Veterans Duel In Railway, Morgan Goes Bang In Auckland Cup
The action certainly lived up to and may have exceeded expectations for some as Auckland Cup day delivered on its promise to throw up some memorable racing. Lisa Cole had a massive day taking out both Group 1 races and one on the undercard with Big Time Kaylee. Sam Lozell picked up three wins with Shaynee, Beau Beau, and Hot Little Nancy, while Tracey and Lisa Craik bookended the program with Baseline and Portland Wonder.
Federal Morgan was simply devastating from box 8 in the Auckland Cup Final, his 29.96s final time even more spectacular considering the way he crossed in front shortly after the post on the first occasion. Morgan’s victory was the first Auckland Cup for Lisa Cole since Angvella took the race out in 2015. Little Mother won back to back Cups in 2010 and 2011, while Bigtime Kinvara made it three straight with his 2012 victory. Federal Morgan joins only Winsome Ashley in Breaking the 30-second barrier in both heat and final victory. With elite early, middle, and closing sectionals Federal Morgan is as close to a complete middle distance racer as we have seen. Know Keeper for Gary Cleeve was outstanding Coming from the back to fly into a comfortable second placing, while Drink Shoeys and La Rochelle fought out third and fourth placings for Peter Ferguson and Jason Dunn. Federal Morgan and Drink Shoeys will both compete in The Golden Chase at Manawatu Raceway on Thursday.
While there is a shortening supply of superlatives one can use for the performance of Federal Morgan in the Auckland Cup, there are even less to describe the finish that unfolded in the Qualified Pet Services Railway Sprint Final. The script could not have been written any better as a half head separated two of New Zealand’s greatest sprinters. Buddy Boom for Jared Udy and Denise Cottam took a flyer from the boxes and went out to an early two-length lead. Generally, a margin like this over the 318m journey would be insurmountable for the defending champion, but another champion in Trojan Hoarse made it into second place just before the corner from his unhelpful box draw of 7. Buddy Boom demonstrated his amazing qualities as he kicked so gallantly, but Trojan Hoarse kept finding more and picked the leader up right on the line. Both greyhounds made this years edition one to remember for a long time to come. At four and a half years old, to run a dog down like Buddy Boom in a quick time of 18.26s is something incredible. Trojan Hoarse now joins Buddy Boom and sprinting legends Swimming Goat and Hifi Allegro as greyhounds to take out both Galaxy and Railway Sprint Finals. Buddy Boom takes his stake earnings over the $100,000 mark while Trojan Hoarse closes in $250,000 with his fourth career Group 1. Nangar Hurricane Run home well to take out third place giving Peter Ferguson thirds in both of the days features.
Written by Shane Kendall
