HRNZ Media Bites, April 10

J Scott Latest News

HRNZ MEDIA BITES, APRIL 10, 2013

Christen Me not going to Miracle Mile: Despite a crushing win in the Superstars Championship last Friday at Addington Christen Me is going to stay home and tackle the features at Auckland before the Harness Jewels. That’s great news for Kiwi race fans, not so much for potential race rivals. There is the prospect of a clash with Gold Ace in the Messenger and Taylor Mile though. The two races opened up to four and five years will make for an interesting series of races but it will likely be a four-year-old that dominates the markets for those races.

Carabella is back: The trial was very good on Monday but reports since suggests all isn’t 100% with the star mare. Scans have revealed Carabella’s bad leg is okay but her good leg is sore. The extent of the damage is yet to be fully known. Here’s hoping she holds together. Would be great to have her back on the scene for some late-season battles with Bettor Cover Lover and Co. Read more here http://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/1325-setback-after-trial-win-for-carabella

Habibti’s record run: It’s been one of the major talking points since she ran a ridiculous 3.13.5 for the 2600m mobile in the NZ Trotting Derby last Friday. A time that so obliterated the previous record for a filly that it is now the second fastest time for a trotter over the distance in NZ. Habibti ran just 0.2 outside the all-comers record owned by Ima Gold Digger.

Franco Nelson down…but not out:  There was one glaring omission from last week’s Muscara Standardbreds NZ Derby, Franco Nelson. Reports from Spreydon Lodge trainer Steve McRae are that he’s okay but not 100%. “He’s had bone scans and they found some niggly problems that we’ll need to manage through to the end of the season. Longer term he may need a small operation or a decent break from the track. He’s had about 10 days off now but the Jewels are still very much a target. We’ll be looking to race him at the end of this month or the start of May in preparation for the (Harness) Jewels.”

Vulcan trip up in the air: Reports filtering through suggest that Vulcan’s trip to the Elitloppet may not be as ‘on’ as previously thought. Will be interesting to see what unfolds in coming days as this story develops.

Pre Nominations Auckland Autumn Carnival: This Friday see early nominations being taken for the three features on May 3rd at Auckland Trotting Club’s big night. 11am Friday is when that happens. The races involved are the Rowe Cup, Northern Trotting Derby and NZ Messenger – all at Group 1. Fixed Odds Futures books will follow the release of the nominations in due course.

99-year-old to have a drive at Forbury Park Thursday night: Central Otago harness fan and owner, 99-year-old Graham (Toby) Robertson, will have a spin around on a Dual Sulky at Forbury Park tomorrow night in between races.  The harness racing devotee is very spritely despite his ‘experience’ and will enjoy a huge thrill when piloting, possibly his own horse (Expressionist) in a dual sulky race involving Dunedin City Mayor Dave Cull.

Barron watch: Ken is on 999 still. Any day now he’ll get the job done. His team and those he’s driving are racing well – he just needs that one to get the run to get him over the line. Ken is down to drive small books at Forbury Park (Thurs), Addington (Fri) and Winton (Sun).

Dream Team off to promising start: With just under 800 entries in the inaugural online Dream Team we are underway. Great effort by the HRNZ IT Department to get this beast off the ground. As it plays out there will be more little tweaks and enhancements with the competition. The ultimate plan is really develop the competition for a bigger undertaking next season.

Harness Jewels: Attention is now rapidly starting to turn towards the Harness Jewels. We’ll see the famous Jewels yellow colours out and about next week and all the leader boards now take a lot more focus. Attached with the Media Bites are the current Leader Boards.  Fixed Odds for the Harness Jewels will be released following the Rowe Cup Carnival in Early May.  

Quick Bits: Bettor’s Delight sired the first four home in the Muscara Standardbreds NZ Derby last week. Pembrook Benny will do his immediate racing out of the Peter Walsh stable in Sydney. Terror To Love second favourite in pre-post Miracle Mile betting. Excel Stride is top pick following his big Newcastle Mile win. Kabet took four seconds off the track record for a three-year-old filly with her stunning win at Ascot Park last Sunday. Exciting Aussie/Kiwi-bred 2yo Allblack Stride will be in NZ on April 20 and will be based at Cran Dalgety’s in West Melton.

