Eurostyle wins The Dark Horse

Yaldhurst trained trotting mare Eurostyle (Orlanda Vici) proved too good in the inaugural Group Three The Dark Horse at the Invercargill Harness Racing Club meeting at Ascot Park today.

The five year old mare who’s trained by Derek and Adele Jones began well from the 10 metre mark and got into the outside running line early with Nubliah Chamay and Rush taking turns up front.

“I ended up a bit handier than I thought,” driver Kim Butt said.

With a lap to run Butt took her mare up to sit parked outside leader Rush.

“I was able to whip round easily. She jumped back onto the bit and was travelling pretty good the whole time.”

Shortly after straightening up, Eurostyle hit the front and Rush rolled into a gallop leaving Eurostyle to go on and win by three lengths with Rata coming out of the pack for second.

“She did it easy and I didn’t pull the plugs. I had the stick round to keep her on the job but she did it with plenty left in the tank.”

EUROSTYLE REPLAY

The winning time for the 2200 metre stand of 2-47.2 was a new track and a Southland record, lowering Spotlight The Valley’s 2017 record of 2-48.8.

“She’s up there with the best ones I’ve driven and I can’t thank Derek, Adele and the other part owner Sandi Cunningham enough for giving me the opportunity to drive a horse like this.”

Eurostyle currently sits in nineteenth place on the Renwick Farms Dominion Handicap leaderboard and the win could move her into the top fifteen which would allow her to start in the Cup Day feature.

“That could be the immediate goal and I’m happy to go along for the ride.”

It was a good return to form for Eurostyle. After running second in the D. G. Jones Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup she was disappointing at Methven, finishing thirteenth when favourite.

Derek Jones told Harnesslink during the week that tests indicated she may have been tying up so she was kept off the grass during the week.

“They told me she was back to her best and was working as good as ever. She’s had a couple of days down here with Craig Ferguson, so he’s obviously done a good job with her as well.”

It was the mare’s seventh win in just twenty two starts.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink