Messenger win for Spankem

Rising harness racing star Spankem claimed another Gr1 victory tonight by winning the 2019 $90,000 Dawson Harford Ltd NZ Messenger Championship at Alexandra Park.

Using the same tactics as she did in last weeks Taylor Mile success, driver Natalie Rasmussen blasted off the mobile gate to grab an early lead with the showy Bettor's Delight gelding. 

It turned out to be a lead she would never relinquish. As he did last week Spankem ran along in front with no attackers and he simply had too much gas in the tank for his rivals, unleashing a sizzling last 800m in 54.3 seconds and winning by half a length at the line. 

Stable mate Turn It Up got closest again running home well for second with Mach Shard battling on well from the trail for third.

For Natalie Rasmussen it was her second straight win in the race, after winning with Eamon Maguire last year.

"He got a nice soft lead again tonight and that first lap was pretty kind," she said after the race.

"I was conscious not to spark him up, because he can get a bit keen sometimes, but he was nice and relaxed tonight so he was able to hold them off.

The winners time was 3-17.6 for the 2700m mobile.

Spankem winning the NZ Messenger

The All Stars Stables had a good night in both Islands.

As well as winning three out of the four Group One races on offer at Alexandra Park, they also picked up three races at Addington including a trifecta in the rich $161,000 PGG Wrightson NZ Yearling Sales 2YO Open, with One Chance just pipping stablemate Smooth Deal by a nose with Flying Even Bettor running third.

Ashlea Locaz also won during the night as did well bred maiden first starter Only Me.

 

Harnesslink Media