Sun Publisher, a New Zealand-bred four-year-old, reappeared after an injury-enforced 21-month absence in wonderful style when he won the $21,000 The Ashes On Seven Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
He was the $3.90 second favourite from barrier five when Michael Ferguson settled him down in last position in the field of nine, with Fireplay ($21) leading for the first 100m before relinquishing the front to $5.50 chance Skippin Class.
Fergusion then sent Sun Publisher forward after a lap and the Sunshine Beach gelding moved to the breeze with 1150m to travel before finishing solidly to get to the front 50m from home on his way to winning by a half-neck from the fast-finishing Fireplay, and rating 1.59.6.
“I thought that getting to the breeze would be an easier run than sitting back last and going forward at the 500 or 600m and being off the track late,” said Ferguson.
Sun Publisher, prepared by Ferguson’s father Brian, was having only his fourth start in a race. He was sent by his owner Les Whiteside from New Zealand to Western Australia as a two-year-old to be trained by Gary Hall snr before being switched to the Ferguson stable in late September 2023 after it was discovered that he was not suited to working in heavy sand at the Hall establishment.
“It was then that my Dad and I got him, and he had three starts for us in October and November (for a third, fourth and second placing), but when he was working up as an early three-year-old he damaged the tendon in his near front leg,” said Michael Ferguson.
“He had nine months off and then did three months rehab.” Scans early this year revealed that Sun Publisher had made a full recovery, and the gelding has been worked carefully since April.
“Tonight, he was out of gas (in the late stages) but it was his ability that carried him through,” said Michael Ferguson. “Going forward, I expect him to be better, sat up. Hopefully, he will remain sound, and I expect him to go through the grades.”
Sun Publisher is the fifth foal out of unraced Badlands Hanover mare Neverland Franco, and the gelding’s four elder half-brothers are winners --- Sonny Orlando (208 starts for 18 wins, 37 placings and $99,041), The Publisher (20 starts for six wins, six placings and $47,396), Master Publisher (65 starts for 15 wins, 16 placings and $155,664) and Lord Publisher (48 starts for five wins, nine placings and $47,227).
By Ken Casellas