Craig Ferguson did it every which way in his winning treble at Ascot Park yesterday.
Ferguson trained Beluga to win with Wilson House in the sulky, drove Always B Royal to win for trainer Brian Norman and trained and drove Ah Dinnae Ken to victory.
Beluga scorched home from off the speed to win the Farewell Craig Rail Mobile Pace.
The race was Rail’s last as Southland’s harness racing commentator after taking up the position in 2013, replacing Justin Evans.
Rail, who was working as a contractor with Entain, which operates the TAB, is being replaced by full-time staffer Daniel Fogarty.
Rail gave an emotional tribute to his colleagues and the southern harness racing fraternity before delivering a pinpoint call of Beluga’s victory.
Beluga’s victory for owners Alan and Liz Sloan came after Ah Dinnae Ken made a perfect return to racing for the Ferguson barn.
With two workouts under her belt, the 6-year-old cleared out from her rivals to score in her first start since April of last year.
The victory continued the trotter’s brilliantly consistent form since joining the Ferguson stable for owners The Broke Boys Syndicate.
Ferguson’s other visit to the winner’s circle came when Always B Royal produced a big debut for the Brian Norman stable.
The 5-year-old was caught wide early and worked hard to find the parked position before cover came.
That effort was not enough to stop Always B Royal from toughing out a gritty victory with Ferguson in the sulky.
The win came in the mare’s first start for her new owners Shane Forgie and Jason Coutts.
Ferguson’s winning treble came during his patient wait for the return of his star drive, Marketplace.
The star age-group performer was given a longer than usual spell after he combined with Ferguson to win the group 1 New Zealand Derby.
Marketplace has recently begun light work on a water walker with a view to progressing to the trials in April.
