Dual code trainer Graeme Rogerson has had a quiet run of late with his standardbreds, but that all changed at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night when he picked up a winning double at the Waikato track.
The well-known thoroughbred trainer was pleased with his two victors, High Point and Anna Kate, which were reined home by his newly established foreman, Dylan Ferguson.
High Point, who was bred and is co-owned by Rogerson, kicked off proceedings in the third race on the card.
The four-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight was sent forward off the gate to take the early lead and was never headed throughout the 1700m contest, winning by three-quarters of a length.
Newly acquired trotter Anna Kate added a third win to Rogerson’s season tally when she won the North Island Standardbred Breeders’ Assn Trot (2200m).
It was the six-year-old mare’s first start for Rogerson and she made light work of her opposition, running away to a 2-1/2 length victory.
“I thought Anna Kate was very good and High Point is putting it all together and is getting better all the time, so I was happy,” Rogerson said.
While Rogerson has reduced the size of his standardbred operation in recent years, he said he still enjoys the sport as a hobby and continues to breed from a handful of broodmares.
“I’d have about a dozen standardbreds in work,” he said. “I’ve got a few on the farm and a few in Australia, I race with Merv Butterworth in Australia.
“I have got a few broodmares, I breed a few and buy a few.
“We bought Anna Kate from the South Island, along with Delson. I bought them actually to be monte horses for the girls, Michelle (Northcott) and Bailey (Rogerson). If they want to ride them they can, but I think they are not bad horses.”
It was also a great night for Ferguson, who drove home the two winners. He has recently returned to work for Rogerson and his employer has been impressed with the young reinsman and believes he has a big future in the sport.
“He’s going really well,” Rogerson said. “I like the boy and he’s got the makings of a very good driver. It seems to be working well.
“We have broken in some nice young horses that we’ve bred and we’ll buy a few at the sales.” – Cambridge Raceway
