Greased Lightnin Strikes In Harness 5000

The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained Greased Lightnin (NZ) (Vincent) was able to end his year on a high when taking out the Listed Majestic Horse Floats Mobile Pace (1700m) at the inaugural Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 at Ashburton on Sunday.  

The three-year-old gelding has been one of the key contenders of his competitive crop this season, winning six and placing in three of his 16 starts this term, including victory in the Listed Sires’ Stakes Sophomore Classic (1980m) at Addington Raceway in October.

He also featured prominently in a number of Group One races, posting a fourth placing in the Group One New Zealand Pacing Derby (2600m), and fifth placings in the Group One 3YO Flying Stakes (1980m) and Group One Northern Pacing Derby (2700m).

With his sire Vincent’s service fee under $5,000, he became eligible for the inaugural Harness 5000 meeting, and with the drop back in class, he was backed into $1.10 favouritism for his southern assignment.

From his second row draw, driver Zachary Butcher was able to work his magic to find the coveted one-one position with Greased Lightnin, and they enjoyed an economical passage before Butcher presented his charge perfectly at the top of the straight and his class told, running away to a 1-¼ length victory.

Phelan was trackside for the victory and said owner Dean Shannon was eager to support the initiative.

“Dean was pretty keen to come down,” he said. “It was a good win for Dean and good for the whole team.

“He has raced in all of the best races, he has been credible and a top five three-year-old all year, so it was good to get a nice win.”

Bred by Alabar Stud, Greased Lightnin is out of two-win In The Pocket mare Motu Racy Girl, a half-sister to Group One performer Racy Rocket, and the dam of Group One performer Vanquished.

Greased Lightnin was offered through Alabar’s 2022 NZB Standardbred National Weanling Sale draft where he was purchased by Dean Shannon, under his Montana Park banner, for $23,000.

Entrusted to the care of Purdon and Phelan, Greased Lightnin has now won eight and placed in five of his 20 starts to date, and has accrued more than $206,000 in prizemoney.

 

Vendor	Alabar (NZ) Ltd
Purchaser	Montana Park P/L
Owner(s)	Montana Park Pty Ltd
Breeding	Vincent - Motu Racy Girl
Sale	2022 National Standardbred Weanling Sale ($23,000)
Breeder(s)	Alabar (NZ) Ltd