Duchess Megxit - Oaks royalty

The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan trained Duchess Megxit (Sweet Lou) joined harness racing royalty when she easily won the Group One $225,000 Tennant Engineering New Zealand Oaks at Addington tonight.

Although a lot of punters weren’t sure about her draw in the fillies feature but driver Zachary Butcher wasn’t fazed.

“When the draws came out I spoke to Scotty and I was really happy with the draw. It took the chances of us burning early out of it, which I thought was always going to suit her,” Butcher said.

Butcher settled the filly well off the pace and got a run into the race inside the last 800 metres on the back of Classic Elegance.

“I said to Johny (John Dunn driver of Classic Elegance) after the race that it took a bit to get to you, but she’s got such a high cruising speed. Once she got to Classic Elegance she drove away in that last little bit. That’s what you love so much, her will to win.”

At the end of the 2600 metre trip the winning margin was a length and a quarter with Classic Elegance running second.

DUCHESS MEGXIT REPLAY

The three year old filly is owned by a large group of owners – the Patterson Bros Racing Syndicate, Centaurus Syndicate, Par Then Bar Racing Syndicate and the Elton’s John Syndicate.

“It was great to win for all the owners. I gave them a wee thumbs up after the line. They’re a great group and loving it. That’s what we need in racing. Super special to get that win for them.”

Purdon has now won the Oaks four times. His other winners have been Ideal Belle (2014), Cheer The Lady (2012) and Pacific Flight (1993) while it was Butcher’s third win in the fillies feature. His other winners have been Ideal Belle and Cheer The Lady, both trained by Purdon.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink