American Dealer (NZ) Storms to Stakes Success

American Dealer (NZ) (American Ideal) reigned supreme as NZB Standardbred graduates dominated the first Group One of the new harness racing season at Alexandra Park on Friday night. 

 

The Ray Green trained pacer showed himself to be a complete racehorse when taking out the $128,000 Garrard’s Sires Stakes Final (1700m) for driver David Butcher in an exciting finish.

 

American Dealer showed brilliant gait speed early in the race and just as much dash at the finish to hold out the favourite and fellow NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale graduate, Krug (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), in an exciting finish to the $140,000 feature.

 

Green was full of praise for his colt following American Dealer’s maiden Group One win.

 

“I am very proud of him,” Green told HRNZ.

 

“He is a real little racehorse and he has a big season ahead of him.”

 

After finding the front early, American Dealer set a solid pace to set up his slick winning time of 2-00.9 and mile rate of 1-54.4.

 

American Dealer became the fourth individual Group One winner from NZB Standardbred’s National Yearling Sale, following a highly interrupted first season on the track for its graduates.

 

The American Ideal (USA) colt from Bettor’s Delight (USA) mare, Maddison’s Delight was a bargain $23,000 purchase by Lincoln Farms Bloodstock at Christchurch in 2019.

 

The classy customer was offered as a member of the White Stables of Winton draft and was sold on account of Auckland breeder-owner and trainer Lew Driver.

 

With his win on Friday night, American Dealer became the latest in a lengthy list of Group One performers bred by leviathan breeder, the late Charles Roberts.

 

The victory also saw driver David Butcher win his first Group One race in New Zealand since 2011.

 

Krug launched a brave finish after enduring a tough run outside the leader early in the race and got within a head of the winner at the finish.

 

With NZB Standardbred graduates making up the entire field for the Garrard’s Sires Stakes Final, 2019 National Yearling Sale purchases were always going to fill the trifecta.

 

At the finish, It’s All About Faith (NZ) (Captaintreacherous) took third after making a searching run around the field from his wide second row draw.

 

B D Joe (NZ) (Roll With Joe) ran into fourth placing after trailing American Dealer throughout.

 

American Dealer has the chance to bank another big race purse just seven days after achieving Group One glory.

 

The classy colt will take on an almost identical field in the $200,000 Listed Harness Million Two Year Old Colts And Geldings at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

 

Aladdin (NZ) (Sweet Lou) will be out to make up for his unlucky run for fifth in the Garrard’s Sires Stakes Final.

 

The All Stars stable colt, who was forced to race at the rear from his wide front row draw, flashed home in an eye-catching effort.