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HALF-SISTER TO MASTER LAVROS DEAD-HEATS

Asteria Lavra, a juvenile half-sister by Angus Hall to stand-out stable squaregaiter Master Lavros, had an educational run at the Rangiora trials on Wednesday January 30.

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones led up with the Lavros Lodge-bred and owned filly, who was joined late by the Jimmy Curtin-trained and driven Zigzagzoo (Majestic Son-Letz Hope gelding).

Asteria Lavra (inner) is joined by Zigzagzoo near the finish of the Two-Year-Old Trot heat at the Rangiora trials.

The pair finished on terms at the end of the mobile 2000m in 2:44.3, 2.3 seconds outside the required qualifying time.

However, both two-year-old trotters hit out well to the line over their last 800m in 62.1s and final 400m in 30.5s.

Majestic Rollon (2f Majestic Son-Samara), another Overport Lodge to make her first trials appearance on Tuesday,
galloped early for Sheree Tomlinson, tailing the four-horse field.

Two-year-old pacing colt Willison (Bettor’s Delight-Classical Art), who qualified at Rangiora last month in 2:34
(mobile 2000m), returned with another solid showing on Wednesday.

Willison, a great grandson of the top International winning filly/mare Under Cover Lover (1:51.8, US, 21 wins &
$864,923), led up the two-year-old colts and geldings pace, being collared late by the Robert Dunn-trained Above N
Beyond (Art Major-Kabet colt).

Only a head separated the pair at the line, with Above N Beyond winning in 2:35 (mobile 2000m), the leaders last 800m in 58.6s and 400m in 27.6s.

Australian-bred juvenile pacer Finnigan (Art Major-Virginia Khan colt) settled back and finished fifth of five in the
second 2YO colts and gelding trial, but gained his qualifying ticket by pacing 2:34.2.

The Robert Dunn stable prepared the first three, Tyron Terranova (Sweet Lou-Tyron’s Falcon Ella colt) who shaded
leader Power And Grace (Somebeachsomewhere-Pure Magic colt) late in 2:33.3, the leaders last 800m in 57.6s and 400m in 28.2s.

Lulu Le Mans, the first foal from 2013 Harness Jewels 4YO Diamond winner Elusive Chick (1:53.1).

Finnigan is a half-brother to three Australian winners, including Koora Khan (1:54.9, five wins & $23,498) and Modern Maestro (1:55, 16 wins & $99,075).

Mark also qualified Lulu Le Mans, a two-year-old filly by champion sire Bettor’s Delight, and the first foal from big-winning McArdle mare Elusive Chick (1:53.1, 13 wins & $418,586).

Lulu Le Mans settled back and was sound finishing fourth of five, clocking 2:33.6 for the mobile 2000m in the 2YO fillies pace, won by the previously qualified Allstars filly, Amazing Dream, in 2:32.7.

The leaders kept the pace strong over the last 800m in 57.9s and final 400m in 27.6s.

SOUTHERN NON-WIN RACE STAKES

Following a meeting of the Southern Harness Programming Committee yesterday we would like to announce that effective today (Thursday, January 31, 2019) for the duration of the current season, all non-win (MR) races will carry a minimum stake of $10,000 (an increase from $8,000).

This includes today’s Wyndham Harness Racing Club Meeting which has three non-win (MR) races carded.

The $1500 bonus paid by Harness Racing NZ will be added onto the $10,000 stake.

This is something Southern Harness have been striving to achieve and we hope that this will give breeders, owners and trainers renewed confidence in the industry in the south.

Courtesy of Jason Broad,
General Manager,
Southern Harness Racing

NEW NZ METRO CEO

After completing a robust appointment process, The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Brian Thompson as Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Thompson, who will graduate this year with a Master’s in Business Studies from Massey University, has been with Addington since 2011 and will take up his new role on 11 February 2019.

He replaces Peter Jensen, who late last year was appointed as Chief Executive of Harness Racing New Zealand.

New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club Chair, Brent Smith, said he and the Board are delighted to announce Mr Thompson’s appointment.

“Brian has made a huge contribution to Addington in his time as General Manager of Operations.

“He has more than doubled the revenue from our functions business, has successfully led the huge logistical operation that is Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup Week for seven years, provided real leadership in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes and was a key part of the team that designed and launched Spectators bar and bistro, which is now an integral part of our entertainment offer both on race night and throughout the week.

Mr Thompson said he was looking forward to working with the board to grow the Addington business.

“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity the lead the business that I am so passionate about.

“With our new strategic plan in place that is focused on future sustainability of the great sport of harness racing, my team and I will be very focused on delivering on our vision to be New Zealand’s Leading Multipurpose Racing & Events Venue.”

THE BUS BEATEN BY DRAW IN FINAL

The Bus fought gamely from the outside second row draw when second in the C2-5 $25,000 Hygain Golden Guitar Final at Tamworth, New South Wales, on Thursday, January 24.

