By Tayler Strong
Graeme Anderson wrapped up the trainers’ competition for a ton of Pryde’s EasiFeed at the Forbury Park winter meetings with four wins from as many starters on Thursday night.
Anderson won with Eamon Maguire, Hopes And Dreams, Expresso Martini and Arden’s Concord to top the competition table with 10 wins, four seconds and three third placings from 29 starters at the seven meetings since May 26.
His UDR was .4559. It was his third win in the competition in three years it has been run.
Hopes And Dreams, having her first start since joining the stable six weeks ago, was driven by Nathan Williamson, who took his tally to 99 for the season when he drove Blazing Under Fire in the next race.
It is almost certain Williamson will bring up the century driving Luisanabelle Midfrew in a heat of the Australasian Breeders Crown, a non-tote race, at Addington on Friday night.
Luisanabelle Midfrew has one rival, Glenferrie Classic, who finished seventh at Forbury Park. Williamson has the drives on Jeddy R Ya Reddy, Monnay, Gangnam Style, Ranfurly Rulz and Madam Spur later in the night at Addington.
Dexter Dunn drove the three other Anderson-trained winners.
The 2yr-old Eamon Maguire made a big impression when having his first start.
He settled 11th in a 14-horse field after starting from the second line.
He improved three wide with cover from the 700m, showed up four wide into the straight and won comfortably by a neck.
Eamon Maguire qualified at Forbury Park on May 14. He is by Art Major and the second foal of Kim Maguire (by In The Pocket). He was bought for $34,000 by Anderson and Wendy Muldrew at the 2015 premier yearling sale.
The ownership was reorganised last week and he is now raced by Anderson, Brian Sceats, Ray Chalklin, Stephen Pulley, Tony Gow and Pauline Gillan.
Muldrew, who took up the position of chief executive officer of Canterbury Country Harness Racing (the Rangiora and Banks Peninsula clubs) at the start of the July, is in the ownership of Arden’s Concord.
She is based at Rangiora.
Arden’s Concord made the pace and sped over the 2200m (mobile) in a 1.57.3 mile rate in his fourth win.
Expresso Martini toyed with his rivals to post his third successive win. He was last of eight until the 600m, improved three wide through the field to lead at the 300m and came clear by seven and three quarter lengths.
Warren Stapleton trained his first winner for close on three years and the occasion was recognised by junior driver John Morrison, who drove Topnotch Eagle.
Morrison gave a salute as he passed the finish line.
“That (salute) was just for Warren. He hasn’t been that well lately and he has been good to me giving me drives,’’ said Morrison.
Stapleton did not attend the meeting and his son, Deane travelled with the four-horse team from Rakaia.
“Dad has been unwell and I have been back helping out with the team,’’ said Deane. “The win will really give him a boost.”
Topnotch Eagle finished boldly from three back on the inner to win a C0 trot at his eighth start.
Stapleton shares the ownership of the 4yr-old with Jimmy and Alister Veint and W J Tuckey. Topnotch Eagle is a half brother by Skyvalley to Topnotch Dream, who won a group three International Trotters Monte at Menangle. Stapleton won the 1988
Rowe Cup with Highwood and good trotting races with Cedar Fella and October Pride.
Trainer Amber Hoffman posted her first win since shifting to Waikouaiti at the end of May when Mossdale Sue prevailed.
“I only got the horse nine days ago so I can hardly take the credit,’’ she said. Mossdale Sue, a sister to Mossdale Conner, was transferred from the Hope stable at Woodend Beach to give her easier opportunities.
Four Starzzz Shiraz was claimed for $7500 by Gerald Cayford, president of the Forbury Park club after finishing third and Ideal Denario (fifth) was claimed for $2500 by trainer Wayne McEwan, of Branxholme (Southland).
Four Starzzz has joined the Waikouaiti stable of Billy Heads.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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