Lovemeto (NZ) Emphatic in Ferguson’s First Group One Success

Lovemeto (NZ) (What the Hill) added yet another Group One title to Graeme Rogerson’s tally while also handing Dylan Ferguson his first with his powerful win in the $90,000 Group One Breckon Farms Northern Trotting Derby (2700m).

Ferguson enjoyed the biggest victory of his training career when his NZB Standardbred graduate produced a powerful front-running performance for driver Blair Orange.

Rogerson Bloodstock purchased Lovemeto at the 2021 National Yearling Sale at Karaka for $45,000 when he was offered by Breckon Farms.

Rogerson and Ferguson used a simply but very effective philosophy when seeking out Lovemeto as a yearling.

And on Friday night at Alexandra Park, their selection led them to Group One success.

“One thing Graeme and I try to do is buy from good families and good farms,” Ferguson said.

“When you are buying from Breckon (Farms) and Woodlands (Stud), you are getting well bred horses.”

“This guy, I think his mother only won two races but there were only two dams on the page and they all know how to trot.”

Lovemeto set a tempo that proved far too hard for his rivals to contend with in the Northern Trotting Derby.

Ferguson was hopeful the trotter would thrive when stepping up to 2700m in Group One company and his judgement was spot on.

“He is just an awesome racehorse, he never gets tired.”

“He was trotting 30sec quarters in front and he could have gone another round at that speed.”

Lovemeto’s Derby success came after his third placing in the Group Two Lone Star NZ Sires Stakes Three-Year-Old Championship (2200m) and two starts following his victory in the Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million Three-Year-Old Trot (2200m).

Ferguson credited his horse’s attitude in being crucial to his ability to compete at the elite level.

“He has got that never say die attitude and he has been like that since day one.”

“I always thought and hoped the derby distance would be when you’d see him at his best.”

Lovemeto was followed across the line by fellow NZB Standardbred graduate Aardie’s Peak (NZ) (Peak), who finished third.

The filly ran on strongly from the rear to place at Group One level in her first attempt.

Aardie’s Peak was a bargain $1100 weanling purchase by Razor Ridge Farm when she was offered among the Alabar draft at the 2020 All Age Sale.