Racing: Coburg turns in a sharp performance to take NZ Breeders Stakes

Top driver Peter Ferguson's confidence levels soared when Coburg stepped on the track for last night's $100,000 Mach Three New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes at Addington.

"She felt really keen and was twice the horse she was last week," Ferguson said. "Mike Berger [trainer] has been down here all week getting her spot on, and did a great job."

Coburg won last week's $30,000 Premier Mares Championship comfortably, but she was a much sharper proposition for last night's group one.

After settling perfectly three back on the outer, tracking Oaxaca Lass, the Falcon Seelster mare was poised to pounce turning for home.

She dashed home to win going away by a length and three-quarters from Oaxaca Lass, who took an inside route on the home turn after the pacemaking Falconair stopped.

Favourite Pullover Brown led out, then trailed, but lost her place on the home turn. She rallied well late for third, just ahead of Hot Shoe Shuffle, a stablemate of the winner.

Ferguson only picked up the Coburg drive this season after his cause was promoted heavily by syndicate member Barry Gordon. He has now driven her six times for four wins, a second and a miss, when she failed to step cleanly from a stand.

Coburg was a $30,000 yearling buy for the Coburg Syndicate.

From a racewinning half-sister to dual New Zealand Cup winner Il Vicolo, Coburg has now racked up seven wins from 25 starts for just over $164,000 in stakes.

She rated a slick 1:56.8 for the 1950m (equalling a class record), the leaders finishing off with a final 800m in 57.1s and final 400m in 27.6s.

Oscar Wild earned a start in the $25,000 Dunedin Casino Four- Year-Old Championship next Friday with another classy win.

The Albert Albert entire came from last to win the Mark Purdon All Stars Racing Stables Pace, blazing over the 2600m (stand) in 3:15.2, a 2:00.8 mile rate.

Oscar Wild, after improving three wide with cover, then having to sprint four wide to make his run on the home turn, was timed over his last mile in 1:57.2.

Woodend beach co-trainer David Butt may also take stablemate OK Jaque to Forbury for the three-year-old race.

Butt, and wife Catherine, are enjoying another good season. Oscar Wild gave them with their 30th win for the season, only seven behind the season's leader Mark Purdon.

Zuri was untroubled to win the Blue Star Taxis Mobile Trot for three-year-olds, a lead- up to next Saturday's Hambletonian.

The Ken Ford-trained Grant Our Wishes gelding tracked front-running favourite Diedre Don to the 450m, then driver Mark Jones had him out applying early pressure.

Zuri was too good in the run home, coming clear by two and a half lengths in 2:03.2 rate for the 1950m.

- NZPA