By Jonny Turner
Craig Ferguson pulled off a trotting masterstroke at Addington last week and he’s looking to do the same again at the Northern Southland twilight meeting on Friday.
On the back of producing Smokin Bandar to beat Muscle Mountain and Sundees Son at Addington, the reinsman will attempt to guide home another smart type in a strong field.
Ferguson has picked up the drive behind the Phil Williamson trained Majestic Love in the Southland Trotting Oaks.
The filly comes into the feature event after going down narrowly to Hidden Talent who shapes up as the horse to beat again.
While Hidden Talent is stuck out in barrier 8 as she was in their last meeting at Addington, Majestic Love moves into the very handy draw of barrier 3.
“It is a great drive to pick up, she looks a really nice filly,” Ferguson said.
“She has done nothing wrong so far and she looks a good chance.”
“Drawing inside a couple of her main dangers is a help and hopefully she can take advantage of that.”
Ferguson combines again with the unbeaten Raupunga Lad in race 6 on Friday.
The three-year-old comes into the event on the back of a head-scratching trials performance.
Ferguson’s advice is to ignore that and go on the horse’s race day form.
“He had a different cart on at the trials and he hit the wheels and got keen.”
“The trials are the place to try those things.”
“He will have his normal cart back on and I would say he would be pretty hard to beat.”
Ferguson starts Sweet Treat from his own barn in race 4 on Friday.
The mare has trialled very well ahead of her Southland debut.
“Her trials have been nice and she has made good progress from them.”
“She is one on the second row but the horse outside us is unruly so there could be the option to come off.”
“She should be a pretty good chance.”
Ferguson also combines with Brookies Player and I Spy who both look outside threats at Friday’s twilight meeting.