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NSWHRC MID-WEEK PRIZEMONEY LIFT

The NSW Harness Racing Club will increase mid-week prizemoney a massive 14 per cent to $8000 a race from October 1.

The principal club will increase midweek prizemoney from the current $7,000, which equates to more than $400,000 in additional prizemoney over the course of a year.

At a consistent $8,000 prizemoney per race for meetings run each and every week the new level is the highest nationally for non metropolitan meetings.

NSWHRC chief executive Bruce Christison explained that the club had made the decision to advance the proposed prizemoney increases which were expected to eventually flow from the wagering tax harmonisation announced by the State Government.

“While we have been told the tax reductions will be phased in over a five-year period, until the legislation is introduced to Parliament and HRNSW are in a position to make announcements, we cannot be certain of the timing,” Christison said.

“The club has discussed this with HRNSW it could be up to three years until sufficient funding levels required to pay for the proposed increases across all races flow through.

“So the club decided it would fund this in the short term.

“If we are to sustain the payments over the longer period we will obviously be relying upon the benefits from tax relief.”

Christison pointed out that his club was committed to growing prizemoney, at all levels.

“However, after consulting with industry participants, we have identified that midweek prizemoney levels are the No. 1 priority – in the short term,” he said.

“Our aim is to eventually lift these races to $10,000.

Christison pointed out that since the proceeds of the Harold Park sale began to flow four years ago the NSWHRC had contributed more than $20m of its own funds into prizemoney.

“This is over and above the prizemoney obligations the club has from TAB and Racefields Legislation funding,” he said.

“The club has maintained these levels despite the fact that investment earnings over this period have been well below the forecasts made when the Harold Park sale was negotiated.

“The club also acknowledges that the industry requires more than just prizemoney injections.

“Stay tuned for more news in this regard over the coming weeks.”

Courtesy of Sean Vella, NSWHRC

MASTER LAVROS GALLOPS EARLY, BUT BIG RECOVERY

Top squaregaiter Master Lavros looks set to carry on where he left off last season after a sterling first-up trial at Addington on Monday, September 14.

Top squaregaiter Master Lavros and Mark Jones.

Now seven, the big Sundon gelding had six weeks off ending last term with back-to-back Addington wins in May.

He was just a bit too fresh at the start, galloping away off the 40m tape and giving the leaders 100m before clicking into his trotting stride.

With Young Stranger running the heat along up front, Master Lavros tacked on at the back and finished off with purpose from the home turn, closing the gap to four lengths at the line.

Young Stranger trotted the 2600m in 3:23.4 off the front (last 800m in 59.3s.

Overport Lodge trainer-driver Mark Jones timed Master Lavros to run his last 2400m in around 2:59 and his closing 800m in 57s, a top trial first-up for the season.

“I was happy with him,” Mark said.

“He was fresh at start but trotted great after. He felt super and did it easy so I’m very happy at this stage.”

“He is pretty forward fitness-wise, so one more quiet trial then race at Addington on October 2.”

The 2013 Dominion winner returns this term having won 17 from 42 starts, for $427,194 in earnings.

SAVEAPATROL FACES UNCERTAIN FUTURE AFTER INJURY

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones has had to make “that” phone call to owner Grant Hatton following a devastating setback to top pacer Saveapatrol.

Not only is the lightly-raced star out of today’s Hannon and November’s New Zealand Cup, but his future is uncertain after sustaining a tendon tear high up in his superficial tendon.

Brilliant pacer Saveapatrol in action at the Rangiora trials on Wednesday.

“It is the worst phone call to make to Grant (Hatton) and the worst part about training horses, but is part of the job and can happen anytime to anyone,” Mark said.

“I know all the time and effort, especially Regan (Todd), myself and my staff, have put into him. We did everything we could to keep him sound,” he said.

The tear is in the same leg he sustained an injury previously.

“But last time it was a deep digital tendon so its a completely different injury and so gutting,” Mark said.

Saveapatrol, the big gelded son of Christian Cullen and Rondel Franco, will have the tendon scanned next week.

