3 minute read
Madison County wins Fusion Elect. Levin Classic Group 1 NZ$225,000 at Trentham, 1600m.
Last start winner of the New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m), Madison County had to be good from where he raced to make it back-to-back Group 1s and although tiring near the finish, proved he is the leading three-year-old in the country. He broke midfield and settled seventh (rails) past the 1200m, edged a little closer from the 800m yet needed racing room.
Jockey Matthew Cameron finally found room, getting off the fence nearing the home straight but was blocked to the 350m. Cameron saw a split four out at the 250m and drove him through, hit the lead at the 150m and looked to pull clear but tired near the line yet get the gritty half length win, his fourth (third stakes) in seven starts.
Hypnos sat outside the winner from the 600m, pulled widest but one into the straight, ranged up to be one of five chances at the 200m then kept finding gamely to the line to dead-heat for second.
Vernanme sat sixth, one out, past the 600m, was handy, four wide, turning in, one of five chances at the 200m then kept on solidly to dead-heat for second. More Wonder was second last (rails) at the 600m, had nowhere to go in the straight, pulled wide very late and flew home in a very good effort to claim fourth.