By Jonny Turner
Relief was the overwhelming emotion driver Ricky May felt after A G’s White Socks ended his season with a swooping win in the Rangiora Classic on Sunday.
A vintage May drive helped the Greg and Nina Hope trained pacer reel in Thefixer to win the $30,000 group 3 feature.
The victory meant the Rock N Roll Heaven five-year-old would go to the paddock on a high note before he is prepped for a New Zealand Cup and Interdominion campaign.
A frustrating season meant A G’s White Socks was in the winner’s circle for just the second time this term on Sunday.
The pacer had to settle for second placing seven times this season, with six of those coming via just a head or a nose margin.
“I was wrapped for the horse and everyone today, he really deserved that,” May said.
May landed A G’s White Socks an early one-one sit, before settling him off a good speed set up by The Fixer and Alta Orlando, who duelled in the lead over the last lap.
The reinsman pulled A G’s Whitesocks out for his finish on the point of the home bend, and he went whoosh.
“He really sprinted hard today, he has been doing that lately.”
“That is the way we are going to have to drive him.”
“He can really fly off the gate and he can do work, but when he is saved up like that he is even better.”
Thefixer fought hard after leading and was denied by just a nose at the finish.
Chase Auckland and Ashley Locaz both produced good warm up runs ahead of the upcoming four-year-old features at Alexandra Park when running third and fourth, respectively.
Didjabringthebeers continued his march through to open class by winning the feature trot at Rangiora on Sunday.
Kimberly Butt gave the John Howe trained five-year-old a perfect run in the trail and he scored his fifth win of the season.
Amaretto Sun showed he was on track for a tilt at the Rowe Cup with a solid second placing.
His stablemate, Marcoola, provided the shock of the race.
The Dominion winner hit the wheel of fourth placegetter, Habibti Inta, and galloped before the home turn.
Driver Clint Ford was fined $300 after the incident.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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