10 August 2021 | Ashleigh Paikos
It was a special win for the connection of Fleur Du Maquis, with the Ashcroft family thankful that she made the racetrack after the filly was plagued with problem after problem as a youngster.
Originally suffering from a hernia, her real problems started when she was kicked in the face by another horse in May 2020 during a storm. The kick resulted in Fleur sustaining a broken jaw and a cracked tooth, which eventually required the tooth being removed, but that could only be done once the fracture had healed.
“At one stage I never thought she would make it to the track due to her injury. It took about six months and a lot of patience and vet trips,”
“It was a good feeling to make it to the races with her and an even better feeling to finally get the win.” Bianca Ashcroft said.
The win was made that more special with junior driver Kyle Symington saluting for his first career win in the sulky at his 20th start in a race.
“I have been hanging out for a winner that’s for sure.” He said.
Symington, who comes from an eventing background first got his foot in the door whilst he was still at school, when he started working at the prominent stables of Justin Prentice on weekends and during the school holidays.
“It was in early 2019 that I decided I wanted to become a driver, after I has hoppled my first horse, Quick Stride.” He said.
Fleur Du Maquis claiming the win in race two as well as Kyle Symington’s first win in the cart. Photo Credit : Photography by Jodie Hallows
After settling at the rear of the field after a small indiscretion, Torrevean Amy was too good in the first, claiming the two-year-old race by a narrow margin in 2:05:8 for trainer Sam Torre and driver Mark Reed.
Reed would have been happy to get around safely after his cart malfunction on Tuesday night, but the juvenile filly managed to run down the leader in the shadows of the post, winning by a half neck and recording her second career victory at just her ninth start.
Testarudo recorded her first win for Jesse Moore since entering his stable in May. After placing consistently in her last six starts, she was last with 700m to go, but let down with a quick turn of foot to go on to win by 10.1m for driver Emily Suvaljko. In a time of 2:01:8, the three-year-old won with ease over the 2242m trip.
After racing in metropolitan company for his last three starts, Master Leighton took a step back in class and was able to get the win in race four, for trainer Graham Gilbert and driver Trent Wheeler. After settling behind the leader, he got the perfect run when Nuclear Poker galloped less than 70m from home, going on to defeat the short-priced favourite by 1.3m in 2:02:4. Owned and trained by Gilbert, the five-year-old resumed on Saturday night after almost six weeks away from the racetrack, claiming his eighth career win in just 34 starts for his connections.
Aussie Edition had a task ahead of him after settling well back in the field, but he was up to the job, running down the leader to take out the fifth by a head for Brian and Michael Ferguson. After a last start third, the four-year-old started as the $1.95 favourite and won by a head over the 2242m in 2:02:2.
After a very assertive drive by Chris Voak, Hotfoot It NZ did plenty of work to get to the lead, but it didn’t worry the impressive four-year-old, with the short-priced favourite taking out race six by 5.8m in 2:04:0 over the 2636m staying standing start. Trained by hobby, yet successful trainer Jason Woodworth, HotFoot It NZ started off the 20m handicap and made it two in a row, recording his eighth career victory in just 35 starts.
The Inwood family took out the final two events on the card, with Seven Demerits taking out race seven after knocking on the door his last few starts. Trained by Lang Inwood, the win brought up a double for Chris Voak, with the seasoned professional bringing up his ninth career win in 109 starts, recording a mile rate of 2:05:7 over the 2662m.
The last went the way of Batavia Fusion for Grace Inwood and Shannon Suvaljko, with the five-year-old mare breaking through for her maiden win at start 22. Inwood, who has had the mare for her last 10 starts has only failed to salute the judge twice since she has been in her care, started from barrier one on Saturday night and led all the way in 2:05:5 over the 1823m sprint trip.
Ashleigh Paikos
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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