Weanling Purchase Lands Young Guns Final

Fugitive (NZ) (Downbytheseaside) added a sought-after elite-level scalp to his burgeoning record when victorious in the Group One Beckon Farms Young Guns Cardigan Bay Stakes (1700m) at Alexandra Park last Friday.

Having won two and finished runner-up in his three previous outings, Fugitive was backed into $1.70 favouritism, and he duly delivered for punters. 

From his outside draw in the six-horse field, Fugitive was launched off the gate by driver Carter Dalgety, but failed to make the lead and had to sit outside leader Fitzroy (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight). 

Dalgety sat quietly before asking his charge to apply pressure from the 400m mark. Fugitive headed his rival at the top of the straight and didn’t relinquish his advantage, running out a 2-½ length victor over Allamericanplayer (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), with a further neck back to Fitzroy in third.

“We had a crack, used a lot of petrol, he had the hardest run and he was the best horse,” Carter Dalgety said.

“I am so thrilled that he got the final, he has been so good in the heats. He got tired and was knocking off a bit but I am thrilled.”

Bred by Woodlands Stud, Fugitive was offered through their 2023 NZB Standardbred National Weanling Sale draft where he was purchased by Kentuckiana Lodge for $21,000.

Trained by Cran and Chrissie Dalgety, Fugitive has now won three of his four starts, and accrued more than $86,000 in prizemoney.

“This is awesome - a two-year-old Group One, the first of the season,” Carter Dalgety said “We picked this horse out of the weanling sales, so they can come from anywhere.”

Fugitive is out of Group Two performer Can’t Teach That, who is also the dam of Group Three performer Dyslexic and three-win filly New Tricks.