Rangiora trainer Calum Weir was expected to feature predominantly at the business end of the Murray Wigley @ Ray White Harding Cup final. He had qualified two finalists for the feature $7,500 time honoured Christchurch 295m sprint feature.

He duly did, although perhaps not in the order that most expected with his sharp pair of short course sprinters. Seriously Grand was loaded away into the Addington 295m eight trap on Thursday evening as the winner of both of his 295m sprints since he crossed the Tasman.

He had won his heat the previous Thursday from that trap and he hopped away okay from out there in the final to push forward to get handy to the early pace. Winning the break from the four trap was his sharp kennelmate and warm favourite Swimming Goat.

Second favourite Rosa Tee for Ray Adcock settled handy along the rail, although she was then held in restricted racing space when heading into the turn. Seriously Grand pounced to secure the race lead when rounding the turn. It was a lead he was to maintain during the run home even though a brave Rosa Tee charged at him. He held to claim his feature win by a half-length margin, clocking 17.46s. Swimming Goat gamely held when finishing third just a head further behind.
 

Seriously Grand winning the Murray Wigley @ Ray White Harding Cup final; Sponsor Murray Wigley (left) along with Seriously Grand handled by May Butler with trainer Calum Weir; again it sure was a crowded Murray Wigley @ Ray White Harding Cup post race podium - pics supplied by Dave Robbie - drobbie@ihug.co.nz – 021 607 869 for all your South Island race photos
 

By Peter Fenemor