Courtesy of Andrew Morris, Communications & Marketng Manager, HRNZ

HRNZ Media Bites, April 3

J Scott Latest News

HRNZ MEDIA BITES, APRIL 3, 2013

 

Blitzthemcalder set to take on gun Trotting Derby field: This Friday’s Seelite Windows & Doors NZ Trotting Derby shapes up as a very strong one. The Aussie Blitzthemcalder will add significant flavour to the race and it promises to be a cracker with no clear top dog amongst the sophomore trotters right now. Clearly the likes of Habibti, Royal Aspirations, Sheemon and the Purdon trio of Paramount Queen, Saratoga and Sunoflindenny will put up a tough fight.

Blitzthemcalder is staying at Mark Purdon’s All Stars Stables while in Canterbury. Chris Alford will take the drive.

Punter eyes up third Derby: Following on from his Victoria and Northern Derby wins Ohoka Punter will be the hot property in this weeks Muscara Standardbreds NZ Derby. There’s a lot to like about this year’s Derby field with 12 very serious race horses involved but on the face of it Ohoka Punter is clearly the horse to beat and if he won he could start to etch out his own little bit of history too. Should a third Derby drop in there’s also the prospect of a trip to Australia and a title at Queensland Derby riches.  Here’s the link for Addington’s Premier fields this Friday night  http://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahr/fields/040532fd.htm

Vulcan makes it 10 Group 1s: The effort for Vulcan to come back from an exhausting Aussie campaign and notch another Group 1 at Addington last week can not go undersold. He’s just a great little warhorse whose toughness and aptitude have carried him so far. For the record he’s now won 17 races and $918k.

Highview Tommy joins rich list: It probably wasn’t the way his connections might have envisaged it but with his fourth in the Easter Cup on Saturday night Highview Tommy broke that million-dollar barrier in prize money. To recap Highview Tommy has won two Group Ones; the Welcome Stakes and Ballarat Cup. He’s won a Harness Jewels crown too but only as a Listed race back in 2008. To date Tommy has raced 96 times for 17 wins and 26 placings his stakes total just over $1,004 million. A tremendous FFA campaigner.

Ken Barron still waiting for that win: Ken Barron still sits on 999 career wins in NZ.  He has four drives at Addington on Friday but a big book at Ascot Park on Sunday. Maybe he’s waiting until he gets home to break the milestone?

Dream Team Comp commences this Friday night: If you want to be in the Dream Team competition with HRNZ you have until Friday at 4pm to do so. Entries are still coming in and no doubt there will be the usual late flood. Don’t miss out, this should be good fun. Of course if your team is the best you’ll win a trip for two to the Breeders Crown in Melbourne in August.

Date change works wonders for Canterbury Country Cup: A very strong field will be assembled for the Country Cups Final for Canterbury at Rangiora on Sunday. Previously run at Addington, before a move to Rangiora last year and since then the date has come forward three weeks and has attracted a powerful field with many Group performed horses involved and stars of the local Cups circuit.

Matthew Williamson: getting it done: Young driver Matthew Williamson has been going about his business very well this season and with 82 driving wins to date he’s poised to eclipse his previous best of 87 wins very shortly. The Oamaru-based driver flies under the radar a little by virtue of competing a lot in the deep south but his efforts must be celebrated. He’s poised to join an elite club of junior drivers to have driven 100 winners in a season. To date that list includes; Dexter Dunn, Mark Jones and Zac Butcher.

Quick Bits: Unbeaten Australian two-year-old colt Allblack Stride (ironic) is heading to our shores to race. He was sold through the NZ Yearling Sales and is paid up for the NZ Sires Stakes and PGG Wrightson Yearling Sales series.

Classy pacer Easy On The Eye goes around in a strong Newcastle Mile on Saturday night – as does (My) Temudjin for Tim Butt. Stablemate of Easy On The Eye, Kiwi Ideal, lines up in a heat of the Iraklis Championship.

