Latest News

LEANNE’S BOY ONLY IMPROVER IN LATEST DOMINION RANKINGS

The only change in the rankings for the $250,000 Hellers Dominion on Friday, November 13,  is an improvement of three spots by Leanne’s Boy, from 30 to 27.

Stent shown beating Sheemon in the ffa on NZ Cup day last year. They will be the main rivals of Master Lavros in November’s Dominon.

The newcomer to the Barry Purdon stable was successful first-up last week at Auckland.

Lastest Dominion Handicap rankings are:

1 Stent, 2 Sheemon, 3 Master Lavros, 4 Used To Me, 5 Kincaslough 6 Alley Way, 7 Vincennes, 8 One Over Da Moon, 9 Jag’s Invasion, 10 King Denny, 11 Habibti, 12 Daryl Boko, 13 Prime Power, 14 Kyvalley Blur, 15 Realmein

Outside the cut-line: 16 Valmagne, 17 Quite A Moment, 18 Overanova, 19 Springbank Sam, 20 Royal Aspirations, 21 Boizel, 22 Cool Cobber, 23 Uncas, 24 Monbet, 25 Majestic Time, 26 Escapee, 27 Leanne’s Boy, 28 Prestine, 29 Harrysul, 30 Al Bundy, 31 Wingsonhai.

Withdrawals: Clover Don, Maori Time, Sol Invictus, Waterloo Sunset, Monty Python, Live The Dream, Speeding Spur, Jaccka Justy.

Meanwhile, HRNZ Communications and Marketing co-ordinator Courtney Clarke reports the win of the Tony Herlihy-trained Ohoka Punter in the Spring Cup at Auckland last week has seen him edge in front of the Barry Purdon-trained stablemates, Sky Major and Lancewood Lizzie, on the lastest rankings for the $750,00 Christchurch Casino NZ Cup on November 10.

Lewy Risk, who won a lower-grade race at Addington last Friday, has jumped up one spot to 28, ahead of Quick As A Trick, who was one of the beaten brigade behind Lewy Risk.

Two withdrawals came from the NZ Cup in the past week. Both Jason Rulz (transferrred to West Australia) and Mach Beauty, won’t be taking  their part in the great race in 2015.

The next rankings update will be released next Tuesday afternoon.

Latest NZ Cup rankings

1 Christen Me, 2 Arden Rooney, 3 Smolda, 4 Franco Ledger, 5 Franco Nelson, 6 Tiger Tara, 7 Ohoka Punter, 8 Sky Major, 9 Corzin Terror, 10 Easy On The Eye, 11 Lancewood Lizzie, 12 Venus Serena, 13 Mossdale Conner, 14 Forever Gold, 15 Mighty Flying Mac.

Outside the cut-line: 16 Belkmyster, 17 Bit Of A Legend, 18 Te Kawau, 19 Dalton Bromac, 20 Alleluia, 21 Choise Achiever, 22 Messini, 23 Brilliant Strike, 24 Chancellor Cullen, 25 No Doctor Needed, 26 Bettor Dream, 27 Mach’s Gladiator, 28 Lewy Risk, 29 Quick As A Trick, 30 Jivin Cullen, 31 Ideal Success, 32 Provocative Prince, 33 Delightful Dash, 34 Major Star.

Withdrawn: Jason Rulz, Mach Beauty, Ballindooley, Major Bubbles, Saveapatrol, Zakspatrol.

NZMTC RETURN PROFIT AFTER DEPRECIATION

October 6, 2015

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc. (NZMTC) has announced its annual result for the year ended July 31, 2015, in which it recorded an operating surplus of $274,371 after allowing for depreciation of $945,808.

NZMTC Chairman Barry Dent said “this is our fifth consecutive annual operating surplus which assists the Club in building a sustainable financial environment for the benefit of all industry stakeholders.”

This result was achieved whilst increasing returns to stakeholders by 9.5% during the 201415 season with $7.55 million paid out in stakes and incentives.

Further notable developments during the year included average starter numbers per race holding steady at 10.98 compared to a national average of 10.71, a record year reported from the
Functions and Events Centre, the most commercially successful Cup Day in the Club’s history and the continued strengthening of our property portfolio to produce ongoing returns which underpin the long term financial performance of the Club.

“These developments reflect our Strategic and Business Plans to future proof our Club,” Dent concluded.

It was also extremely rewarding for the Club to be announced as the winner of the Retail/Hospitality Medium/Large Enterprise category at the prestigious 2015 Champion Canterbury Business Awards.

