Racing: Triumphant trainers toast Tosti Girl

Brent Mangos (in green) drives Tosti Girl home ahead of runner-up Cruzee Lass. Picture / Dean Purcell

One of harness racing's most under-rated combinations could be in for the week of their lives after Tosti Girl's upset win in last night's Great Northern Oaks at Alexandra Park.

The three-year-old filly came from last to win the classic from Cruzee Lass and Alinghi in another success for super stallion Christian Cullen, who sired the quinella.

But the race was even more of a triumph for trainers John Green and Brian Hughes and their regular stable driver Brent Mangos.

The trio have forged a strong relationship in recent years and while not usually rated among the superpowers of harness racing that could all be about to change.

Not only did they capture last night's group one race but they have the warm favourite for Saturday's Auckland Trotting Cup, Alta Serena.

All she needs is a good barrier at today's draw to start at less than $3 in the cup, where a win would cap an amazing double for the partnership.

Already their progress in the last two years has been enormous since Green moved home from Queensland to join forces with Hughes.

The pair set about buying a better quality of stock at the yearling sales and now have one of the strongest teams in harness racing.

With Alta Serena, Tosti Girl, Derby contender Roddick and class four-year-old Matter Of Pride (at present injured) they have the firepower to be serious contenders in feature races at many different levels.

Tosti Girl's win was not a total surprise after two gutsy runs in the earlier fillies' features at the carnival but it still rocked punters who invested heavily on Western Dream.

The outstanding filly settled at the rear with Tosti Girl but when driver Tony Herlihy moved the pace quickened as his rival drivers anticipated his moves.

That left Western Dream trapped three wide for a last mile paced in 2:0, a mission impossible.

Tosti Girl, without the pressure of favouritism, was coolly driven by Mangos and she swooped wide at the 600m mark before blasting to the lead at the 600m mark to down Cruzee Lass.

Alinghi was a fighting third after sitting parked for the last lap while the other disappointment for punters was Blackbird Fly, who led early and then trailed but could not finish on in the home straight.

The night's other feature was won by What Ever You Like, who made the most of the one-one to win the trot, edging closer to open class.