Rosie returns to Cambridge after Group 3 win

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Dylan Ferguson is riding the crest of a wave at the moment.

Last Friday he reined home Rosie to victory in the Group 3 Northern Trotting Breeders’ Stakes (2700m) for partner Jo Stevens, and two days later the couple went to Karaka where they secured three yearlings at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.

“It was certainly a massive thrill for all of us to win the mares’ race,” Ferguson said.

“It was a little unexpected, but it was a massive reward for everyone. It has been a long road to last Friday night.

“We have all put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears into her. We could have sold her early on and we were regretting that we didn’t for a long time. But we wanted to keep her to breed from in the future.

“We might have to send her to a better stallion now than what she deserved before that. She has gone up an echelon.”

Ferguson said the race’s transfer to Cambridge Raceway from Alexandra Park as a result of flood damage was a major advantage for Rosie.

“The biggest thing for her in the last month is we have wanted to take advantage of Auckland racing at Cambridge for better stakes,” Ferguson said.

“While she has gone well at Auckland before, it is not her preferred way of going. Some would say that the stars aligned when that mares’ race was transferred to Cambridge because had it been at Auckland we might have thought twice about it.”

The daughter of Peak will back-up at the Waikato track on Friday where she will line-up in the Join Us For St Pats Day Celebrations 17 Mar At AP Handicap Trot (2700m) before heading for a well-deserved freshen-up.

“She more than deserves a week off after this week,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson was also rapt with Seaclusion’s runner-up result in the Listed Harness Million 3YO Fillies Final (2200m) last week behind Millwood Nike.

The filly, who Ferguson trains in partnership with Graeme Rogerson, has placed in all three of her starts to date and her connections are hoping that she can break through for her maiden win in The Alex Bar & Eatery Maiden Graduation Final (2200m) after drawing barrier two.

“We were rapt with her. Realistically we thought she could run third behind Mark’s (Purdon) two and I think just having the draw and an economical trip was the difference,” Ferguson said.

“She seems well and should be a good chance heading into Friday.”

The Hamilton stable will also line-up Ahwel in the Many Thanks To Cambridge Raceway From ATC Handicap Trot (2200m).

“He is coming up quite well, but he is a little bit tubby still,” Ferguson said. “I know he is starting behind Maidens, but 30m is never easy over 2200m.

“He has got good manners and he tries hard, so he is not going to be far away from them. If things go his way he will be pretty hard to beat.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson was pleased with the yearlings he secured at Karaka on Sunday, including three purchases by himself and Stevens.

“We did pretty well and secured some nice yearlings. Graeme was active again and we got some pretty tidy horses for him,” Ferguson said.

“We bought one at the sales last year and it was nice to go this year and buy three. It’s all about standing on my own two feet a little bit and creating my own ownership base as well as continuing to work as a team with Graeme. We have had a lot of success together and long may it continue.”

Two of Ferguson and Stevens’ purchases were trotters and they were pleased with the quality of horseflesh they were able to acquire.

“It’s always who you are having success with at the time and what you favour. I like the trotters but they are very hard work, but it is a bit easier to buy a bit better bred horse than it is with pacers,” Ferguson said.

While the couple have had no shortage of interest in their three purchases, Ferguson said there are still shares available in two of their yearlings.

“The Majestic Son is all sold and the other two have half left in each. We are always looking for new owners and we welcome anyone at any percentage size,” he said.