This was a terrific thrill and due reward for a great 2014 calendar year, which was the timeframe being assessed.

The Club’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday October 12, 2015, at 5.30 pm.

The Annual Report can be viewed at www.addington.co.nz

Courtesy of Ged Mooar Marketing & Commercial Manager, Addington

CRAIG FERGUSON & FAIR DINKUM BROMAC DELIVER AT TIMARU

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones was pleased to credit part-time winter stable employee Craig Ferguson with a win behind Fair Dinkum Bromac in the junior drivers race at Timaru on Sunday, October 5.

“It was good for Craig to win on one of mine as he’s been a great help over the years,” Mark said.

Fair Dinkum Bromac,scored his ninth career win on Sunday, but moves to a C2 assessment for his future racing.

Craig Ferguson gained the Fair Dinkum Bromac drive as Kimberly Butt was competing in Australia in an invited drivers series last week, and he had to put in the hard yards up and down State Highway 1 to notch his third win for the weekend.

Craig, who teamed up with Invercargill trainer Wayne Adams last term, reined Shillelagh to win for Michael House in the junior race at Addington on Friday night.

He returned to Invercargill for another win with Robyn’s Bad Boy on Saturday, before heading north to Timaru on Sunday morning.

This was Craig’s sixth win of the new season, placing him third on this season’s junior table behind Brad Williamson (eight) and Kimberly Butt (seven). He finished with 36 junior driving wins last term, and 24 two seasons ago.

Second-last on settling with Fair Dinkum Bromac, Craig found good cover four deep on the markers in the blustery conditions, then switched him one off in midfield beginning the last 800m.

Switched wide, Fair Dinkum Bromac and Craig completed a busy weekend with purpose, unwinding strongly to beat New York Town and Tubbys Sister in a 2:02.3 rate, the leaders last 800m in 59.3s and final 400m in 28.3s.

Fair Dinkum Bromac had also snared an invited junior drivers penalty-free win as part of a NZ Junior Drivers Heat race in the hands of Tony Cameron at Addington on July 16.

The drop-back concession in the handicapping system has also been a benefit to Fair Dinkum Bromac, who has been up and down the C1-4 grades for the last four years.

The hardy Falcon Seelster gelding has to be one of the best placed C2 pacers in New Zealand.

The 9YO veteran of 134 race starts racked up his ninth career win on Sunday, taking his career earnings to $73,799.

He had dropped back to a C1 rating after an unplaced run at Addington on Friday, but goes back to C2 for taking out the C1-3 pace as you can only get one penalty-free drivers race win.

Fair Dinkum Bromac will continue to rack up the Addington starts this month as he chases down a Met Multiplier bonus for 15 starts in a 12-month rolling period, including a win.

“He still needs a few starts to get the bonus,” Mark said.

Mark, meanwhile, was happy with top trotter Master Lavros in last Friday’s Addington resumption.

Master Lavros stepped smartly off the 30m line to lead after the opening 300m and Mark drove him positively, only to be outgunned in the run home by fellow top squaregaiter Stent.

The winner, who was also resuming off the 30m-line, won going away in a slick 3:18.6 for the 2600m (stand), the leaders last 800m in 56.6s and final 400m in 27.6s.

“Master Lavros had every chance but the other one was too good,” Mark said.

By Jeff Scott

ITZ BILLY HILLIS SOLD TO MELBOURNE INTERESTS

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones has sold promising 3YO qualifier Itz Billy Hillis to Melbourne interests.

The Bettor’s Delight colt is closely-rated to three time Group One-winning Australian filly Itz Nosurprisesthere, and last season’s smart 3YO Itz Bettor To Win, other recent notables bearing the “Itz” prefix, bred by Bob and Norma McMeeking.

Itz Billy Hillis, a 3YO Bettor’s Delight colt, sold out of the Mark Jones stable to race in Victoria.

“We got good money for him and it is too hard to earn in New Zealand,” Mark said.

Itz Billy Hillis qualified in front on a slushy track over 2600m at Rangiora on September 23, holding by 2 1/2 lengths in 3:29.5.

A week earlier on a fast track at the Rangiora workouts, Itz Billy Hillis led up and cleared out by 4 1/2 lengths over his last 800m in 56.2s and final 400m in 27.3s.

