First quinella for Ferguson from new base
RUNNING ninth has never been as sweet for trainerdriver Craig Ferguson than at Forbury Park last night.
However, being back in the pack in race 5 driving Rozanno did not make for a spectacular view of his first quinella from his new stable at Wyndham.
Melina Lowe won the event in Ferguson’s colours for driver Brendon McLellan, beating No More Change and Jamie Campbell.
The result produced Ferguson’s first win after he moved his training operation from Makarewa to his home town of Wyndham around two months ago.
Ferguson credited the Wyndham Harness Racing Club for recently building new facilities to accommodate new trainers.
‘‘It’s great because it is hard for young guys to set themselves up.’’
It was appropriate Ferguson’s first Wyndham win came with a pacer owned in his home district.
The victory was somewhat of a bonus for owners Paul and Brendan Duffy.
They had retired the mare after her last start for previous trainer Kirk Larsen and she looked set to wait out the winter before becoming a broodmare. Ferguson convinced the pair to give the Bettor’s Delight mare a crack at the Forbury Park winter and Melina Lowe vindicated that decision last night.
There were plenty of helping hands to help Ferguson ungear his four runners after the race.
He does not expect as many people to pitch in to help with the training of his quartet in the week ahead.
‘‘There are not quite so many when I need to clean all of this gear,’’ he quipped.
Forbury Park trainer Ray Hanson’s skills and perseverance were rewarded when Bono Hest won on his home track last night.
The trotter ran to a wellearned victory in race 6 for driver Ellie Barron.
The win, which capped Bono Hest’s solid recent form, came after the horse had overcome a series of hiccups.
Minor injuries, niggling problems and the need for gear adjustments had plagued the horse who carries his head high in a unique trotting action, Hanson said.
When complimented on how the trainer’s skills had enabled him to overcome those problems, Hanson was quick to point out his perseverance had played a part too.
‘‘He has tested my patience more than anything,’’ he said.
‘‘He has been building for a while. He has just had a few things going wrong, little problems here and there.’’
Star reinsman Dexter Dunn might not been granted a working visa in to the United States yet, but he has not been barred from the Forbury Park winners’ circle.
Dunn scored wins with Missalyssa in race 1, Command Lustre in race 6 and Marshal Star in race 9.
Junior reinsman John Morrison continued his excellent recent form at Forbury Park by winning race 7 with Navajo Art and race 8 with Selena Franco.