River upsets in Harness Million

Maiden pacer River (Bettor’s Delight) dented a few reputations tonight at Alexandra Park in the $150, 000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million for three year old fillies.

Trained and driven by Bob Butt, he powered River up early and took an early lead before Queen Lizzy came around to take up the running and River dropped in for the trail.

At the 400, the second half of the field was in all sorts of trouble with horses breaking and locking wheels.

Turning in, Queen Lizzy stole a small break. But River soon chased her down, going on to win by four and three quarters of a length with sixteen and a half lengths back to Smackdown in third, making it an all South Island trifecta.

RIVER REPLAY

“She’s been flying under the radar and she’s been better than a maiden. It’s great we’ve set her for this race this time in and it paid off,” Butt said after the win.

River started her career with Mark and Nathan Purdon.

“She was racing the good fillies last year. She’s a lovely filly with nice manners and coming from Mark and Nathan, she’s been easy.”

Bred by Dancingonmoonlight and out of Lady Gilpin, River was bought and originally raced by Jean Feiss before she was on-sold and leased to her new ownership group of Todd Anderson, Fleur Anderson, Sharon Lagan, Bob Butt, Bruce Tapper, Janine Anderson, Brooke Anderson, Ben Anderson, Matthew Aitken, John Anderson and Peter Aitken.

“They bought her as a broodmare for when she finishes (racing). So everything is a bonus and what a good bonus this is.”

Lady Gilpin now has a perfect record in his race with her first foal Stella Rouge winning last year’s edition.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink