Local Horse Doctor Speights Victorious In Erica En La Sea Cap

Favourite Super Tornado battled up front with NCAA Champs through the first half of Saturday’s Erica En La Sea Cap, but it was the hometrack hero Doctor Speights who put a nose in front at the wire following a strong stretch drive. It was the second stakes victory for the 3yo son of Pleasantly Perfect, both at 6 furlongs. The winning 95 speed figure is a career best.

The return to open stakes competition saw a much better performance from Super Tornado. He had struggled in two consecutive G1 starts, but like Doctor Speights, he also ran a career best 95 speed figure today.

Wonder Lawn, making his first start on dirt, rallied with Doctor Speights and finished third, 1-1/2 lengths back. The son of Fort Wood, graded placed on turf, had no problem making the surface switch, finishing with a 92 speed figure.

NCAA Champs faded to fourth in the stretch, and Cooking With Gas(NZ), the other local entry, held on to capture the cheque for fifth place. The final time for the race was 1:10 1/5.