Wyndham trainer Craig Ferguson has found the key for three-year-old trotter Massive Merc, (Muscle mass) and his connections were rewarded again today at the Tuapeka meeting as he stormed home to win by a nose.
It was a nervous sight for punters as Massive Merc galloped after the tapes were released.
“He trotted off. Bill Bootit started as fast as he did and he went to race him and I probably let him too. He just got a little lost,” Ferguson said.
Massive Merc lost fifty meters before he started trotting again.
“I thought it was over after that. The ones in front were running along and I thought they would be difficult to catch.”
However, it didn’t take long for him to hold on to the back of the field.
On the way home, Ferguson had to walk the gelding to make his run. He stormed home to grab permanent deputy Bill Bootit by the nose.
“He just got a little lost coming around the last corner. He does all his work on a big track and hasn’t been on a small track in a while. When I asked him to speed up, he grabbed the bit again and once I took the earphones out he really sprinted uphill. I looked closely across and it looked like I was in front of Nathan (Williamson, Bill Bootit’s driver).”
HUGE MERC REPEAT
Massive Merc was bought by Ferguson from the stable of Alan Clark.
“Mark Hurrell saw it and together with Peter Lagan we bought it for $20,000, so we were happy with that.”
The gelding is played by The Broke Boys Syndicate and local painter Daryl Olphert.
“They wanted one because they had some money there after they got a little lucky with Ah Dinnae Ken. We probably went a little bit over budget, but we were lucky enough to have Daryl Olphert come in. I haven’t seen him yet, but he’s a contractor so maybe he’s doing some work after the wind (laughter).”
Before heading south to his new stable, Massive Merc had twenty-nine starts for Clark, for a win, a second and two thirds.
“He didn’t like trotting in knee boots at first so we took them out and he’s been good. He got a bit close today on the tight track. Hopefully he can cope with putting them back on, just for safety’s sake. The good thing about him is he’s just gotten better and better and since his race at Wyndham he’s gone one step further. The plan is to give him a few more starts this time and then give him another good spell to give. He has everything in front of him. He’s pretty good. So a great horse. Once he has developed into himself, he will continue to improve.”
Ferguson has not ruled out racing Massive Merc in the New Zealand Trotting Derby.
“We had thought about taking him to Cup Week and making that his next start, but it will depend on how he continues to develop. He’s still a bit hairy and looks like a mountain goat, so he’ll tell us.”
For full race results, click here.
Through Bruce Stewartfor Harnesslink
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