Racing: Ferguson crowned cups king of Alexandra Park

Peter Ferguson is enjoying his new nickname as the "Cups King" of Alexandra Park this season.

Ferguson has had an outstanding driving season, winning 82 races to sit third on the premiership behind Mark Jones (112) and Colin De Filippi (108).

In reflecting on the feature races at Alexandra Park this season, Ferguson figures prominently in the results.

The standout effort was the victory recorded by Mi Muchacho in the second Auckland Cup for the season held at the home of North Island harness racing.

"The racing industry can be funny to be involved in as I thought I would have a quiet time when things started rolling this season," said Ferguson.

"I won the Spring Cup and North Shore City Stakes with Mi Muchacho, then everything fell apart when we went to Christchurch to contest the New Zealand Cup.

"Dick (Anderson, part-owner and trainer) took the horse home and I thought that would be the end of his season, but he got him up again and fit enough to win the Auckland Cup.

"When we returned south for the Easter Cup, everything again fell apart.

"The whole body soreness issue with this horse tends to flare up whenever he races left-handed. It's something Dick will have to work on next season if we want to have another crack at the New Zealand Cup."

The Mi Muchacho equine roller coaster ride did not stop Ferguson winning other cups at Alexandra Park.

The Cambridge-based horseman also won the Franklin, Thames, Winter and Country Cups.

However there is still one race that Ferguson desperately wants to win: the New Zealand Cup.

"Every harness driver not only wants to drive in the New Zealand Cup, they also want to win it.

"I have absolutely no doubt that Mi Muchacho has the ability to win the race but the issue is finding what causes his soreness problems.

"He's such a genuine, competitive racehorse and the harder he tries, the worst he paces left-handed. I think he can race a lot better at Addington when he's fresh but we'll worry about those problems next season.