Champion horseman Mark Purdon only had one complaint after favourite Self Assured won New Zealand's first slot race at Cambridge on Thursday night.
"He should have won by more," joked Purdon after the $900,000 The Race.
It was tongue in cheek but also a nod to the physical dominance of Self Assured as he overcame the widest barrier and having to sit parked for the last lap to win harness racing's new glamour race.
Kept out of the early burn as first Alta Orlando, Spankem, and ultimately South Coast Arden raced to the lead, Self Assured worked his way to parked at the bell and Purdon says at the 400m he thought he was home.
"He was bolting and I was sure I had the leaders covered and straightening up I thought we were going to win by four lengths," said Purdon.