There’s been an upset of epic proportions in tonight’s Group 1 Dawson Harford Taylor Mile at Alexandra Park.
Mach Shard came from nowhere to nab the $110,000 feature for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan and driver Crystal Hackett, paying $155 for the win.
It was Hackett’s first Group 1.
Pre-race all the talk was on pacing’s poster boy Merlin and how he’d fare from his second line draw.
As it turned out he got the dream run behind Republican Party, who led from the ace.
It seemed it would be a match race between Merlin and Don’t Stop Dreaming, who got a great run from his second row draw.
But everything changed in the last 300 metres, with Mach Shard exploding past his rivals from a seemingly hopeless position.
The veteran pacer, who until recently was racing in Australia, was last at the 800 and second last at the 400.
The winning time for the mile was 1:53.91. Don’t Stop Dreaming was second, and Merlin third.
Hackett’s delight was clear to see post race while Barry Purdon admitted it was a surprise result, even to him.
“He’s been such a super horse but it was unexpected, and a great thrill for Crystal.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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