Although there have been some nerve-racking moments, American Eyretime could not have been more impressive in her two wins since joining Craig Ferguson’s barn.
The 5yr-old made it two from two from her new base at Wyndham when clearing out to score impressively in race 9 for driver Mark Hurrell.
American Eyretime produced a mammoth win first up for Ferguson when galloping in the score up, catching up with the field and sprinting away to win at Ascot Park last weekend.
“I was just standing there talking to Brad Williamson and next thing I look up and she’s galloping,” Ferguson said.
“It did take me by surprise a wee bit, but it was a good effort to win it from there.”
This week the drama came when American Eyretime was forced into a tight spot to the inner of leader Lock It In Eddie, who rolled off the fence at the 700m.
Thankfully, the mare made it through the situation before going on to score impressively.
American Eyretime compiled a good record for owners Robert and Sharyn Symon when campaigned out of Brett Gray’s stable.
Gray suggested the filly move to Ferguson’s stable so she could swim in the pool at the Wyndham racecourse. The move has paid dividends instantly.
“She had a little bit of soreness in her knees and Brett sent her over so that she could do some swimming.”
Saturday’s win continued a sparkling run of form over the past six weeks for driver Mark Hurrell, who also works for Ferguson.
In between his wins with American Eyretime the reinsman scored with Rocknroll Diva at Addington on Tuesday.
“It is great being at Craig’s he has got a really good team and there are plenty of nice horses to work,” Hurrell said.
Hurrell sits third on the national junior driver’s premiership with 18 wins for the season.
Ferguson has also been in red-hot form this term, producing seven wins from just 18 starts.
One of his stable stars, Smokin Bandar, who has notched two of those victories, will start at Addington both next week and the following week.
Ferguson was among the Eastern Southland trainers in outstanding form at the Winton meeting.
Lyndon Bond produced Crusher Collins to win race 1, Tony Stratford winning race 2 with Betterthanarocket, Gordon and Colin Lee scoring with Hes Santa’s Excuse in 4, Robin Swain winning race 6 with the Big Lebowski and Alex Milne taking out race 8 with Wrecking Ball.
Tony Stratford’s victory was his 200th training success in New Zealand.
