CARABELLA . . . HARNESS HORSE OF THE YEAR
Carabella became only the third 3YO pacing fillly to be crowned NZ Harness Horse of the Year at the annual awards dinner in Christchurch on Saturday July 23, 2011.
The Brendon “Benny” Hill-trained daughter of Bettor’s Delight and the Artsplace mare Andress Blue Chip joined former stand-outs of her sex, Elect To Love (2002) and Bonnie Frost (1970), as the only fillies to earn the top award.
When Bonnie Frost beat the best there were no individual age group categories.
The only 3YO boys to have taken out the top title have been Garcon Roux (1969), Il Vicolo (1995 and Auckland Reactor (2008).
Former champion pacer Chokin remains the only two-year-old to have impressed judges enough to win the Harness Horse of the Year title at such a precocious age.
Carabella, raced by Cavalla Bloodstock, was dominant racing against her own age group.
She had her colours lowered only once once in 11 starts this season, earning $507,543.
Her only defeat came at Rangiora in March when she raced parked outside Bettor Cover Lover and fought gallantly over an exceptional closing 800m in 54.4s.
She set NZ 3YO filly records for 1950m (2:19.7), 2200m (2:41.1) and 2400m (2:55.8).
Carabella won five Group One races _ the Alabar Sires Stakes Fillies Championship, the Mid Canty Trotting Assn Harness Jewels 3YO Diamond, the Pascoes The Jewellers Northern, and Nevele R Wayne Francis Memorial NZ Oaks and Nevele R Fillies Final.
List of Award winners:
NZ Harness Horse of the Year: CARABELLA 16 Votes
(other nominees, I Can Doosit 9 Gold Ace 4 Smoken Up 4 Monkey King 3 Themightyquinn 2 Stunin Cullen 1).
Individual categories were:
Pacers
2YO Colt or Gelding of the Year: FLY LIKE AN EAGLE (Mach Three-Three Eagles c; owners: Glenys & Phil Kennard, Neil Pilcher, Gavin Douglas, Philip & Margaret Creighton) 38 votes. (other nominee, Lets Elope, 1 Vote).
2YO Filly of the Year: COWGIRLS N INDIANS (Real Desire-Barn Dance Betty f owners: Ross Johnson, Janene Cole) 26 votes. (other nominees, Dancing Diamonds 11, O Baby 2).
3YO Colt or Gelding of the Year: GOLD ACE (Bettor’s Delight-Hill Of Gold c; owners: Wendy Reid, Derek Moore, Michael Ng, D D Syndicate), 39 votes.
3YO Filly of the Year: CARABELLA (Bettor’s Delight-Andress Blue Chip f; owner: Cavalla Bloodstock Ltd) 39 votes
4YO Entire or Gelding of the Year: FRANCO EMIRATE (Christian Cullen-Elisit Franco g; owner: Russell Nieper) 34 votes. (other nominee, Smiling Shard, 5 votes).
4YO Mare of the Year: DE LOVELY (Falcon Seelster-Copper Beach; owner: Les Girls No 2 Syndicate) 38 votes (other nominee, Lancome 1 vote).
5YO & Older Entire or Gelding of the Year: MONKEY KING (Sands A Flyin- Tuapeka Vale g; owner: Cavalla Bloodstock Ltd). 14 votes (other nominees: Themightyquinn 12, Smoken Up 7, Stunin Cullen 6).
5YO & Older Mare of the Year: BEAUDIENE BAD BABE (Badlands Hanover- Beaudiene Babe m; owner: Estate of Peter Ryan) 34 votes (other nominee, Nearea Franco, 5 votes).
Pacer of the Year: CARABELLA 20 votes (other nomineees, Smoken Up 5, Monkey King & Gold Ace 4, Themightyquinn 3, Stunin Cullen 2, De Lovely 1).
Trotters
2YO Colt or Gelding of the Year: FLYING ISA (Pegasus Spur-Sun Isa; owners: Jocelyn & John Davies, Jonathon Hope, Jennifer Sutherland, Lynda German, Joanne Taylor) 39 votes.
2YO Filly of the Year: ESCAPEE (Sundon-Una Bromac f; owner: Trevor Casey) 22 votes (other nominee, All Shook Up 17).
3YO Colt or Gelding of the Year: PARAMOUNT GEEGEE (Pegasus Spur- Paramount Star; owners: Jocelyn & John Davies, Jonathon Hope, Charles Blackwell, Jennifer Sutherland) 39 votes.
3YO Filly of the Year: DOLLY WOULD (Artsplace-Dixie Darlin f; owner: Martin Herbert) 14 votes. (other nominees, Commander Jewel 13, Kylie Ree 12).
4YO Entire or Gelding of the Year: VULCAN (Earl-Epona; owners: Jenny Butt, Donald McKenzie) 39 votes.
4YO Mare of the Year: LARIX (Safely Kept-Tamarix m; owners: Gay & Nicholas McClymont) 28 votes (other nominees, Jinja Gal & Another Player 5, 1 abstained).
5YO & Older Entire or Gelding of the Year: I CAN DOOSIT (Muscles Yankee- Sheezadoosie; owner: Breckon Racing Syndicate) 38 votes (other nominee, Let Me Thru 1).
5YO & Older Mare of the Year: ANNICKA (Spotlite Lobell-Arnica; owner: Stall Kullsgarden AB) 20 votes (other nominees, Fayanni 12, Great Getaway 4, Ready Set 2, One Over Kenny 1).
Trotter of the Year: I CAN DOOSIT 36 Votes (other nominee, Paramount Geegee 3).
Other categories:
Breeder of the Year: SPREYDON LODGE
Broodmare of the Year: VICARIO
Stallion of the Year: BETTOR’S DELIGHT
Owner of the Year: CAVALLA BLOODSTOCK LTD
Leading Trainer: MARK PURDON & GRANT PAYNE
Leading Driver/Cruickshank Junior: DEXTER DUNN
Unsung Hero: BARRY JOHNSON
Outstanding Contribution: ROY PURDON