The Mark Jones-trained pacer settled five places back on the outer for driver Guy Chappie, then improved wide beginning the last 1000m to be parked outside front-running Queenslander, Im Norma Jean, over the last lap.

Im Norman Jean (5m Modern Art-Lets Rocknroll),  driven by Pete McMullen for trainer Peter Greig, didn’t relent over the last 600m, drawing clear to win by 6.5 metres in a 1:57.8 rate for the 1980m.

The Bus rallied well late in the tussle for second, holding out Ashark.

Since resuming in late November, The Bus has maintained his consistency, racing five times for three wins and two seconds, including winning in a 1:56.1 rate over 1980m from the one draw in the Pub Group Gold Nugget at Tamworth on January 16.

The Art Major-Rondel Franco entire has taken his career record to 10 wins and 12 placings from 37 starts, for $92,718, in stakes, for owner, Grant Hatton.

MILLWOOD TILLY SHOWS SPEED IN QUALIFIER

Overport Lodge filly Millwood Tilly, by three-time NZ Cup champion Terror To Love (1:51), and the first foal from eight-win mare Albuquerque (1:58.1), showed smart speed in her 1:57 (1609m) Ashburton qualifier on Tuesday.

Driven by Sheree Tomlinson, she set a busy clip throughout the two-year-old fillies heat, only being caught late by close relative, the previously qualified Miss Ruby Sunshine.

The Mark Smolenski-trained Miss Ruby Sunshine, who qualified at Rangiora on January 15, is by Sunshine Beach (1:47.4) from Albuquerque’s half-sister Miss Sunshine, the one-win McArdle dam of fast Menangle winner Mattgregor (1:50.6, 15 wins & $136,666) and minor NZ winner, Miss Ethel Sunshine (1:59.4).

Miss Ruby Sunshine settled back but stormed home to win by a length in 1:56.9, despite the leaders last 800m in 56.2s and final 400m in 26.8s.

Millwood Tilly, and Sheree Tomlinson, lead She’s A Rebel into the first turn in their Ashburton 2YO Fillies trial.

Millwood Tilly held second, a length and a quarter clear of the Malcolm Shinn-trained Narcissit (Bettarthancheddar-Susie Maguire), who trailed for John Morrison, with the Cran Dalgety-trained She’s A Rebel (Bettor’s Delight-Highview Chasue) next for Alana Cameron.

Close relatives, Miss Rebel Sunshine and Millwood Tilly, have plenty of big-winning relatives.

Millwood Tilly’s dam Albuquerque was prepared by Graham Pearson, who enjoyed a couple of decades of good success with this family.

Albuquerque is a Bettor’s Delight sister to big NZ, Australian and USA winner Alberto Contador (1:49.8, 44 wins & $664,218), and also a sister to Duke Of Albany (1:54.4, 12 wins & $82,977).

Millwood Tilly’s grand-dam Princess Alberta (by Albert Albert) won six including a Nevele R Fillies Consolation and was the runner-up in a Great Northern Breeders 4YO Stakes.

Her fourth dam Catarina showed smart early promise for Pearson, winning twice before injury ended her race career.

At stud, she left six individual winners including Star Drifter (1:52.8, US; 15 wins & $172,737) and Ismay, the one-win dam of star performer Oaxaca Lass (p3, 1:55.8, 19 wins & $456,134), winner of the 2002 NZ Sires Stakes 3YO Fillies Final, Queensland Derby, Australian Oaks and 2003 Chariots Of Fire 4YO, when prepared by Neil Hamilton for Mr Pearson.

Oaxaca Lass is a sister to another hardy performer in Another Homer (1:52.2, US), who won six in NZ including the 2010 Roxburgh and Nelson Winter Cups, when prepared by Robbie Holmes for Mr Pearson.

Oaxaca Lass (by Holmes Hanover) has bred on, leaving 10 individual winners including Condrieu (1:51.5, Aust, 22 wins & $269,520); Weka Lass (six-wins) Meursault (three wins); Kusadasi (three wins); Intrepid Traveller (1:54.8, 16 wins & $81,857); Illegal Immigrant (1:55.2, 12 wins & $82,963), former Overport Lodge mare, Senorita Margarita (1:58.6, four wins); and recently exported mutliple Addington winner, Acuto (1:56.7, five wins), formerly trained for Mr Pearson by Brendon Hill.

Two daughters of Oaxaca Lass have also made their mark as broodmares, with Weka Pass leaving former useful south winner Reciprocity (1:55.1, Aust, 11 wins & $77,160), Shes Got Issues (1:58.3, eight Aust wins) and Sally Maclennane (1:59.3, three wins); and Kusadasi leaving Kardesler (1:56.1, four wins).

SIOUX PRINCESS FROM FAMILY OF DOMINION HANDICAP WINNERS

Sioux Princess may never win a Dominion Handicap but will be a valued broodmare later in life, being related to Dominion winners, Marcoola, Amaretto Sun and Lyell Creek.

The lightly-raced Majestic Son mare brought up her second win from only six starts when taking out the 3000m Club Waimea Trot in a 2:06.3 mile rate at Nelson on Sunday.

She maintained a strong finish wide out to win by a length from Unique Marshall and Shpeedy.

“I have got her to race then breed from,” said trainer Mark Jones.

“She will just race though. I hope she gets better as she has got a little bit of speed,” he said.

This was her first win for the Mark Jones stable, having won her debut at long odds for Lawrence McCormick at Addington last May, then undergoing an ownership change.

She is now raced by Derek Newton of Tancred Holdings, his brother Paul, a former trainer who prepared Rolls Hanover to win 12 races in the late 1980s and race in two NZ Cups, and Mark Jones’ company, WDC 03 Ltd

Amaretto Sun, shown winning the 2017 Dominion for driver, Sheree Tomlinson. Sioux Princess belongs to the same maternal family. Photo: Race Images, Christchurch).

Sioux Princess’s win added to the season of leading junior reinswoman, Sheree Tomlinson, who racked up her 27th win of the term, while this was Mark’s 16th training win for the season.

Both Sheree and Mark have enjoyed feature success with the family of Sioux Princess, a daughter of three-win mare Westwood Sioux, by Sundon from Lady Chiola, by Chiola Hanover-Blue Duck, by Tuft-Kahu.

Sheree reined Amaretto Sun (by Sundon-Laurel Creek, by Wingspread-Kahlum, by Noodlum-Kahu Del, by Armbro Del-Tee Kahu, by Tuft-Kahu), trained by her grand-father Ken Ford, for her first Group One victory in the 2017 Dominion.

The Ford-Tomlinson family were to the fore again this season with brilliant four lengths Dominion winner, Marcoola (Sundon-Arabess, by Grant Our Wishes-Laurel Creek).

Mark had a direct association with Lyell Creek (by Roydon Glen-Kahlum), driving him to win his final North American start at Woodbine, Canada, in 2003, shortly after the horseman’s World Driving Championship triumph there.

Lyell “Creek the Freak” returned to finish his NZ career with three further wins, including a third Dominion Handicap, and a Rowe Cup.

The remarkable 1:52.4 USA-winning square-gaiter retired a winner of 56 races in seven countries, for $2.96 million in stakes.

Kahlum, the unraced Noodlum dam of Lyell Creek; grand-dam of Amaretto Sun, and great grand-dam of Marcoola; is also a half-sister to smart pacers, Swan Creek (eight wins), Harnetts Creek (13 wins), and Cullen’s Creek (1:56.9, Aust, 14 wins & $141,761).

Kahola, another half-sister to Kahlum, is the dam of the ill-fated Kahdon (t, 1:59.3, six wins and five seconds from 14 starts for $177,234), who Mark also had a winning association.

Mark reined Kahdon for second to Vulcan in the 2010 Harness Jewels 3YO Ruby at Cambridge following her purchase by Australian owner Peter Chambers.

He then trained her just two Australian starts, winning the Group One Victorian Trotting Oaks, then finishing second to Rostevarren in a Victoria Trotting Derby Heat.

Kahdon’s half-brother is the useful winner Matatoki (1:59.6, Aust, 10 wins from 43 starts).

Kahlum is also the grand-dam of other smart pacers in Bettor’s Creek (1:56.1, 10 wins), Donegal Kahlum (1:54.9, seven wins) and Donegal Carrickfin (1:57.2, five wins).

This is also the family of 3YO filly pacer Vi Lee (Prodigal Seelster-Mackles Creek, TT: 1:56.6, by Holmes Hanover-Why Not Girl, by Smooth Fella-Kahu Del), who Mark drove to win at Winton last month for fellow Canterbury trainer, Stephen Boyd; and Stoney Creek (10 NZ wins, 1:55.2, US).

Kahu Del, the five-win dam of Kahlum, also left 2002 2YO Trotting Filly of the Year Lough Neagh, the dam of other smart trotters in Le Reveur (t, 1:57.6 US, six NZ trot wins) and Arboe (t, 1:55.5, Aust, seven wins), Ballyronan (t, 1:58.1, seven wins), Jay Pe De (t, 2:00.6, seven wins) and Ima Bourbon Girl (t, 1:57.8, seven wins).

Polar Blast, an unraced Muscles Yankee daughter of Kahu Del, is the dam of Ronald J (t, 1:58.7, nine wins) and Quevert (six wins).

While it’s early days in the career of Sioux Princess, she looks capable of taking a higher rating for the stable and adding to one of NZ’s top trotting pedigrees.