 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1997
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
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| Bogan Fella wins the Derby from Franco Enforce |
An Auckland-based horse that nearly died on his last visit to Addington returned there to snare one of the biggest prizes of the 3-year-old. Bogan Fella, trained at Ardmore by Mark Purdon, caught a severe bout of travel sickness during Cup Week in November when he trekked south to tackle the $148,500 Sires' Stakes Final.
At the same time as his illustrious stablemate Il Vicolo gallantly captured his second consecutive NZ Cup, Bogan Fella was battling a respiratory infection and high temperatures and beat only five home in his event the same day. "It was quite serious and he could have died," recalled Purdon. "He had an awful run in the Sires' Stakes Final but went better on Show Day to finish third."
The $125,000 Smokefree New Zealand Derby was a different story though, and Bogan Fella put an end to the eight-race winning streak af race favourite, Lavros Star. Back early from marble eight at the mobile gate, Bogan Fella improved with cover to sit parked momentarily before securing a one-one sit over the final lap. As expected, Lavros Star was in front and setting a cracking pace. The early speed duel with Franco Hat Trick, which saw the first 800m race by in 56.7 seconds, took its toll down the home straight though. Bogan Fella got to the front and held it, just, from Franco Enforce who came from a "mile" back at the 500m. Franco Hat Trick came out of the trail to run third, ahead of the gallant Lavros Star and Atitagain.
Such was the dominance of Lavros Star, a $1.20 shot who had won the first two legs of the triple crown so convincingly, even Purdon himself had doubts about his winning chances. "I thought we were racing for second really," he admitted after the event. "I was pleased with Bogan Fella's efforts on the first two nights though; he had felt better on the second night and was stronger again tonight. "He is a great little stayer though and he really tries," he said.
Bogan Fella's time for the 2600m mobile event was a sensational 3:11.6, a mile rate of 1:58.5. The performance was a New Zealand record for a 3-year-old colt or gelding, and ironically bettered the previous mark held jointly by stablemate The Court Owl and Winning Blue Chip. Bogan Fella will round his season off with a couple of starts at the Rowe Cup meeting later this month.
Purdon, who has already had to break in a new helmet this season, will have to buy himself another pair of driving glasses after losing his on Saturday night. Fully equipped when he left the changing room prior to Bogan Fella's event, Purdon was minus his glasses by the time he got to the stables to collect his Derby hope. Bob Cameron, a "rival" trainer on the track but Purdon's great friend off it, duly obliged by supplying the winning horseman with a pair owned by Ricky May.
Credit: John Robinson writing in NZHR Weekly