Millwood Niiiiiiiiiiiiike-just keeps doing it
Just like the popular Nike shoe brand with the slogan “Just Do It” harness racing filly Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous) keeps delivering.
In tonight’s (May 4) Magness Benrow Sires Stakes heat at Alexandra Park in Auckland the Mark and Nathan Purdon trained three-year-old filly in atrocious conditions and won her thirteenth consecutive race.
MILLWOOD NIKE REPLAY
Driver Natalie Rasmussen, reining the star filly for the first time on race night, was caught wide early, but with a lap to run, she’d taken up the pace-making role, ensuring she was free of any potential trouble. From there, Millwood Nike was a shoo-in, and she went down to the line to easily beat stablemate Fortify (Bettor’s Delight) by two and a half lengths. Fergaliciuos (Art Major) was three-quarters of a length back in third.
On an off track, the winning time for the 1700 metre mobile was 2-05.5 with the last 800 metres run in 59 seconds and 400 in 28.5.
Millwood Nike is owned by Frank Endacott, Steve Byrne, Steve Thompson, Bruce Irvine and Shane Endacott. Having done her owners proud, she will now head to the $130,000 Group One final at Alexandra Park on May 19th which is run over 2200 metres.
Of the last fourteen editions of the fillies final Purdon trained horses have won ten times. In total he’s won the race eleven times since its inception in 1991.
His first winner was Imagine That in 2003. His honour board includes Twist and Twirl (2011), Adore Me (2012), Golden Goddess (2015), Spanish Armada (2016), Amazing Dream (2019) and True Fantasy (2021).
Millwood Nike’s win comes at a time when sadly, her breeder Katie Carville is exiting the sport after more than two decades of involvement.
Carville also bred Ohoka Connor, (Sunshine Beach) another star pacer which also remains unbeaten in his six starts. Millwood Nike’s dam Albuquerque (Bettor’s Delight) is now owned by Alabar Stud and the Jordash Breeding Trust.
For complete Alexandra Park race results, click here.
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink
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