Ferguson chalks up first training win

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Waikato horseman Dylan Ferguson recorded his first win as a trainer at Cambridge Raceway on Friday but it wasn’t until later on that he realised his achievement.

Ferguson has been working for dual code trainer Graeme Rogerson for the last few years as his stable foreman and was taken into partnership at the start of the season.

The newly formed partnership had just one runner prior to the COVID-19 enforced lockdown, but were quick to get on the board when harness racing resumed in the North Island on Friday, taking out the opening race, The Clubhouse Fathers Day Special This Sunday Trot (2200m), at Cambridge Raceway with Funny Face.

The three-year-old filly was having her first start for the stable and made the perfect beginning for her new barn, winning comfortably by 7-3/4 lengths.

While pleased with the win, Ferguson admitted he didn’t realise the significance of the win until later.

“It wasn’t until I went out onto the track in the next race that I realised I had trained my first winner,” he said.

“It was nice to chalk up a win on the board, I just forgot my name is in the book now.”

It was Funny Face’s first win from five starts and Ferguson believes it won’t be her last.

“She is a nice filly, she just has some funny manners,” he said.

“Everything went perfectly for her tonight. We had plenty of time and plenty of room to keep her settled.

“She is far from the finished product. She seems to have a bit of upside, so we should have a bit of fun with her.”

It wasn’t long until Ferguson added a second training win to his tally when he reined home Miss Slippers to win Betavet Handicap Trot (2200m).

“She has been a bit disappointing this preparation. She has had a few issues throughout her life so it was good to chalk up another win with her tonight,” Ferguson said.

“She got a perfect trip and dropping back to Cambridge was a big help.”

The Hamilton barn also celebrated the placing of recent stable addition Unico Gem in the Blue Do 23 September. Tickets On Sale Now Mobile Pace (1700m).

The daughter of Roll With Joe was purchased by Rogerson off standardbred.gavelhouse.com for $4,500 last month and she has quickly rewarded his judgment.

“It was a good effort from her, she stuck on really well,” Ferguson said. “I think she is going to win a couple of races for us up in the North Island.

“We mainly bought her as a junior and amateur horse and I think she has proven on tonight’s effort that she will more than pay her way.”