Summerston upsets in thrilling Ellerslie finish

[Wandering Eyes]

Underrated mare Summerston (NZ) (Reliable Man) sprang a massive upset when she burst between runners to claim victory in the Kingmakers Syndication 1400 (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. 

The Debbie Sweeney-prepared five-year-old has never been blessed with a lot of luck in her career to date but more than made up for that with a performance that suggested there could be more in store in the coming months. 

Allowed to settle well back by rider Warren Kennedy, the daughter of Westbury Stud-based stallion Reliable Man began to track into the race with 600m to run and was travelling well behind a wall of horses early in the run home. 

Just as the well-backed Happy Youmzain looked to have them in trouble, Summerston burst between runners to hit the front and hold out the late challenges of Moschino and Hakkinen with Happy Youmzain close up in fourth.  

Sweeney was thrilled to see the mare finally get some racing luck and deliver on her promise. 

“She is a mare who has always shown she has a lot of ability, but she has never had a lot of luck in her whole career,” Sweeney said. 

“It was a good ride by Warren and she had to step up today against some strong company, but on her day she is a very capable mare. 

“She is going very well, very sound and really happy. 

“I’m not too sure what to do from here but I will have a chat to her connections and plan from there.” 

Kennedy was pleased that Summerston could finally make good use of a handy barrier draw. 

“She tracked up well and Debbie said this was the first time she had had a really nice draw so not to get into the scrum early on,” he said. 

“I was able to make up a couple of lengths before the straight and she was travelling really well. I had to wait for a split and with her being a big mare, I had to wait, but when she got it she really knuckled down. 

“I feel she is one that will go over a bit more ground, but she won a good race today.” 

Bred and raced by Westbury Stud principal Gerry Harvey, Summerston is out of the Testa Rossa mare Glasgow and has now won three of her 12 career starts.

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