The most impressive winner on Cup Day at Ascot Park yesterday was the Nigel McGrath trained Sheriff which won the McKnight and Brown Mobile Pace.
Driver Ricky May drove the three year old colt like he was the best horse in the race – which he was. He blasted out from gate six, took the lead and went to the line untouched to win by four and three quarters of a length from Ana Malak which came from last to run second. The winning time on an off track was 2-40.2.
“It was a pretty easy drive really- he just went super. He was jogging all the way to be fair. He’s got a bit of a future this fella. If he keeps improving he’ll be right up with the top ones,” said May.
Heading back – Photo Bruce Stewart.
This was the second time May has driven the colt. He also drove him when he ran sixth in Chase Auckland's PGG Wrightson New Zealand Yearling Sales Three Year Old Final.
“He drew bad, had no luck and he ran on really strongly.”
May says that Sheriff will make an ideal Southern Supremacy Stakes runner for McGrath later in the season.
Winning connections with sponsor Bernie Brown – Photo Bruce Stewart.
Like Maverick, he was also bred by Ken and Anne-Marie Spicer. He's out of the Christian Cullen mare Jen Marie. The Spicers are offering a half-brother by Art Major in next month's sale in Christchurch. His name is El Dorado.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing