$3,000 purchase wins Amberly Cup

Home New Zealand $3,000 purchase wins Amberly Cup

Misty Blue (Sweet Lou) purchased by Bruce Negus at the 2021 NZB Standardbred Weanling Sales for just $3,000 took her earnings past $87,000 when she won the Rangiora Equine Services Amberly Cup at Rangiora today.

**Misty Blue heading to the birdcage (Race Images Photo)**

In today’s $25,000 feature Hacksaw Ridge led with Audacity taking the trail and Misty Blue and driver Sheree Tomlinson three back on the inside.

Vessem applied some pressure but turning in, it was clear that the race was going to be fought out between Hacksaw Ridge, Audacity and Misty Blue.

Once the field straightened, Audacity’s driver Ross Cameron elected to move off the inside running line to challenge Hacksaw Ridge. That allowed Tomlinson to take the passing lane. Although Audacity was coming late, Misty Blue held on to win by a head with Hacksaw Ridge a length and a half back in third.

“She got a great trip and I hoped the tempo would go on, which it did when Olivia (Olivia Thornley driving Vessem) attacked down the back which really suited us. I knew Audacity had high speed and I didn’t think I’d run pass him. I was going to be happy with second. I didn’t turn the stick. She just did it all on her own,” Sheree said.

MISTY BLUE REPLAY

**Misty Blue and Sheree Tomlinson heading for home (Race Images Photo)**

**Misty Blue (inside) gets the decision from Audacity (Race Images Photo)**

The win was Misty Blue’s seventh at start number forty.

“She’s just performing out of her skin at the moment and we couldn’t be happier with her. She just loves it when the tempo gets put on. The last couple of runs haven’t been run to suit. She wasn’t nominated for today because we thought the field would be quite strong. When the fields came out I got a bit concerned thinking I’d have no show with some of the ones that got added.”

Trained by Ken Ford and his daughter Amanda Tomlinson, Misty Blue is named after the 1976 song by Dorothy Moore.

“Gary Anderson my neighbour liked the song so he named her,” Bruce Negus said.

**Sheree and Amanda Tomlinson (Race Images Photo)**

The ownership group is Bruce and Colleen, Gary Anderson, Debra Negus, Sheree Tomlinson and race day caller Matt Cross.

**Part-owner Matt Cross happy to be holding the Amberly Cup (Race Images Photo)**

“She’s been a great mare for us. We just love her.”

**Misty Blue and her winning connections (Race Images Photo)**

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink

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