Harness racing trainer Graeme Anderson probably remembers Barry McGuire singing The Eve Of Destruction.

The Anderson trained Eamon Maguire wasn't on the eve today, he was out there destroying some pretty nice three year old colts and geldings in the Group Two Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Final on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park. 

After sitting back early, driver Dexter Dunn moved the Art Major gelding forward with 1400 metres to run to sit parked outside leader Major Hippie. At the 450 mark Dunn urged Eamon Maguire forward. At the top of the straight he had Mongolian Storm on his back. But then in a spurt of speed he was gone and headed down to the post to win by four and a half lengths. Mongolian Storm was second and Whittaker, which was taken back by a tiring Major Hippie, got going again to run third.  

Returning to his winning owners and trainer          – Photo Bruce Stewart.

The win caps off the geldings fine form. His third in the Diamond Creek Farm New Zealand Derby proved a reliable guide to his winning of today's feature.

“Always a bit of a worry coming back from the Derby but he obviously has handled it. He doesn’t take any work so it makes it easy. He's never missed a beat. As Bart Cummings said once 'when you get there don’t change anything.' One quiet hopple run in three weeks is all he’s done to get here,” said Anderson.

His time of 3-19.1 equalled the race and track record held by 2009 Supremacy Stakes winner Highview Tommy. The time was just .1 of a second outside Sushi Sushi's  New Zealand record of 3-19.0 recorded at Alexandra Park in 2011.

It's the second time Dunn has driven the winner of the Supremacy and the Southland Oaks on the same day. His last 'double' came in 2012 when he drove Gaylee's Delight to win the Oaks and Texican to win the Supremacy. 

“I said to Dexter today you're the world champion so I’m not going to give you any instructions. He drove him nicely but the horse was just a class above them in the finish.”

Eamon Maguire has strong Southland connections with Anderson and co-owner Steve Pulley growing up in the province while another owner Pauline Gillan resides in Winton. 

Winning owners with sponsors           –  Photo Bruce Stewart 

They share in the ownership with Brian Sceat, Ray Chalklin and Tony Gow.

Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing