NELSON - Ashburton pacer Extraordinaire continued his rapid rise through the grades when he dispatched his rivals in the Turf Hotel Handicap Pace at the Nelson Harness Racing Club's winter meeting at Richmond Park yesterday.
The promising Oblivion II gelding won four out of five races during his first campaign and yesterday made it five from six when he won the 2400m feature by a head.
Extraordinaire made a flying start from the 10m mark and was never headed after sweeping to the lead with a lap to run.
Harold John finished second while Romanston was three-quarters of a length back in third.
The ease of Extraordinaire's win may not have surprised punters who installed him as warm favourite but it did raise the eyebrows of trainer Laurence Hanrahan.
"I thought he would be a run short today. We've had a few problems getting him ready this time and I thought his lack of fitness would count against him."
After the win, Hanrahan paid tribute to his friend Terry McMillan who has been instrumental in getting the horse back to his best.
"He's a bit of a problem horse and Terry has been great at sorting out his shoeing and gear," he said.
Extraordinaire is raced by Timaru brothers Jack, Rex, Ian and Bruce Phillips who purchased the gelding as an untried two-year-old from Waimate breeder John Gillett.
Canterbury trainer Wayne Higgs posted his first win as a driver when he guided Bronze Touch to victory in the Turf Hotel Carvery Pace.
A delighted Higgs held his whip aloft in a victory salute as Bronze Touch cleared out over the final 50 metres to win by two lengths from Marshall Anvil. It was only Higgs third race day drive after he gained his licence on Thursday.
Racing: Victories just keep on coming
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