Passion on display in PGG Sales Final

When it comes to people being passionate about harness racing, Canterbury owner John Mooney would be up there with the best.

John wears his heart on his sleeve for all to see and in the countdown to last nights $150,000 PGG Sales Final at Addington Raceway he was struggling to control his emotions.

Not only did John have a runner in the race but he had a serious winning chance in the well performed filly Luisanabelle Midfrew and he was nervous to the point of distraction.

From the time John took her home from the yearling sales at Christchurch, the daughter of American Ideal had faced one hurdle after another in her racing career.

" I had just sold Libertybelle Midfrew to Perth and she was going through the sales ring when Matty Williamson texted me to say what a great looking filly she was."

"On the spur of the moment I decided to keep her."

" When Nigel McGrath sat behind her for the first time, the first thing he said to me when he hopped out of the cart was that keeping her was the best decision I had made in a long time," John Mooney explained when speaking to Harnesslink last night.

Second to Arden's Choice on debut and then subsequently second to Dream About Me in the $138,000 New Zealand Sires Stakes Final at Alexandra Park, Luisanabelle Midfrew was expected to be a big player on Harness Jewels day at Ashburton but failed to flatter at any point,finishing twelfth.

"She was really sick at Ashburton and she was very lucky to survive,

"She had an attack of small intestine colitis and it was touch and go for a while."

" Just when it seemed she was on the mend,she had a relapse and all but died for a second time," John said.

Trainer Nigel McGrath knew he faced major hurdles getting Luisanabelle Midfrew back to best form but nursed her through her first few runs back on the track.

" The whole aim of this campaign was the Sales Race and I didn't want to put her under any serious pressure leading into that race.

" She may have looked disappointing to people at times but we were working to a plan to have her spot on for one race.

" I stepped up her workload in the last three weeks and her work leading into last nights race had been super," Nigel said.

Away well last night for regular driver Matty Williamson from barrier two, Luisanabelle Midfrew led for the first 700 metres before handing up to the well supported front runner Killer Queen.

From there she looked to travelling as good as anyone and when the passing lane appeared, Luisanabelle Midfrew was through in a flash and quickly put the race beyond doubt, coasting down to the line an easy winner.

" Nigel had her spot on tonight, she felt the best she ever has."

" The plan was to lead early and then hopefully hand up to Killer Queen who would get us to the passing lane and and the plan worked a treat."

"I couldn't believe how easily she was travelling off the back straight."

" She knocked off a bit when she went clear but she had plenty left in the tank at the finish." Matty said.

Nigel McGrath was full of praise for his trainee.

" She has been through so much but she is a very smart filly and it showed tonight."

" Going forward we just have to look after her and not knock her about too much."

" Something like the Southland Oaks is probably better for her at this stage of her comeback than taking on the very best," Nigel said.

John Mooney post race was like a man who had just won Lotto, with the excitement of the win written all over his face.

It was great to see that harness racing can still excite such passion.

Harnesslink Media