Courtesy of Andrew Morris, Communciations & Marketing Manager, HRNZ

HRNZ Media Bites, March 27

J Scott Latest News

 

HRNZ MEDIA BITES, MARCH 27, 2013

 

Vulcan returns home with a more incredible Group 1 strike rate: Vulcan as a racehorse is becoming a bizarre story. He’s been in scintillating form of late, which culminated in his Great Southern Star win last Saturday but when you dig deeper into his record that’s where the unusual reveals itself. It’s fair to say there have been few horses in history that have picked better times to win than Vuclan. The winner of 16 career races, he now has a remarkable Group 1-winning strike-rate. A staggering 9 of his 16 wins have come at Group 1 level. All 5 of Vulcan’s Australian wins have been at Group 1 level. Throw in the Dominion, NZ Trotting FFA and a couple of Harness Jewels and the picture is complete. Vulcan has now won $874k in stakes. That put’s him up there with some of the best we’ve produced. This week he again eyes up Group 1 success at Addington (NZ Trotting Championship, Saturday night) and there’s little doubt he’ll be favoured to win again, thus further enhancing this rare record he’s assembled.

Colin De Filippi gets three weeks for Stent drive: Colin De Filippi was given three weeks suspension by the JCA at his sentencing case last Friday night. De Filippi drove Stent to a narrow second back on Feb 22 and the Stipendiary Stewards charged him with “not taking all reasonable and permissible measures” to win the race. De Filippi himself admitted the error of judgement and following a lengthy process of evidence and testimony the JCA imposed a sentence of three weeks.

De Filippi’s holiday isn’t ideal for him but what it has done is created a phenomenal opportunity for young woman driver Samantha Ottley. The lass from Geraldine has impressed many judges with her driving and development since kicking off her career and in what has already been her best season to date (24 wins) her early reward will be a opportunity to pilot one of the country’s better trotters in a Group 1 feature. Stent and Ottley will have their work cut out however. Vulcan heads up a select field or the NZ Trotting Championship on Saturday night but there isn’t a quicker trotter in the race than Stent.

Small field for Easter Cup: Terror To Love looks set to dominate another Group One race in New Zealand. With no Themightyquinn to deal with this week and just six rivals, Terror To Love looks very well placed to etch another notch on his Group 1 belt. The win could also be key in the quest for Horse of the Year honours. Though he’s looking okay right now, any further success will enhance his claims for the ultimate title at season’s end.

Bit Of A Legend and Arden Rooney set to add depth to NZ Derby: There was a light field for the Vero Flying Stakes at Addington last week, which is a key Derby lead-up but the cavalry is coming for the big race. This Saturday we’ll get to see Bit Of A Legend and Arden Rooney return to the track. Both are proven at Group 1 level with Bit Of A Legend a Group 1 winner.Likely to add further spine to the Derby field next week will be the impressive Ascot Park winner from last week Saveapatrol so the race is developing well. That said it appears it will take a monumental performance or some bad luck to bump Ohoka Punter from top spot in the race. He was imperious again last week and is now really starting to flex his muscles and assume dominance over his three-year-old rivals.

Star Aussie trotter here for 3YO classics: Blitzthemcalder is here in NZ and ready to shake up the 3YO trotting scene. He arrived in Christchurch yesterday and is likely to have a hit-out on the weekend before contesting the NZ Trotting Derby next Friday. The hulking trotter was an impressive winner in his homeland last weekend over some smart expats Kiwi trotters so he looks like being a force in upcoming classic races. All being well Blitzthemcalder will race here until the Harness Jewels and, yes, you can have him in your Dream Team.

For the record: Blitzthemcalder has won 13 from 17, including a Breeders Crown Final. He is trained by expat Kiwi Ross Payne, brother of Greg and Grant.

Dream Team entries rolling in: HRNZ has enjoyed a good early response to the Dream Team competition so far with hundreds of registrations and many teams already submitted. The cut off for entry is 4pm (NZ) next Friday. We encourage all media and racing people to have a go. Hopefully it will be a fun experience and we’ll also welcome feedback for the next time.

Early Fixed Odds set for Auckland features: Early nominations for the Rowe Cup, Northern Trotting Derby and NZ Messenger will see the TAB running futures betting on the three Auckland features. The three big races will be held at Alexandra Park on May 3rd but with nominations taken on Friday April 12 there will be good opportunities for punters to have an early investment on the autumn features.

Barron still one away: Ken Barron is still in search of that elusive win the 1000. Thursday night could be the time. Barron has a solid book of drives there.

Racing this week: Of course its Easter so no Friday or Sunday racing. Our meetings break down like this. Thurs – Cambridge, Forbury Park. Saturday – Hawera, Addington, Monday – Hawera.

Brooke Henderson leaving HRNZ: Next Friday (April 5) will be a sad day for HRNZ as the talented Brooke will leave us for the Canterbury Rugby Union. If any media people have any questions to pose to HRNZ after that date please feel free to contact me. Brooke will leave a big hole to fill here at HRNZ and as you will know she’s been behind many of the positive advances we’ve made in recent seasons. Brooke has been with HRNZ for just under four and a half years.
 
Courtesy of Andrew Morris, Marketing and Communications Manager, Harness Racing New Zealand

Jellignite paces 1:52.4 at Menangle

J Scott Former News, Latest News

 

JELLIGNITE WINS IN 1:52.4

 

(My) Jellignite sprinted sharply fresh to win in career best 1:52.4 mile to take out the C5-7 $A7000 National Trotguide Pace at Menangle, NSW, on Tuesday, February 12.

The 5YO Courage Under Fire gelding was given a good trip, trailing on the outer by Ashlee Siejka, and stormed past leader Angel Gabrielle in the run home to win untested by 7.9 metres.

jellig prelimThe leaders charged over the opening 800m in 55.1s and were running on empty tanks in the straight, the leaders running the last 400m in 28.8s.

Fellow Kiwi Victors Delight settled four back on the markers for trainer Steven Reid and couldn’t close in the run home, finishing fifth, 16.6 metres from the winner.

“We’ll try and win an MO over there with him now. Its a great place for him,” said trainer Mark Jones.

“They (Jellignite and younger brother Badjellys Courage) are just money making machines over there.”

Jellignite had been narrowly beaten when second to fellow Kiwi Miysis in the $A40,000 New Season Final at Menangle in September, won in 1:52.5, before being spelled in October.

The stablemates were sent to Syndey in August in search of more suitable racing opportunites.

Jellignite took his lifetime record to 12 wins and 17 placings from 46 starts for around $A85,000 in stakes.

TELLA – TWO  NSW WINS

Tella, sold out of the Mark Jones stable after only two NZ starts, scored a winning doiuble in NSW, before being narrowly beaten into third on Thursday, February 28.

The 3YO Courage Under Fire-Tellalie filly was untroubled to lead throughout from the ace in the TAB Number One 3YO Pace at Newcastle on February 14 in 2:00.1 (1609m).  She backed up winning again, scoring at Tamworth on February in a 2:00.8 rate (1980m) for trainer Rodney Pike.

She led from the nine gate at Newcastle third-up, getting caught late by swoopers, Black Belt and I’m Cool Harry (trail) in 1:58 (1609m).

Tella, bred and formerly owned by Greg Brodie, impressed on debut with a fast late finish for third at the Oamaru grass meeting last month for her former trainer.

 

JUNEAMY C. GAME FOURTH

 

JuneamyhdJuneamy Castleton continues to shape as a leading contender for the upcoming Storer Motors NZ Trotters Oaks at Addington on March 22. 

She ran a game fourth in the Group Three $25,000 Neumanns Bandag Hambletonian Classic Trot at Ashburton on Saturday, February 9.

The Mark Jones-trained filly was left without cover when Habibti pressed to the front from eventual winner Paramount Queen and fought gallantly in the run home, being racetimed in 2:00.3 for the 1609m.

Paramount Queen, after taking a sprint lane run when Habibti broke with 150m to run, held her stablemate Saratoga (handy outer) by a nose at the end of the mile in 1:59.7.

Sheemon, eased back from a wide front row draw, ran on well late for third, with Juneamy Castleton fourth, just ahead of Astral Traveller, who settled three back on the markers.