“At this stage, our only option looks like doing an operation and give him a decent break, so he’ll be out for at least six months,” Mark said.

“I just have to hope we get him back to the races.”

“The vet didn’t give us much hope of racing him again but I am confident with the right rehab and all the work Regan puts into looking after him that we will get him back racing.”

The injury is extremely frustrating, after Saveapatrol had a precautionary operaton and a year off following an Auckland Cup third in the hope of preserving his long-term race future.

Saveapatrol, winning the Thames Cup at Alexandra Park on July 3. (Trish Dunell photo).

“It only happens to the good horses,” Mark said.

“I have no doubts he was a serious winning chance in the New Zealand Cup.”

“Both Grant (Hatton) and I may never get another horse as good as him, so we will put everything we can into getting him back to the races.”

Saveapatrol resumed in late June, winning the Thames Cup second-up in early July, then had to be freshened again with a foot infection.

He stepped out with a nose win from the trail at the Rangiora trials on Wednesday (last 800m in 55.5s), pleasing in preparation for a scheduled Hannon return.

The 6YO has raced only 18 times for 11 wins, a second, and a third, earning $145,618 in stakes.

By Jeff Scott

SAVEAPATROL TRIALLING WEDNESDAY; HANNON POSSIBLE

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones will assess on Wednesday whether Saveapatrol is up to speed for the $25,000 Hannon Memorial at Oamaru on Sunday week (September 13).

Saveapatrol, back on track this week for a lead-up run building to the Oamaru Club’s Hannon Memorial.

“Saveapatrol will trial (Rangiora workouts) on Wednesday and I’ll decide on the Hannon after the trial,” Mark said.

“The problem is there is no race for him until the end of the month if I miss the Hannon.”

Saveapatrol picked up a hoof infection after winning the Thames Cup at Auckland on July 3 and had been given time to recover.

“Its frustrating when you have a nice horse and you can’t get weekly races so the Hannon is likely.”

Saveapatrol, now six, only raced twice at Auckland in June-July, after returning from a 14-month layoff.

The lightly-raced Christian Cullen gelding resumes this term having raced just 18 times for 11 wins, a second and a third, for $145,618 in stakes.

Meanwhile, top squaregaiter Master Lavros will step out for the first time in the new season at the Methven workouts on Saturday.

“All going well, he’ll return to racing on October 3,” Mark said.

Master Lavros, now seven, was spelled following back-to-back Addington wins in May, firstly over Stent, then over King Denny.

FIRST RANKINGS RELEASED FOR NOVEMBER FEATURES

THE Addington/HRNZ Ranking Committee had a busy time on Wednesday, August 26, dealing to two sets of rankings for the first time at its initial meeting for 2015.

NZ Cup rankings as at August 26.

1. Christen Me

2. Arden Rooney

3. Smolda

4. Franco Nelson

Saveapatrol, an Overport Lodge nominee for the New Zealand Cup. (Trish Dunell photo).

5. Franco Ledger

6. Sky Major

7. Ohoka Punter

8. Tiger Tara

9. Corzin Terror

10. Easy On The Eye

11. Venus Serena

12. Lancewood Lizzie

13. Mossdale Conner

14. Forever Gold

15. Jason Rulz

16. Belkmyster

17. Te Kawau

18. Dalton Bromac

19. Alleluia

20. Messini

21. Bit Of A Legend

22. Saveapatrol

23. Choise Achiever

24. Mach Beauty

25. Chancellor Cullen

26. Brilliant Strike

27. Quick As A Trick

28. Lewy Risk

29. Jivin Cullen

30. Ideal Success

31. Mighty Flying Mac

32. Mach’s Gladiator

33. Ballindooley

34. Bettor Dream

35. No Doctor Needed

36. Major Bubbles

37. Delightful Dash

38. Major Star

39. Provocative Prince

40. Zakspatrol

Horses shall be ranked in the following descending order:

Winner 2014 New Zealand Trotting Cup – Adore Me (Retired).

Winner 2015 Auckland Cup – Christen Me.

Winner 2015 Inter Dominion Final- Beautide (Not nominated).

Winner 2015 Maurice Holmes Vase – To be held September 4.

Winner 2015 Avon City Ford Cup – To be held September 25.

Winner, 2nd, 3rd 2015 Canterbury Classic – To be held October 9.

Then competitiveness and performance in this seasons Group races leading up to the 2015 NZ Cup.

The competitiveness and performance in previous seasons Group races.

The competitiveness and performance in non black type races this season.

Dominion Handicap rankings, as at August 26

1. Jaccka Justy

2. Stent

3. Sheemon

Master Lavros, looking for a second Dominion Handicap triumph for trainer Mark Jones in November.

4. Master Lavros

5. Used To Me

6. Kincaslough

7. Alley Way

8. Vincennes

9. One Over Da Moon

10. Jag’s Invasion

11. King Denny

12. Habibti

13. Daryl Boko

14. Clover Don

15. Prime Power

16. Realmein

17. Kyvalley Blur

18. Maori Time

19. Springbank Sam

20. Speeding Spur

21. Royal Aspirations

22. Overanova

23. Boizel

24. Valmagne

25. Cool Cobber

26. Uncas

27. Monbet

28. Majestic Time

29. Quite A Moment

30. Escapee

31. Harrysul

32. Live The Dream

33. Sol Invictus

34. Al Bundy

35. Leanne’s Boy

36. Monty Python

37. Waterloo Sunset

38. Wingsonhai

39. Prestine

Horses shall be ranked in the following descending order:

Winner 2014 Dominion Trot – Jaccka Justy.

Winner 2015 Rowe Cup – Stent.

Winner 2015 Ordeal Cup – To be held September 11.

Winner 2015 Canterbury Park Trotting Cup – To be held October 9.

Winner, 2nd, 3rd 2015 Trotting Free-For-All – To be held November 10.

Then competitiveness and performance in this seasons Group races leading up to the 2015 Dominion Trot.

The competitiveness and performance in previous seasons Group races

The competitiveness and performance in non black type races this season.

In a rare situation, a marked increase in Australian and international nominations made comparing the various merits of horses more difficult, but it is exciting to see so many varied form-lines coming together for races like the Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup and Hellers Dominion.

The NZ Trotting Cup rankings are headed by last season’s ‘Horse of the Year’ Christen Me, with Australian nomination and Hunter Cup winner Arden Rooney at two, being the top ranked visitor.

While the NZ Cup is missing stars such as Adore Me and Terror To Love, a new guard is set to take their place. The committee was impressed with the overall depth and quality of those nominated, which suggests an intriguing spring build-up is in store. There is the potential to have a large group of quality up-and-comers clambering for spots in the lead-up to harness racing’s great race.

In the Dominion, defending champion Jaccka Justy heads the list, just ahead of Trotter of the Year, Stent and the ever-present Sheemon. An exciting aspect is the addition of two well-performed European trotters. This is sure to add a significant edge to the Dominion and its lead-up.

Ranking the Hellers Dominion proved to be an interesting process for the committee. Addington Racing Manager Brian Rabbit explains; “It’s tremendous having the international flavour adding to the Dominion. The Australian nominations are well credentialed, which is great for the potential depth of the race but that also gave us some headaches.”

“The trickiest part for the committee was weighing up the two European horses, Used To Me and Daryl Boko. Both have competed very well in the hotbed of European trotting. Used To Me is a proven top-level type performer in France, while Daryl Boko ran third when favourite in the Finnish Derby last year, a Group 1 race worth 221,000 Euros and brings over solid Swedish form.”

“We had to exercise discretion for the European pair, as they clearly fall outside of what the ranking criteria was introduced to cover.”

The connections of smart trotter Boizel have made a Late Payment to nominate and he now takes the total number of Hellers Dominion nominations to 39.

The next set of rankings will be released following a committee meeting on Tuesday September 8, following the Maurice Holmes Vase on September 4.

Story and rankings courtesy of HRNZ.