He’s bred to be win races, being a brother to Itz Dreamin Jonesy (1:55.1, Aust), being from an unraced Christian Cullen mare in Itz Got The Giggles, a daughter of Itz In The Blood (Butler BG-Itz Magic, TT, 1:55.6, four wins).

The family has bred on with Itz Queen Of Newyork, a New York Motoring mare from Itz Regal, a half-sister by Clever Innocence to Itz Magic, leaving Itz Nosurprisesthere (1:58, six win from 15 starts for $A216,900).

After being developed by Mark Jones, Itznosurprisesthere was on-sold to Australia to maximise her earning potential after being unluckily born in the same season as NZ champion Adore Me, last year’s NZ Cup winner and Australasia’s fasest pacer with her 1:47.7 mile at Menangle.

Itznosurprisesthere made her mark in Australia, winning the NSW Oaks, the Tasmanian Oaks and the Queensland Oaks.

The daughter of McArdle is a half-sister to Itz Cherry Ripe (1:51.4, US) and half-brother to Itz The Promised One (1:59.3, seven wins & $A39,736).

Itz All About Me, a lightly-raced Courage Under Fire race-winning half-sister to Itz Cherry Ripe and Itznosurprisesthere, has gained notoriety as the dam of Itz Bettor To Win, a debut winner of the Group Three Alabar NZ Kindergarten Stakes at two in 1:54.3 (1609m) and now the winner of six of 12 starts for $92,475.

Itz Bettor To Win, a Bettor’s Delight entire developed by Mark Jones before being sold unraced to the Allstars stable, also scored a Group Two win in the $45,625 Alabar Classic for 3YOs at Auckland last December, and ran fourth to top stablemate Have Faith In Me in the Group One New Zealand Derby at Addington when last racing on March 27.

By Jeff Scott

MINIMUM STAKE INCREASE AT THE MET

September 30, 2015

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club is delighted to announce an increase in its minimum stake level to $7500 effective from November 1.

Club Chairman Barry Dent commented “Due to a solid 2014-15 financial performance and a strong start to this season, the Club was eager to continue to increase returns to stakeholders who choose to support us.”

“The substantial increases in stakes and bonuses in recent years at the Raceway have been funded entirely from non-racing revenue and in particular from the success enjoyed by the Club’s Events Centre and property related initiatives.

“This was further endorsed with the recent announcement of Addington Raceway and Events Centre as a winner of the Medium/Large Retail/Hospitality category at the prestigious Champion Canterbury Business Awards.”

“Our continued focus is ensuring any increases in stakes and bonuses here at the Raceway are sustainable and stakeholders can rely on these to be continued into the future.

“We are all trying to build a stronger harness racing industry in New Zealand and the foundation for that objective must come from sustainable increases in returns to all stakeholders.”

“With stakes and bonuses up 20% here at Addington since 2012, we are certainly trying our best to play a key role in building this base and this further increase in the minimum stake to $7500 will, I am sure, be well received by all industry participants.”

Courtesy of Ged Mooar, Marketing & Commercial Manager, Addington

WITHDRAWALS HAVE ELEVATED OTHERS FOR DOMINION HANDICAP

The withdrawals of Clover Don, Maori Time, Sol Invictus and Waterloo Sunset, have improve the position of many in the latest rankings for the Dominion Handicap at Addington in November.

Master Lavros, the 3rd-ranked Dominon Handicap entry, who resumes at Addington on Frfday night.

Those to make more definitive moves included; Kyvalley Blur who placed second to Maori Time in a recent Melton FFA;  while Valmagne and Quite A Moment jumped six and four spots respectively for their Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup placings.

Overanova who continues to be the outstanding trotter in Queensland improved slightly.

Back-to-back wins edging him ahead of Springbank Sam and Royal Aspirations who have yet to step out this season.

Prestine’s fourth in the Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup saw her work up to 27^th.

Latest Dominion Handicap rankings are:

1 Stent, 2 Sheemon, 3 Master Lavros, 4 Used To Me, 5 Kincaslough, 6 Alley Way, 7 Vincennes 8 One Over Da Moon, 9 Jag’s Invasion, 10 King Denny, 11 Habibti, 12 Daryl Boko, 13 Prime Power, 14 Kyvalley Blur, 15 Realmein, 16 Valmagne, 17 Quite A Moment, 18 Overanova, 19 Springbank Sam, 20 Royal Aspirations, 21 Boizel, 22 Cool Cobber, 23 Uncas, 24 Monbet, 25 Majestic Time, 26 Escapee, 27 Prestine, 28 Harrysul, 29 Al Bundy, 30 Leanne’s Boy, 31 Wingsonhai.

