Masterly drive gets McGoogan home in ‘The Sundon’

Young trotter Master McGoogan (What The Hill) demonstrated his speed off the gate for Matty Williamson tonight.

From the outside of the front row in tonight’s $50,000 Group Three Greg and Leigh Ayers ‘The Sundon’ Two Year Old Classic at Addington, Williamson pushed the go button early and while second favourite Duke Of Bourbon galloped on his inside, Master McGoogan trotted forward, took the lead and it was race over.

“In his trials he’s always shown real nice gate speed but he was getting a bit fired up for a period so I made sure I took him back in all his races. It was always going to be there the day we wanted it and I thought today was the race,” said Williamson.

His completely dominating display translated to a three and a half length win over outsider Out Of Sequence.

“He relaxed really well, went to sleep and he’s a very fast horse. I thought, they’re going to have to be fast to come from behind.”

 

The winning time was 2-30.9 with the last 800 cut out in 58.2.

Master McGoogan is owned by Williamson’s wife Charlotte and Craig and Tania Heyrick.

“He’s a beautiful wee horse and I knew he’d take benefit from that first up run. He’s come back really good and keeps doing everything you ask of him. I’m real proud of him.”

Master Mcgoogan put the foot down and no one could catch him ⚡

The Matthew Williamson trained and driven 2YO was never in danger, winning the Gr.3 'the Sundon' Trot comfortably.

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The beautifully bred Tactical Bid (Tactical Landing) also won earlier in the night for Williamson.

While Luvavici, Donna’s Boy and Tetrick all applied pressure in the 2600 staying test, Tactical Bid sat back and once he balanced for the run to the line, Tactical Bid powered over the top of his rivals to beat Donna’s Boy by a neck with Tetrick a head back in third.

“It was a brilliant effort. They started cranking with a lap to go and that gave us a chance, but he still had to be really good to win that. He was starting to be all out at the end but it’s the gait that’s the worry, so I was a bit worried trying to ask him for too much. I didn’t want him to jump out of his gear. To his credit, when I did push him over that last bit he did stay in his gait.”

Tactical Bid is out of the unraced Pegasus Spur mare Habibti Sadie who is a half sister to Habibti, Habibti Ivey and Habibti Inta.

Williamson is the horse’s third trainer in thirteen starts. He began his career with Regan Todd before Bob Butt took over the reins. Williamson has had the five year old for two starts and two wins.

Marketplace (Bettor’s Delight) made a successful return to the racetrack when he dominated the finish in the NZI Insurance, Peace of Mind for NZ Businesses Chairmans Handicap.

After a brilliant beginning and leading early, driver Craig Ferguson handed to the right horse It’s Tough.

“He made an absolute flyer. He sort of gave you the impression that he would after his trial and his private run the other day,” Ferguson said.

Turning in, Marketplace showed his brilliant turn of foot, exploding up the passing lane to run down and beat It’s Tough by three quarters of a length with Republican Party running a slasher fresh up, three and three quarters of a length back in third.

“It’s always good to follow Johnny (John Dunn driving It’s Tough) because he likes to stay in front. It worked out super.”

The winning time was 3-11.6, a 1-58.5 mile rate for the 2600 metres. The last 800 was sliced out in 54.2.

“I knew it was a pretty good half, but he’s just got such high speed. He probably switched off a little bit once he got through. He felt really sharp tonight. Since the Aussie trip he’s come back a little bit sharper which is very exciting.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink