Another nerve-wracking win for mare

By Jonny Turner

Though there have been some nerve-wracking moments, American Eyretime couldn’t have been more impressive in her two wins since joining Craig Ferguson’s barn.

The five-year-old made it two-from-two from her new base at Wyndham when clearing out to score impressively in race 9 at Winton on Saturday for driver Mark Hurrell.

American Eyretime produced a mammoth win first up for Ferguson and Hurrell when galloping in the score up, catching up with the field and sprinting away to win at Ascot Park last weekend.

“I was just standing there talking to Brad Williamson and next thing I look up and she’s galloping,” Ferguson said.

“It did take me by surprise a wee bit, but it was a good effort to win from there.”

This week the drama came when American Eyretime was forced into a tight spot to the inner of the leader, Lock It In Eddie, who rolled off the fence at the 700m.

Thankfully the mare made it through the situation before going on to score impressively.

American Eyretime compiled a good record for owners Robert and Sharyn Symon when campaigned out of Brett Gray’s stable.

Gray suggested the filly move to Ferguson’s barn so she could take advantage of the swimming pool at the Wyndham racecourse.

The move has paid dividends instantly.

“She had a little bit of soreness in her knees and Brett send her over so that she could do some swimming,” Ferguson said.

Saturday’s win continued a sparkling run of form over the past six weeks for driver Mark Hurrell, who also works for Ferguson.

In between his wins with American Eyretime the reinsman scored with Rocknroll Diva at Addington on Tuesday.

“It is great being at Craig’s he has got a really good team and there are plenty of nice horses to work,” Hurrell said.

Hurrell currently sits third on the national junior driver’s premiership with 18 wins for the season.

Ferguson has also been in red-hot form this term, producing seven wins from just 18 starts at the races.

One of his stable stars Smokin Bandar, who has notched two of those victories, will start at Addington both next week and the following week.

Ferguson was among the Eastern Southland trainers in outstanding form at the Winton meeting.

Lyndon Bond produced Crusher Collins to win race 1, Tony Stratford won race 2 with Betterthanarocket, Gordon and Colin Lee scored with Hes Santa’s Excuse in 4, Robin Swain won race 6 with the Big Lebowski and Alex Milne took out race 8 with Wrecking Ball.

Tony Stratford’s victory was his 200th training success in New Zealand.