Ferguson eyeing more success across the South Island

Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Ferguson eyeing more success across the South Island
Jonny Turner
Jonny Turner Harness Racing Journalist

With two strong winning threats at Gore, Craig Ferguson’s multi-faceted approach to the spring race can hit another high on Thursday.

Ferguson starts both Babe On The Beach and Rollon Summer from his stable at the Gore meeting, but despite being one of Southland’s leading reinsmen he doesn’t have a drive there.

Mark Hurrell will handle both horses while Ferguson heads to Canterbury with two of his stable stars who step out at Addington on Friday night.

Ferguson has been a regular visitor to Christchurch in recent weeks, mainly teaming up with Regan Todd’s team.

And his trips north have been highly successful.

“I mainly wanted to head up so I could keep driving Marketplace, and I was keen to drive Regans other horses wherever I could too,” Ferguson said.

With Marketplace returning in excellent form this spring, expect to see plenty more of Ferguson at Addington.

Especially ahead of the upcoming two-year-old features.

“I really like him, we have always driven him for his speed but when he won the Sapling Stakes he burnt early and was still able to finish it off well.”

“That is always the sign of a nice horse.”

Babe On The Beach debuts for Ferguson on Thursday after a strong recent second at the Wyndham workouts.

The trainer expects the three-year-old to go well in a race that doesn’t have huge amounts of exposed form.

“She ran on quite nicely in her last workout.”

“Obviously we have only had her for a couple of months or so and we have only asked her to step up a bit lately.”

“Everything she has done, she has done easy enough within herself, so hopefully she should go pretty well.”

Rollon Summer was a big winner of her last start at Winton, where she powered home from off the speed to win.

Though the mare steps up in grade at Gore, she has the advantage of drawing barrier 1.

“It is a rise in class but fortunately she has got a good draw.

“The way she hit the line at Winton, you would think she would have to be a chance.”

“It might depend on where she ends up from 1.”

“She has shown us she has very high speed, so she should be getting home pretty well.”

Following the Gore meeting, Ferguson starts Da Vinci and Wag Star at Addington on Friday night.