The Dogs - Ferguson?s Assassin Fires At Canberra

Ferguson’s Assassin Fires At Canberra

Written by: Gerard Guthrie 08/09/10

2008 NSW Trainer of the Year Majella Ferguson hopes to celebrate the first feature win out of her new Thirlmere base when Beer Assassin lines up in Sunday’s Group Three Swaggerbout Pet Products Canberra Cup Final (530m).

Majella and husband Craig, together with plenty of help from their three sons, have enjoyed great success in recent years, but things have been a little quiet lately as they completed a move from Catherine Field to Thirlmere.

But the Fergusons are very much on the go again now, as evidenced by kennel newcomer Beer Assassin’s record-breaking performance in a heat of the $20,000 to-the-winner Canberra Cup last Sunday evening.

Beer Assassin, a well bred son of Whisky Assassin and Or Catra, was having his first start for the Fergusons and his first run in three months when he sped around Canberra in 30.20s, breaking the previous course record of 30.22s, set last year by License To Dance.

Beer Assassin was easily the fastest heat winner, with the other run-offs won by Odessa Shiraz (30.41s), Airbag (30.57s) and Sandhog (30.89s), while the Fergusons’ other heat runner, Irreplaceable, winner of the 2008 South Australian Oaks, ran third in Odessa Shiraz’s heat.

“That was Beer Assassin’s first start for us and he’d been out for three months after he split a hamstring – which was a pretty bad injury – so it was a really good effort to go so well first-up,” Majella Ferguson explained.

“He doesn’t always begin that well, but he really nailed the start on Sunday and came out second behind Carcoar Kurt. We were really happy to see him go so well for his owner, Eddie Kingswell. Eddie’s a lovely bloke and it was a real thrill for him.

“Beer Assassin had been trialling really well leading into the Cup heats, but not quite as good as Irreplaceable. We took them to Canberra prior to the heats and Irreplaceable went 30.35 and Beer Assassin ran 30.41 – we were really happy with both their trials, considering the record was 30.22.

“Irreplaceable’s been trialling sensationally, but she didn’t look right to me on Sunday. She got to second but she changed stride a couple of times, so we’ll need to have a good look at her.

“We sold our place at Catherine Field and moved to Thirlmere and we’ve taken on a few more dogs now – Beer Assassin is one of those. We’ve got a lot of pups as well, so things are going to be pretty busy.”

Beer Assassin has drawn box five in the Canberra Cup decider