Twelve months ago Hughie Green was burning up the tracks on his way to the NZ Sires Stakes final at Addington and went into that race a hot favourite.
However it all unraveled a bit on Cup Day for the huge son of Art Major when after being repeatedly attacked in front throughout the race, Hughie Green veered to the inside of the track in the home straight when tried with the whip.
Although Hughie Green came back to race with distinction at Alexandra Park after that, he just didn't quite seem the same horse he had been earlier in the season.
So instead of chasing the NZ Derby and the Harness Jewels, 'Bunty Hughes' put Hughie Green aside for the season after he finished third in the Great Northern Derby.
Reappearing at trials in the last few weeks, Hughie Green has looked much more like his old self with several impressive performances and was sent out a warm favourite in his first race back at Alexandra Park last night.
Away well for regular pilot,Maurice McKendry, Hughie Green circled the field mid race and once he found the front it was race over.
Allowed to stretch out a bit from the 800 metres, Hughie Green dashed home in 55.9 and 26.8 to win by an ever increasing 5 3/4 lengths with Maurice sitting quietly in the cart.
The run certainly impressed Maurice who is never one to get carried away about a horse.
" He did that so well without much urging from me."
" He is such a lovely horse to drive and gives you a great feel."
" Once I got the front I was pretty confident as those back markers had to do a lot of work to get handy," Maurice said.
Hughie Green has filled out between seasons into his massive 17 hand frame and looks to have strengthened up appreciably as well.
" He has certainly filled out since last year and feels a lot stronger as well this time in."
" If he keeps improving over the next month, then they may have to have a look at a race like the Auckland Cup," Maurice said.
With the open grade in New Zealand going through a transition phase at the moment, Hughie Green is more than capable of winning a race like this years Auckland Cup.
Harnesslink Media