since been shortened to just Bubba.

“Everyone down south will be going off. It just shows you that two boys from down south working hard can win a Group One,” Todd said.

The win was special for Ferguson, achieving his first Group One winning drive, and doing it with Todd into the bargain.

“It was unbelievable really,” Ferguson said with a lump in his throat.

Marketplace was purchased as an unnamed colt for $100,000 from Barron Bloodstock by Todd and Phil Kennard at the NZB Standardbred Sales in 2023.

In today’s juvenile feature Ferguson hunted Marketplace off the gate from his wide draw running a lead time of 23.1.

“He came off the gate really well. Regan has been happy with him this week and I thought I’d drive him like the best horse,” Ferguson said.

He then backed off the speed before handing up to Rubira and driver Blair Orange.

“I’d done a lot of work so I was pretty keen to take cover. At that stage of the race I was confident Blair would stay there. It was a good horse to follow.”

As the field straightened for the run home Marketplace had to call on all his reserves to run down Rubira, but he won by a neck with Demon Blue a length back in third.

“He’s got super speed and the fact that he can do that after working so hard early he’s just a wonderful horse.”

MARKETPLACE REPLAY

The last 800 metres was run in 57.8.

“He had to be super again today. He got the flat tyre before the start and he wasn’t really happy about it but to his credit he managed to pick himself up and he’s gone phenomenal,” Ferguson said.

Todd’s distinct colours were first used by his late Grandfather Ray Todd who trained at Wyndham, so there’s plenty of history behind the win.

“Mum and Dad will be going nuts at home. We’ve got the whole family round there and TR (Tony Barron) who bred the horse. I’m speechless really. After that lead time I thought he was history but he’s a super wee horse,” Todd said.

Todd has now won nine Group races. His first Group One win was with Bettor Talk Art in the 2022 New Zealand Breeders Stakes.

Marketplace is owned by Glenys and Phil Kennard, Peter Baken, Graeme Beirne from Small Car World, John Magness and Todd.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink