The Merc caps off big day for Dylan Ferguson

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

The Merc is the gift that keeps on giving for the Fergusons.

And appropriately his latest win came on co-trainer Dylan's 30th birthday.

Last night at Cambridge, the Royal Aspirations five-year-old secured his third win in his last six starts for Dylan and Jo Ferguson when he took out the $15,000 Cambridge Rewards Trotting Final No 2.

Before the race driver (and Dylan's father) Peter Ferguson mentioned he wanted to get a win as "one of the trainers" was having a birthday and he made good on that by getting The Merc home by a length. 

"It's always nice to pick up a win but even nicer when it's your birthday," says Dylan.

Race night duties meant there was no immediate celebration - "we will probably have a few beers at the weekend."

The Merc has now had 10 starts (and three wins) for the Fergusons after earlier being with co-owner Kaleb Bublitz and then the Dalgetys. 

"It took a while to work him out and he really had us scratching our heads," says Dylan, "but the stars have really started to align over the past eight or so starts."

Last night The Merc started off 10 metres but "Fergie" worked his way to the lead and then held off a game Mode, who made good progress up the passing lane.

"He began as quickly as he had for a while," says Dylan, "so it made sense to take luck out of the equation and go to the top."

They plan to line him up at Cambridge again soon and then maybe head to Alexandra Park. 

"While he's going well you've got to make the most of it."

Last night was the first running of the Cambridge Rewards. The series was open to four-year-old and older Pacers and Trotters rated up to R45 as of 1 September 2026. To be eligible horses had to have minimum of three starts at Cambridge between Sept 10 -Oct 22.

Trained and driven by the marvel that is Dr Luk Chin, Chesinov won the other Trotting Final, with the Pacing equivalents going to Amaretto Delight for Nicky Chilcott and Claude for the Neals, Andrew and Lyn.