Withdrawals:  Clover Don, Maori Time, Sol Invictus, Waterloo Sunset, Monty Python, Live The Dream, Speeding Spur, Jaccka Justy.

A strong win in Melbourne has seen Franco Ledger nudge ahead of Franco Nelson, to fourth, in the latest HRNZ rankings for November’s New Zealand Cup.

Tiger Tara’s spirited second behind Cup favourite Christen Me in the New Brighton Cup now has him in sixth position.

A big late run for third in the same race sees Bit Of A Legend jump to 18^th from 23^rd.

The impressive win of Brilliant Strike, albeit in a lower-graded race saw him edge past Mach Beauty and Chancellor Cullen, two Aussies that are yet to hit their straps this season.

No Doctor Needed was rewarded for his fourth in the biggest race of the season so far by jumping seven spots to 27^th. The only other mover in the Cup rankings was Mach’s Gladiator who jumped to 29^th following his FFA win on October 17^th.

Latest NZ Cup rankings are:

1 Christen Me, 2 Arden Rooney, 3 Smolda, 4 Franco Ledger, 5 Franco Nelson, 6 Tiger Tara, 7 Sky Major, 8  Ohoka Punter, 9 Corzin Terror, 10 Easy On The Eye, 11 Venus Serena, 12 Lancewood Lizzie, 13 Mossdale Conner, 14 Jason Rulz, 15 Forever Gold, 16 Mighty Flying Mac, 17 Belkmyster, 18 Bit Of A Legend, 19 Te Kawau, 20 Dalton Bromac, 21 Alleluia, 22 Choise Achiever, 23 Messini, 24 Brilliant Strike, 25 Mach Beauty, 26 Chancellor Cullen, 27 No Doctor Needed, 28 Bettor Dream, 29 Mach’s Gladiator, 30 Quick As A Trick, 31 Lewy Risk, 32 Jivin Cullen, 33 Ideal Success, 34 Provocative Prince, 35 Delightful Dash, 36 Major Star.

Withdrawals:  Ballindooley, Major Bubbles, Saveapatrol, Zakspatrol.

SPIRIT ECLIPSE RACING FOR RONALD McDONALD CHARITY

The horse racing for a great cause is due to have his first start under his new ownership at Motukarara on Sunday, September 27, 2015.

Spirit Eclipse is a standardbred racehorse that severely fractured his leg in a training accident in November 2014. This was a life threatening injury for the horse in that only two treatment options were available; euthanasia or attempt surgical repair of the fracture, in the hope that the horse would race again.

Witnessing a fighting spirit in the horse, Canterbury Equine Clinic stepped in to save him.

With Spirit Eclipse a symbol of hope, the idea arose to use this opportunity to raise funds for a much bigger and wider-reaching cause, The Ronald McDonald House South Island.

Canterbury Equine Clinic successfully performed surgery on Spirit Eclipse.

All costs associated with his surgery, convalescence and now on-going veterinary care have been donated by the Canterbury Equine Clinic.

After four months, Spirit Eclipse was fit to resume training again.

A Spirit Eclipse syndicate, made up of Spirit Eclipse Charter Members, was formed to cover the costs of his training, provided at a significantly discounted rate by trainer Nigel McGrath.

These Spirit Eclipse Charter Members are people from the general population who have embraced the opportunity to fundraise for an incredible cause. They have each donated $250 to join the syndicate.

The Spirit Eclipse Syndicate will race the horse. He will race in specially commissioned Ronald McDonald House South Island colours.

All stake money won during Spirit Eclipse’s on-going racing career will be donated to Ronald McDonald House South Island.

In addition to that, all money left over after racing expenses from the Charter member contributions will also go directly to Ronald McDonald House South Island.

At the end of his racing career, Spirit Eclipse will be retired with a good home already arranged.

Spirit Eclipse is to race at the Banks Peninsula meeting at the picturesque Motukarara Raceway on Sunday (27th September). He is competing in the aptly named Spirit Eclipse-Racing For Ronald McDonald House (SI) Pace at 4.36pm.

There is already interest from several news and media outlets to cover the race. Hopefully he will be able to give everyone something wonderful to cheer about.

For more information visit www.spiriteclipse.co.nz

Courtesy of Stacey Markham,

Marketing & Communications Manager | Harness Racing New Zealand Inc