Auckland Reactor gelding gets his first win

It's taken not quite a season, but Ardtoo finally lived up to the potential Wyndham trainer Russell Ferguson always knew was sitting there.

"We really liked him as a two year old. We had him set for the Kindergarten (Stakes) but it came undone that day. We turned him out straight away and he's come back as a better three year old. I think he'll be better still in the Autumn," said Ferguson.

After sitting wide early, the three year old Auckland Reactor gelding held on easily to win his maiden race at Ascot Park today(Saturday).

Ardtoo which is owned by Ferguson and his wife Susan was driven by son Craig making a family affair.  

"I work my horses on their own. They don't get company. Craig and I swap horses over every now and then. It helps turn them into race horses."  

Ardtoo (5) and Craig Ferguson beating TC Business (8) and Dexter Dunn – Photo Bruce Stewart

It was a good change of luck for horse, trainer and driver as a fortnight ago on the same course Ardtoo went over the top of Jennys Rose and driver Shane Walkinshaw in a nasty accident that saw Walkinshaw taken to hospital. 

"He (Ardtoo)came out of that good. Craig did exceptionally well to hold onto him. I gave him a workout last weekend and didn't ask him to do anything. He handled that really well so there are no long term effects."

Ardtoo is the last foal out of the Dream Away mare Tobetoo. 

"I bred his mother and his grandmother. His mother could really run but she had a wind problem so we retired her from breeding. She had a Washington VC filly but she was small so I gave her away."

Winning connections – Photo Bruce Stewart.

Ferguson doesn't train many but likes a Betterthancheddar two year old which is out of the Mach Three mare Warp Speed which won three races. He bought the gelding at last year's sales for $15,000. Named Bottle Rock he's closely related to Il Vicolo and Stunin Cullen. 

Today's win was the trainers first since Ohbeoperative won at the Riverton meeting in October 2007. 

Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness racing