Final Approach continues to impress with another win at Alexandra Park

By Michael Guerin

Even by their dominant standards next Friday is looming as a big one for the North’s most powerful trotting stable of Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett.

Because Final Approach will join stablemates Hillbilly Blues and Save A Prayer in chasing feature races at the Anzac Eve meeting at Alexandra Park.

Final Approach looks one of the big movers in the lower grade ranks in the North Island after making it four wins from five starts this campaign on Friday night, his only defeat being when he galloped drawn 1 in traffic in a standing start race.

He was stunning coming from last to win two starts ago but showed a different string to his bow when he worked hard for the first 800m before surging to the lead in a Metro Heat at The Park on Friday.

Even after doing that and with the other favourites stalking him Final Approach won easily in a tick over 2:45 for the 2200m, his real time after all the ground he covered being closer to 2:44.

“He is developing nicely and if just such a relaxed trotter now,” said co-trainer Michelle Wallis. 

“He is only four so you think he would work his way toward open class.

“So he has the Metro Final next week and can then race through in the grades and he could end his season with the Golden Gait, although that is a long way off.”

While Final Approach has his Metro Final next Friday, star stablemate Hillbilly Blues will head to the Anzac Cup with Wallis willing to forgive his recent two-gallop performance in the Flying Mile at Cambridge two weeks ago.

“It was his first race left-handed for a while and he just got too stirred up and didn’t trot smoothly.

“But he has come through that well and we are actually looking forward to getting him back to stand in the Anzac Cup next Friday.”

Three-year-old stablemate Save A Prayer will have the Harness Million the same night as the stable so used to dominating Alexandra Park trotting races get to chase bigger money than usual.

Another stable having a great trotting run is the Dylan and Jo Ferguson team who made it back to back juvenile trotting wins when Apollo Eleven led almost throughout from a wide draw to win on Friday.

The son of Bold Eagle and former outstanding filly Tickle Me Pink had won the north’s first juvenile trot at Cambridge two weeks ago but was faultless going right-handed and brought a huge swarm of winning owners to Alexandra Park.

Included among his owners are the colt’s breeders and race sponsors Breckon Farms and jockey Craig Grylls, a close friend of the Fergusons, and Grylls’s good mate trainer Robbie Patterson are also in Apollo Eleven.

Their early season two-year-old trotting form is a fitting reward for the Fergusons who put their necks on the line by buying then syndicating them, bringing new people into the industry.

Runner-up to Apollo Eleven was the eye-catching Duke of Bourbon, who was eventually disqualified for gallloping too far early but showed a touch of class with his huge recovery.

His antics were one of the themes of the night as just a race earlier warm favourite Iron Mike Tyson refused to score up but punters were saved as he was later declared a late scratching while another favourite Sammy Lincoln’s manners cost him a true winning chance in Race 5.

Later in the night Harrison Orange registered his 100th career victory, coming in super quick time, when Chanel Noire made it back to back wins.