Questionable purchase turns into feature winner

AFTER purchasing a filly almost sight unseen during last year's Australian Pacing Gold Sale, Noel Alexander and Jayne Davies began to question their decision upon post sale inspection.

The duo were alerted to a well-bred yearling by American enthusiasts Gordan Bank and Marc Hanover, but forgot to head to the stalls on sales day.

After noticing the daughter of Helpisontheway in the ring, the decision was made to put in a bid, which resulted in the pair becoming the new owners.

"We were looking at a couple for Marc and Gordon and they mentioned her and we said we'd have a look, but didn't," Davies explained. "Then when she came into the ring, Noel threw in a couple of bids and we bought her.

"When I went down to look at her I thought 'what have we done' as she had legs like matchsticks and was a spooky type.

"She's still a leggy, fine type, but hasn't set a foot wrong and just keeps improving."

Now racing as Harperseven, the trotter rewarded Alexander and Davies by capturing last night's APG Final in Melton.

With Chris Alford in the cart, Harperseven trailed the leader, Adelaide Red, before coming with a late run to score by a half-head.

Aldebaran Jazmine was 18 metres away third in 2:02 over 1720 metres.

"Chris was confident before the race and she had done everything right leading up to it, so we gave her a good chance," Davies said. "She is a lovely trotter, which doesn't know how to gallop.

"We'll put her in a paddock now, then get her ready for the Sires' and Redwood later in the year."