We started the ball rolling at Cambridge on Thursday then backed this up quickly at Northern Headquarters on Friday night. Across the 2 meetings the team managed to pick up 2 wins and 4 placings.
It started with Crusader who notched up career win number 5 from a second row draw. Being the highest assessed horse in the race he looked in with a good chance despite drawing awkwardly in what was a full field.
"He's a horse who probably flies under the radar in fairness, " said Donnelly. "While he doesn't have high speed, he can follow it. He's run some very good sectionals at Alexandra Park on a number of occasions and while he's no super star, he rarely runs a bad race."
Our other winner was none other than stable star Kango who took out the Roy Purdon Memorial. The race couldn't have been scripted better once David Butcher found the front.
"I was rapt to win a race of this stature" said a very elated Donnelly. "We can now go into the Auckland Cup with a bit of confidence and a horse who we know will be competitive."
"He's really come of age over the past year so I'm really looking forward to seeing what the next 6 months brings."
Our four place getters all performed with plenty of merit. Denny who was having his second start in the North proved his win the week earlier wasn't a fluke. After being posted three wide and parked the trip he fought on bravely for third.
A bit later in the night it was Mr President who picked up second money after being taken on in front then ending up three back on the fence. He's raced solidly over the past few months and a winning turn looks close at hand.
Back at Alexandra Park it was Virginia Clowers who tried her heart out right to the line when finishing second in the Sires Stakes Trot at Group 2 level.
All 3 starts in the North have been super so she's definitely one to look out for once she gets back to grade racing.
To round off the night it was the ever loyal New York Minute who rallied gamely for third. It was a top effort against some very handy horses. A slick 2200 metres run in 2.38.4 indicates he's not far off a win once he gets into the right field.