Favourite Royal Aspirations was out of play from the outset after galloping when the mobile arm was released.
 

ITZ NOSUPRISESTHERE SOLD

Former Overport Lodge filly Itz Nosurprisesthere was a good first-up third in her Australian debut in the Group Three $A40,000 Harness Breeders NSW Raith Memorial at Menangle on Saturday night after being sold to clients of Dean Braun’s Victoria stable.

The daughter of McArdle and Itz Queen Of New York raced with a flat tyre over the final 800m finishing solidly from the third line for driver Luke McCarthy to finish 2.7m from NZ-bred winner Musical Delight (3f Bettor’s Delight-Top Tempo), who stormed home from back in the running to win in 1:53.1 for the 1609m.

In an all NZ-bred finish, Musical Delight scored from Ohyouluckything (Jereme’s Jet-Cadillac Cully).

Itz Nosurprisesthere was sold by owners Bob and Nola McMeeking out of the Mark Jones stable after being racetimed in 1:55.5 when second to Azarenka in the Blenheim Nevele R Fillies Heat on January 11.

She was earlier a winner in a 1:59.8 rate over 2200m at Gore on December 27, and raced just six times in NZ for two wins and two seconds for $12,172.

New trainer Dean Braun told HRV Communciations Officer Blake Redden she is a really nice filly.

“I haven’t had her that long so we are still trying to work her out,” Braun said.

“We brought her with the New South Wales Oaks as her primary target and then we will work out whether we go to Queensland or Western Australia maybe.”

Braun is having good success with other former Cantab pacers in last season’s NZ Messenger winner Mustang Mach, and Corzin Terror, unbeaten in five starts this term.
 

 

Invercargill January reviews, 2013

J Scott Former News, Latest News

INVERCARGILL REVIEW, JAN. 26, 2013

 

Burnham trainer-driver Mark Jones will give promising 3YO filly squaregaiter Juneamy Castleton her chance against the best 3YO boys in the $25,000 Neumanns Bandag Hambletonian Classic at Ashburton on February 9.

She was one of four driving wins at the Invercargill meeting on Saturday January 26 for Mark _ also scoring easily with unbeaten stablemate Saveapatrol, while he also won a Nevele R Fillies Heat with Flying Anvil, and the 1-2 win trot with Whitney.

“We’ll have a go at the Hambletonian with Juneamy and see where she’s at,” Mark said.

Juneamy Castleton is also growing in momentum for the $25,000 NZ Trotting Oaks at Addington on March 22.

Mark has driven three previous Hambletonian Trot winners _ Tony H (2002), Zuri (2004) and Shezoneoftheboyz (2010) _ while he has reined two NZ Trotting Oaks winners _ Pocaro (2009) and Commander Jewel (2011).

SaveapatJuneamy Castleton, bred and raced by Lex and Heather Williams, stepped well off the 20m mark in the 1w and faster trot at Invercargill over 2700m last Saturday (January 26).

She strode to the front at the 1700m and was never in doubt afterwards, clearing out over her last 800m in 60.2s to win by 5 1/4 lengths.

Juneamy Castleton (Majestic Son-Anna Castleton) trotted the 2700m in 3:32.4 (2:06.5 mile rate) _ 1.9 seconds outside the NZ 3YO fillies mark, held by Lotalov.

She took her record to 12 starts for two wins and five placings for in stakes $12,742.

Saveapatrol couldn’t have been any more impressive notching his third win from as many starts in the $10,000 1-2 wins McKnight & Brown Special Handicap Pace.

The only disappointment was he missed out on a harness plus bonus.

“It was a bit annoying when the harness plus 3YO race didn’t go ahead and they didn’t carry the harness plus into the race they put him in,” Mark said.Despite missing a Harness plus opportunity, Saveapatrol will have several opportunities to win good money over the next few months.

His immediate target is the $25,000 Caduceus Club Of Southland Autumn Futurity at Invercargill on March 23.

Saveapatrol again showed he’s headed for the top, making the front and destroying his rivals.

The Christian Cullen-Rondel Franco gelding left his rivals gasping over his final 800m in 56.3s, dashing away to win untested by 7 1/4 lengths.

Saveapatrol paced the 2700m in 3:25.4 (a strong 2:02.4 mile rate). The former Neil Brady-trained pacer Seafield Raider holds the long-standing NZ 3YO stand start record for the distance at 3:23.6.

Mark was happy with his other Invercargill starters _ Ohoka Texas, who fought well for fourth after being left parked outside River Black in Franco Ledger’s $38,500 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup (won in a track record 3:58.7, 3200m) and Alex, who was unlucky finishing fifth in the 2-3 wins pace.

Ohoka Texas, race-timed in 4:00.9 for the 3200m, will now be freshened.

“He’ll have a break before the owners decide what to do with him,” Mark said.

 

MARK WINS SPONSORED RACE, JAN 17

 

Safely through the Southland Autumn Futuirty at Invercargill on March 23, trainer Mark Jones will look at both the $150,000 Ricoh New Zealand Derby on April 5, and the Southern Supremacy Stakes on April 21 with promising 3YO Saveapatrol. 

SaveapatrlSaveapatrol showed a good sense of occasion, being untroubled to win the Mark Jones-sponsored pace at the Northern Southland Trotting Club’s meeting at Invercargill on Thursday, January 17.

 The Christian Cullen gelding will attempt to complete a hat-trick of south wins for owner Grant Hatton in another $10,000 3YO race on Invercargill Cup day next Saturday, January 26.

Mark didn’t hurry him out on Thursday, letting Brindy take up the running before moving him to the top with 1600m to run.

 Saveapatrol had no concerns from that point, Mark just keeping his mind on the job over the final 100m to hold Brindy by a length in a comfortable 2:02 mile rate for the 2200m in conditions, not conducive to fast times.

 He quickened over his last 800m in 57.9s and his closing 400m in 28.1s

 Mark also has other south features _ the $25,0000 Caduceus Club of Southland Autumn Futurity on March 23, and the Group Two Southern Supremacy Stakes on April 21 _ on the radar for Saveapatrol.

More head to Aussie

J Scott Former News, Latest News

MORE HEAD FOR AUSSIE

Former New Zealand Trotting Oaks winner Commander Jewel is to return for a second crack at the Australian scene, this time in New South Wales.

Canterbury owner “Jim” McDonald has struck up a 50-50 deal with New South Wales horseman Leon Jurd, which will see the big CR Commando-In De Fence mare joining the trot ranks at Menangle.

Commander Jewel was tried in Victoria by Mr McDonald at the end of her NZ 3YO racing. She returned to Canterbury after winning once from six starts in Australia.

Now five, Commander Jewel has picked up a further win and two placings from the Mark Jones stable.

Her career record now stands at 33 starts for seven wins and six placings, for $48,350 in stakes.

Meanwhile, two-win pacer, Suerte, also left the stable last week to do his future racing in Australia.

Suerte premier day

Suerte, to do his future racing in Australia.

Suerte (5g Falcon Seelster-Atomist), owned in Australia by Merv and Meg Butterworth, had been unplaced in two starts since resuming following a solid run of former in December-January.

Consistent 4YO Alex, the winner of four and 10 times placed from 30 NZ starts, is also earmarked to leave for Australia.

“He’ll go in another couple of weeks for better opportunity in handicapping there,” Mark said.

Alex, a younger brother to good winning mare Glenferrie Alexis, bred and owned by Gold Coast owner Greg Brodie, ran on late for fourth from the back row behind upset winner Hairy Maclary at the Cheviot meeting at Addington on Sunday, the winner rating a strong 1:59.2 for the 2600m.

Itz Nosurprises wins NSW & QLD Oaks

J Scott Former News, Latest News

 

ITZ NOSURPRISES IN NSW OAKS

Itz Nosurprisesthere has proven a terrific buy out of the Mark Jones stable after taking out the $A200,000 Form 700m New South Wales Oaks at Tabcorp Park, Menangle, on Super Sunday, March 3, 2013.

Given every chance handy outer by driver Luke McCarthy, the daughter of McArdle and Itz Queen Of Newyork sprinted brilliiantly in the run home to win going away from Frith and Im Smouldering.

She rated 1:59.5 rate for the mobile 2400m, the leaders running their last 40m in 26.9s.

Itz Nosurprisesthere was was sold by owners Bob and Nola McMeeking to clients of Dean Braun’s Victorian team after running second to Azarenka in the Blenheim Nevele R Fillies Heat on January 11.

Racetimed in 1:55.5 on that occasion, she raced just six times in NZ for two wins and two seconds for $12,172.

She was a first-up third for Braun in the $A40,000 G3 Raith Memorial at Menangle on Feb 9 behind Musicial Delight, the winner clocking 1:53.1.

Itz Nosurprisesthere then showed sufficient improvement, beating Musicial Delight and fellow ex-Canterbury filly My Sunday Girl in her $A25,000 NSW Oaks Heat in a 2:01 rate (2400m) at Menangle on February 23.

 

NOSURPRISES AGAIN IN QLD OAKS

Former Overport Lodge filly Itz Nosurprisesthere notched her third individual state Aussie Oaks victory when successful in the $A75,000 Queensland Oaks at Albion Park, Brisbane, on Saturday, June 29.

The daughter of McArdle and Itz Queen Of New York sprinted best from the trail to beat Pukekohe filly (Our) Splendour by half a head in a 1:58 rate for the mobile 2138m. The leaders had the speed on over their last 400m in 27.2s.

Itz Nosurprisesthere, initially raced by breeders Bob and Nola McMeeking, was sold out of the Mark Jones stable to clients of the Victorian stable of Dean Braun in late January.

She has also taken out the New South Wales and Tasmanian Oaks for Australian owners, Tony and Pam Coniglio.

Itznosurprisesthere has now won four of seven starts since crossing the Tasman, while her career record now stands at 13 starts for six wins and three placings, for just over $200,000.

Superstars race still only for 4YOs

J Scott Latest News

SUPERSTARS CHAMPIONSHIP REMAINS 4YO EVENT

The Group 2 $40,000 Resource Recycling Technologies NZ Ltd 4YO Superstars Championship to be run at Addington Raceway on Friday 5th April will remain a contest for 4yo pacers only, as has been the case since its inception in 1982.

Addington’s Racing Manager Brian Rabbitt said that some races for 4yo’s had undergone changes that allowed 5yo’s to compete along with their year younger counterparts but the Superstar’s Championship would continue as a race for 4yo’s only in the immediate future.

“As was last year this race will be staged over the 2600 metres from a mobile start on the last night of our Easter Autumn Carnival.”

“The race will be held on the same night that includes elite races such as the Group 1 Muscara Standardbreds New Zealand Derby, the Group 1 Seelite Windows and Doors New Zealand Trotting Derby and the Group 2 Avon City Ford Welcome Stakes for 2yo pacers.”

The Superstars Championship provides 4yo pacers with a great opportunity to earn stake money for their age group race at the upcoming Harness Jewels meeting in June over Queen’s Birthday weekend at Ashburton.

This race has proven to be a great event over the years with high quality pacers such as Roydon Glen, Christopher Vance, Giovanetto, Christian Cullen, Just An Excuse, Mainland Banner, Changeover and Gold Ace taking it out.

This Friday at Addington sees the first night of premier racing action of the Easter Autumn Carnival.

Highlights on the card include the Group 2 Vero Flying Stakes for 3yo’s featuring Woodlands Northern Derby victor Ohoka Punter clashing with Franco Nelson and Border Control. A full field lines up in the Group 3 Storer Motors / New Zealand Trotters Trust New Zealand Trotting Oaks with Habibti looking to carry on her fine form.

Brilliant 4yo Christen Me takes his place in the Group 3 Gotta Go Cullen Free-For-All competing in a field that includes talented pacers Jason Rulz, Fly Like An Eagle and Franco Ledger. The Group 3 Glenferrie Farm Trotters Championship features high class performers such as Stent, Cyclone U Bolt, Springback Sam and Phil’s Gift.

Easter Saturday night sees the continuation of harness racing at its best with the Breckon Farms / All Stars Racing Easter Cup and the Garry Thompson / Fred Shaw New Zealand Trotters Championship, both at Group 1 status, the features.

