By Duane Ranger
The North Island’s leading junior driver, Dylan Ferguson, will be looking to increase his lead at the top of the northern premiership at the first of the two-day Manawatu Harness Racing Club’s meeting in Palmerston North this afternoon (Tuesday).
Ferguson has a nice book of six drives and rated the Brent Weaver trained Extra Guinness as his best winning chance in the fourth event – the $6,000 Bill Boyd & Associates Mobile for the R61 to R85 pacers.
“There’s only six in it and we have drawn five. It’s going to be a race of tactics. I’m really looking forward to that race because Brent (Weaver) has got the horse in peak condition at present,” Ferguson said.
Like his father Peter, Ferguson loves driving at Manawatu. Fourteen of his 50 career wins have been at ‘The Raceway’.
“It’s part of my lifestyle and I enjoy driving there. The track has given me a lot of opportunities and I’m grateful for that. Dad has also had a lot of success there over the years,” Ferguson said.
The 20-year-old Cambridge junior reinsman notched up his 50th and last win behind the Nicky Chilcott trained Razor Brogden at the Hawera Harness Racing Club’s meeting on April 15.
He also rated Razor Brogden a good winning chance this afternoon (see below).
Ferguson, who is fifth on the national junior driving premiership, has won 16 wins this season – three more than Jack MacKinnon with 13. Ben Butcher and Tony Cameron have nailed 12 and 11 wins respectively.
New Zealand’s leading junior driver, Rory McIlwrick has won 32 races in 2016-2017.
“It would mean a lot to me to be the top North Island Junior driver both in points and on the premiership come July 31. It’s going to be a tight race. There are a few chasing me and they are a strong crop of juniors this year.
“I’ll be doing my best to stay in front and hopefully the two-day Manawatu meeting this week will go some way towards achieving that,” Ferguson said.
Here’s what the Waikato horseman had to say about his six drives today:
Race 2: The Andrew Bublitz trained Shapeshifter (4) – “She went a good race at Cambridge and that was one of her career-best performances. If she brings that to races this time then she can be right in this. She loves racing and backs up well. A genuine each-way chance with luck in running.”
Race 4: The Brent Weaver trained Extra Guinness (5) – “He’s going great guns at the moment and is also racing in career best form. It’s a tricky, small field which turns it into a tactical battle. If we can fall on right side of those tactics then he will be hard to beat. Win chance.”
Race 5: The Nicky Chilcott trained Razor Brogden (7) – “He’s also racing really well and hasn’t had a lot of luck in stronger fields at Cambridge. He goes super at ‘Palmy’ and this is the sort of race that suits him. He is right in this.”
Race 6: The David Jones trained Burning Reign (4) – “He hasn’t really fired since winning his maiden here in March. He has a nice draw and if he can stay handy, and then put his best foot forward, he can finish close to them. He can spice up the First4.”
Race 7: The Nicky Chilcott trained Waingaro Mara (2) – “I over-drove him a bit last start. He is more of a one-trick-pony. With luck in the running from the nice draw he can finish on.”
Race 8: The Mark Heaton trained Rebel Richie (3) – “He has put together two good performances at Blenheim in his last two starts. He’s fallen into the right race here and with an ounce of luck wont be far away. He has placed on the track and has a good draw to work with.”
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