3 minute read
Surely Sacred wins Schweppes Avondale Guineas Group 2 NZ$100000 at Ellerslie, 2100m.
Against many of his upcoming NZ Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) opponents Surely Sacred stayed best, taking his fine record to three wins (second Group 2) in just five starts.
He settled seventh, one out, with a circuit to run, dropped back down the back straight and was sixth last past the 1000m. He started his run soon after, picking up runner after runner and rounding into the home straight and gaining quickly on the leaders.
Maintaining momentum, he bounded up and took over at the 300m, looked to surge clear but was challenged along his inner, rallied and would not give in and had a long head to spare at the line.
In A Twinkling rushed forward starting the back straight to sit outside the pacemaker at the 1000m, was one of three that cleared out near the last corner and took over narrowly at the top of the straight.
He was caught at the 300m but fought back hard, took it to the winner and was brave to the line. Vernanme was among the last few at the 1000m, improved quickly from the 600m and tracked the winner into the home straight.
He kept on solidly to the post without looking the winner. Bobby Dee was handy enough turning in and battled pretty well for fourth while favourite Cutadeel was disappointing, beating only two home.