Silenci Salutes In Drama Charged Auckland Cup

Auckland Cup winning trainer Peter Ferguson had no hesitation acknowledging Sydneysiders Peter and Sonia Davis, along with Greg Hore, after Silenci saluted in Sunday's Group 1 $90,000 Auckland Cup Final.

It was Hore who introduced Ferguson and his wife Wendy to the Davis's, and he has formed a great relationship with them, even staying with them when crossing the Tasman.

"Peter sold us Sakichi (Bella Infrared – Dokmai) who he bred, broke in and initially raced," Ferguson said.

"We enjoyed a fair bit of early success with him, then he told us we could buy his litter brother Silenci, who he rated as a better greyhound. As usual he was spot on.

"Peter is a great thinker about the industry and for us to be able to tap into his vast experience certainly is a huge part of the success that we have been enjoying. The same applies to Greg who always keeps an eye out for dogs for us."

The litter brothers were entered into the Auckland Cup heats where Silenci bravely overcame being marred during the run home to finish second in his heat to Pinny Mack, who ironically ran second in the Auckland Cup final.

Sakichi was involved in the abandoned heat when the lure grinded to a standstill, while their Group 1 winning kennelmate Robson advanced to the final via his second to the subsequently stood down Uthor Bale.

The pair were allocated the inside two traps and it was Silenci who quickly broke clear from the one trap to set up the early pace. It was a race lead that he was never going to relinquish as he controlled the pace throughout to deliver his 30.58s win.

Pinny Mack has pushed up around the outer from the seven trap for his conditioner Steve Clark. He boldly stuck to his task for his 1 ¼ length second.

Robson secured an early rails racing passage, then he was forced to overcome some jostling when heading into the final turn. Once balanced up he finished stoutly another two lengths behind for his third.

"Manners win races and Silenci showed that when he led out," Ferguson beamed.

"You couldn't have scripted that any better. When you're in front they have to run you down – they couldn't. It was a great feeling when Silenci won, and it got even better with Robson finishing third.

This win was the eighth for Silenci and after adding in a further ten minor placings sees his career earnings from his 24 race day outings now sitting at $63,568 with the promise of a lot more to come.  

"Peter Davis was in contact with us straight away – he was over the moon," Ferguson added.

"The support we have had has been enormous. Silenci was a rather highly strung dog when he arrived here, however he has really come into his own lately.

"I know he has a lot more to give," added Ferguson who is a dual code industry participant.

He has driven just under 2,000 harness winners which includes two Auckland Cup driving victories.

"No, you won't see me on the back of a thoroughbred," chuckled Ferguson when asked if he'll consider having a crack at an Auckland Cup in the thoroughbreds to complete the trifecta.