Sports Package delivers Oaks glory for this season’s leading Albany trainer Terry Ferguson

Trainer Terry Ferguson and talented filly Sports Package combined to score an upset victory, gunning down hot favourite Double Expresso in Friday night’s $120,000 WA Oaks (2536m) at Gloucester Park.

The major victory came just a few weeks after Ferguson was crowned the top trainer in Albany for the 2019-20 season.

Sports Package won two races at Harold Reid Paceway in January and was part of Ferguson’s fruitful season in Albany that netted 15 winners.

Sports Package, starting a $16 chance, came from third on the pegs to win by a half-neck from front runner Double Expresso ($1.50) while Intheskyrocket ($81) finished 3m away in third place.

The winner delivered reinsman Dylan-Egerton-Green, 27, a fourth Group 1 triumph this year.

Sports Package, a Bunbury winner at her previous start, rated 1:56.9 and equalled the race record set by Maczaffair in 2017.

Breeder-owner-trainer Ferguson, 70, gives Sports Package a bush and beachwork preparation at his Wonnerup property, near Busselton.

He raced the filly’s dam Ultimate Package and granddam Saabrina.

“I’m over the moon,” Ferguson said after the Oaks success.

“I thought she’d done too much work in early stages. But she’s tough little devil, just like her mother.

“Dylan drove the filly a treat to handle pressure and she’s pulled up perfect.

“She’ll be ready to race again in a few weeks. We’ll tackle a Diamond Classic and Westbred Classic. I reckon she’ll be even better next season.

“Sports Package is lightly raced, after injuring a shoulder in her paddock as a youngster. Her early career was limited, but lately she has proven herself over longer journeys and confirmed her staying stamina tonight.”

Sports Package has won at seven of 15 starts and earned more than $125,000.

Egerton-Green drove Mighty Conqueror to win the $450,000 WA Pacing Cup last January. He was behind Talksupastorm in a $100,000 Sales Classic victory in February and won the $200,000 WA Derby with Patronus Star last month. Bunbury-born Ferguson, a third-generation trotting trainer, instructed Egerton-Green to keep Sports Package close to the lead after starting from gate one.

Double Expresso led from the 1600m, but could not hold Sports Package when she got clear running over final stages.

It was Ferguson’s biggest trotting success since he owned 1999 WA Pacing Cup winner Saab, who was prepared by Double Expresso’s trainer Ross Olivieri

Ferguson owned and trained 2017 Diamond Classic winner Cimorene, who he also bred from Ultimate Package.