NZ HARNESS NEWS
Temporale added another big race to his resume by taking out the $50,000 Group 2 Lyell Creek Stakes at Alexandra Park this evening.
In the hands of his trainer Tony Herlihy, Temporale was given a perfect run in the one-one for most of the race and had too much speed in the run to the line.
He narrowly defied a strong late burst from star trotter Speeding Spur, who was having his first start back from an injury layoff.
Luck is everything and Herlihy said he was happy to get the cushy trip and capitalise late in the piece.
“We just got in the right spot and everything worked out for us.
“He found the line well.”
Speeding Spur was the run of the race, coming from well back in the field to get within half-a-head, the final half-mile run in 57.7 off the front.
Driver Joshua Dickie was thrilled the performance and said his horse probably would have won had things panned out better a bit earlier.
“I’m rapt with the run.
“I couldn’t quite get going when I wanted to and that was probably the difference in the end.”
Dickie said Speeding Spur copped a minor check on the showgrounds bend the last time, which slightly halted his progress too.
It was a good result all around for Herlihy, who trained The Almighty Johnson to run third in the hands of Tony Cameron.
He had trailed the leader, Lemond, throughout, and made his way up the passing lane to finish in the money.
Yagunnakissmeornot ran fourth while Australian visitor Kyvalley Blur was impressive in getting home from last for fifth.
Herlihy said Temporale would miss the Group 2 Trotters Flying Mile at Cambridge on Christmas Eve in favour of the Group 1 National Trot back at Alexandra Park on New Year’s Eve.
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Chase Auckland remained unbeaten with an authoritative performance to win the Group 2 $50,000 Alabar Classic for three-year-olds.
In the hands of co-trainer Natalie Rasmussen, Chase Auckland led all the way and clung on by half-a-head in a supersonic 2.36.4.
He was not given any peace in front by second favourite King Of Swing (David Butcher), but he rose to the occasion and saw off that challenge with ease.
Stablemate All U Need Is Faith mounted a late challenge up the markers but just missed scoring an upset win.
They headed home an All Stars Stable first five with Spankem, The Devils Own and Ashley Locaz the next horses home.
– NZ Harness News
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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