By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
Rakero Rocket has produced a huge upset at Addington with victory in tonight’s first ever Group 1 The Christian Cullen at Addington Raceway.
It was an emotional win for trainer Tom Bamford who was in shock post race.
“I’m shaking, I don’t know what is going on.”
Rakero Rocket charged out from the mobile to head hot favourite Don’t Stop Dreaming. Meanwhile arch rival Merlin was taken to the rear of the field from his wide draw.
Don’t Stop Dreaming and driver Blair Orange then went round Rakero Rocket to take the lead.
Heading into the passing lane Gavin Smith was in the perfect position and Rakero Rocket overhauled the pace-maker to give Bamford the biggest moment of his young training career.
“I was going nuts,” Bamford said of the final stages of the $200,000 Group 1.
An enquiry was held after the finish after Don’t Stop Dreaming suffered a flat tyre but it was dismissed.
Rakero Rocket paid $20 for the win, ahead of a late charging Charlie Brown with Merlin and Don’t Stop Dreaming third and fourth. It was his seventh win in just 14 starts.
Before the race the now 30-year-old Christian Cullen lead the field out, the champ getting a great reception from the Addington crowd.
Earlier, the trotting superstar that is Keayang Zahara waltzed away with the Garrards New Zealand Trotting Derby.
The Victorian three-year-old, backed into $1.05, dispatched the field with ease, winning by nine lengths and extending her unbeaten run to 14 from 14.
“Absolute freak” was the term used by commentator Matt Cross while Trackside presenter Greg O’Connor said she was “crazy good”.
No-one would argue with either description.
Driver Jason Lee was patient off the gate and settled two and then three back the running line before rolling to the lead with a lap to go.
From there the race was as good as over.
Keayang Zahara gave no one else a chance as she cleared out with ease.
It was her third New Zealand win this campaign, following on from The Ascent slot race and last week’s New Zealand Oaks.
It was as impressive a victory as you can get.
Empire City was good in finishing second, ahead of Father Patrick who was the early leader.
Post race Jason Lee said “she’s a rocket and she had plenty in reserve.”
“I’m lucky to sit behind her.”
“We always knew she was good, just not this good.”
In the open class trot Oscar Bonavena had his third win a row when taking out the Braxton Farriers Group 3 Worthy Queen.
The reigning Trotter of the Year was aggressively driven by Blair Orange to lead with a lap to go and while arch rival Muscle Mountain tried to get close Oscar Bonavena was just too good in the end, wining by more than three lengths.
Oscar Bonavena paid $2.20 for the win, his 29th in 74 starts.
What a $300,000 Garrards New Zealand Pacing Derby it was for Hayden Cullen at Addington tonight.
The West Melton-based trainer prepared We Walk by Faith to win at big odds and stable-mate Harrison John also held on for third, after going to the front.
In between the pair was Vessem, paying $14.90 for the place.
The time honoured feature was all action with Harrison John going to the lead for visiting Australian driver Cameron Hart. At one stage he bobbled briefly but still stayed in front.
Favourite Chase A Dream was well back early then improved three wide but was not a factor at the business end as We Walk By Faith got the cushy trip three back before exploding home for Craig Ferguson, as he claimed his third Group 1 win.
Vessem produced a great finishing burst to grab second, with Harrison John holding on to fill the minors – the trifecta paying $19,305.
