Conditions weren't up to much at the Northern Southland harness racing meeting at Invercargill yesterday with intermittent rain making the track slushy from early in the day.
However anyone who was lucky enough to be on course for the $25,000 Caduceus Club Classic for two year old fillies witnessed a performance by Northern Velocity that will live long in the memory bank.
Northern Velocity is a half sister to Penbrook Benny ($907,890) bred by Jordash Breeding Trust.
The big strapping daughter of Mach Three got off the gate good for young driver Matt Anderson from barrier five in the slushy conditions and worked her way to the front after 400 metres.
No sooner had Northern Velocity made it to the front, she was attacked for the lead by Chevrons Champion and Dexter Dunn and the two fillies went head to head right down the back straight before Dexter eased his filly.
Pat Campbell led the three wide line up with Gina Grace on her back through the straight with a lap to go
As soon as Gina Grace got to the death seat at the 1000 metres, driver Gerard O'Reilly pressed the go button and got three quarters of a length on Northern Velocity but couldn't cross her.
These two went head to head down the back straight with Northern Velocity upping the tempo even more passing the 400 metres mark.
Just when everyone expected Northern Velocity to come back to the field after such an arduous trip, she kicked away for an emphatic seven and a half lengths victory.
What gave the run even more merit was her winning time of 2:44.5 was a new track record for two year old fillies over the 2200 metres and it was achieved on a slushy track and after a run from hell.
Matt Anderson thought he was on the best filly yesterday and drove her accordingly.
"I wasn't planning to go to the front."
"I was in two minds actually as the first bend at Invercargill is quite tricky and you can't rush them in to it."
"She got off the gate alright and found the top easily."
"She got a little bit keen when Dexter Dunn came up and had a good look."
"I was just trying to get a bit of a breather when Gerard came around on Gina Grace."
"She wasn't going good enough to hand up to."
"My filly deserved the win," said Anderson.
Northern Velocity was so impressive yesterday that it would not be a surprise to see her take out one of the two year old fillies classics later in the season
Harnesslink Media