By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Punters were left in awe of High Energy after her heroine-like performance in winning the Group 1 Canterbury Spa & Pool Ace Of Hearts 2YO Filles Mobile Trot (1980m) at Addington Raceway on Sunday.
From her wide draw (7), High Energy was eased off the gate by co-trainer and driver Mark Purdon but was stuck three wide behind The Fiery Countess, where they were forced to remain.
Heading into the back straight Purdon elected to make his move four-wide and was able to find the back of The Ivy League, who gave the pair a cart into the race.
Despite expending a fair amount of energy during the running, High Energy lived up to her name down the straight and found a new gear to flash by the leaders and post a remarkable 2-1/2 length victory and beating her own New Zealand record in the process.
“It was a great run. It didn’t go to plan, but she was good enough to overcome it,” said Purdon, who trains in partnership with Hayden Cullen.
“I tried to get one off the markers but the horse’s legs were just there so I had to come back out.
“The horse I was following (The Fiery Countess) was going nowhere, so I thought ‘once we get into the back I will just have to take my chances and make a move’.
“I knew the possibility that I could be racing wide from then on, but I was lucky enough to get cover off Blair Orange down the back and around the corner, and that was probably the difference in winning.
“Around the last corner she picked the bit up and I thought ‘she is going to win this’. She gave me great confidence and she won on her own.
“She is a great little trotter.”
With the victory, High Energy joins her dam High Gait as a Group 1 winner, cementing her spot in the breeding barn.
Bred and raced by Breckon Farms, High Energy extended her undefeated record to five, with her victories including the Group 3 2YO Trotting Stakes (1980m), Group 2 Sires’ Stakes 2YO Championship (1980m), and now the Ace Of Hearts.
