A stunning finishing burst from what looked a hopeless position set tongues wagging at Ellerslie on the weekend when promising three-year-old Night Voyage scored at upset odds in the VRC Trophy (1400m).
The last start Waipa maiden winner was sent out at better than $50 on the tote, with that price looking a little lean with less than 600 metres to run as he was dead last and a conservative 15 lengths from the pacemaker. Hooked to the outside of the track the son of Bachelor Duke quickly strode up to the leaders at the 200m mark and then held on strongly to score by a neck from the well supported Stradivarius.
Co-trainer Graeme Sanders, who prepares the gelding with daughter Debbie Sweeney, was delighted with the performance although a little bemused with the lack of support.
"I couldn't believe what he was paying as a last start winner but I guess people just didn't rate that midweek form," he said.
- NZ Racing Desk
