27 Nov 2017
Rejuvenated sprinter Fully Funded has carried topweight of 60kg to success in Saturday's Listed Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe.
The nuggety six-year-old, co-owned by Cambridge Stud boss Sir Patrick Hogan, was having his first run in a new preparation, having been off the scene since securing a victory at Ruakaka back in June.
Trainer Joanne Surgenor, who registered her first stakes success with the win, had fitted her charge with three trials leading into the event as she prepared to have him at peak for his campaign opener.
“It was a huge run as he was three wide, he has got a heart this horse, he just tries so hard,” said an emotional Surgenor as she brushed away tears of joy.
“I’m just so proud of him.”
Surgenor revealed the race plan had been to put pressure on the leaders approaching the home bend given the tenacious nature of her charge.
Despite being posted wide in the early running, rider Sam Spratt followed instructions to the letter as she made a sharp forward move to join issue as the leaders turned for home.
In a furious four-way battle Fully Funded refused to be denied as he clung to a narrow margin to down Go Nicholas and Heroic Valour with Ferrando close up in fourth.
Spratt echoed Surgenor’s thoughts when questioned about the run.
“Gosh he’s tough carrying that weight," she said.
“I was a bit worried about the weight, that it might pull him down, but when they came up to him he just dug in. It was a tough effort. He just keeps stepping up and every time they come up to him he gives you a little bit more.”
Surgenor will now sit down to plot a path to the Gr. 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) on 1 January for the Fully Fledged gelding who has taken his career record to eight wins from 25 starts. - NZ Racing Desk