Duffers Creek wins 2017 Challenge Stakes Listed NZ$50,000 at Wanganui (NZ), 1590m.
With all ten of his wins taking place on slow or heavy tracks, Duffers Creek relished the heavy conditions here to score well. He was slow away and he and Chris Johnson found themselves second-to-last at the 1000m. When the pace quickened at the 650m, the field bunched up, yet Duffers Creek was still second last but improving. Before straightening they went wide and had the leaders in sight, Johnson winding him up to be in a line with four others at the 150m, then edging clear to the wire to score by a length.
Thorn Prince was fifth at the last corner, pulled wider to be in line and looked the winner inside the 150m but was out finished.
Widest and third turning in, Taurus, last year's winner, had every chance but could only battle, holding third from Ringo, who tracked Taurus into the straight but also battled on for fourth.