The carnival concludes on the 5th April with the New Zealand Derbies for both pacers and trotters, the Welcome Stakes and the 4yo Superstars Pacing Championship the draw cards.

Courtesy of Ged Mooar, Marketing & Commercial Manager, Addington, March 20, 2013.

HRNZ Media Bites, March 20

J Scott Latest News

HRNZ MEDIA BITES, MARCH 20, 2012

  • Great Southern Star this Saturday: The Great Southern Star, to be held at Melton on Saturday night for the trotters has to be one of the most exciting harness racing events for some time. As fate would have it with I Can Doosit missing and Stig being out of sorts too the heats and final scenario is an exciting one littered with possibilities. The Great Southern Star is the Australasian version of Sweden’s Elitlopp. Heats will be run at Melton at 9.00pm and 9.33 NZ time on Saturday night with the final run around midnight our time.

    The first three trotters in each elimination heat make the final automatically. The final four spots in the final will be made up of the four fastest unplaced runners. All races of the Great Southern Star will be run over the sprint trip of 1720 metres. One of the interesting aspects of the Great Southern Star is that the better you are in the heats the better barrier draw you can get yourself in the $250,000 Final. Winners get to choose their barrier first, then the seconds and so on.

    From a completely unashamedly Kiwi perspective it would be great for one of our trotters to win. We are represented by four top-liners: Stig, Sovereignty, Vulcan and The Fiery Ginga. If you were thinking of a race/series that was designed for a horse you might think Stig is that horse but there still remain questions over his ability to trot around those bends in Australia. His run last week behind Vulcan a case in point. Driven by Gavin Lang his was shaky around the bends but he still managed to run a much improved second. The way he picked himself up after losing ground around that last bend showed the champion qualities the horse possesses. The term ‘heart of a lion’ is bandied around a bit but that does Stig a disservice. In my 27 years I have not seen horse with a greater will to win or bigger heart – whatever you call it. And this will to win still prevails despite all the adversity he’s been through in his career.

  • Premier Racing returns to Addington: Four Group races this Friday night at Addington will act as key lead-ups to some big races in coming weeks. Those races being the respective Derbies for pacers and trotters, the Easter Cup, Welcome Stakes and NZ Trotting Championship. Northern Derby star Ohoka Punter renews acquaintances with Franco Nelson and Border Control in the Vero Flying Stakes. Sensational Chariots Of Fire winner Christen Me returns to his home track in the Gotta Go Cullen FFA. Many exciting four and five-year-old trotters (Stent, Springbank Sam, Cyclone U Bolt, Phil’s Gift) clash in the Glenferrie Farm Trotters Championship and Habibti will be looking to carry on her winning way in the Storer Motors NZ Trotting Oaks.
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  • Passing of harness racing identity: Well known, successful and respected racing owner Graeme Blackburn passed away suddenly on Monday. Blackburn, half of the prodigious Blackburn/Street (harness and thoroughbred) racing partnership, Blackburn enjoyed phenomenal success in both racing codes. The “Lincoln” brand is just about to head into a new era too with their stallion Sir Lincoln standing at stud next season.

    Horse numbers holding up: Despite the continued talk of waning horse numbers in New Zealand and exports bleeding the horse population, Handicapper and National Programme Co-ordinator, Darrin Williams, was able to report to us earlier this week that as of the end of this week harness racing will be down just 20 horses to the same point last year. With that it should be noted that the gap is actually closing on last season, rather than widening. Williams is hoping to be close to par with 2011/12 by the end of March, which could, in the best case lead to slight growth by season’s end.

  • Breeding numbers: latest estimates of breeding numbers for the season forecasts a 5% drop, which is much better then some pictures painted earlier in the season. The latest numbers received by HRNZ saw Christian Cullen register a healthy 118, while third season trotting stallion The Pres has topped out at 79, which puts him second on the trotters list just behind Monarchy. Christian Cullen has now sired the winners of more than $27 million in NZ.

  • Ken Barron one win away: Ken Barron is now just one win away from the magical milestone of 1000 wins in NZ. Interestingly last Sunday at the Akaroa meeting Barron won the race he sponsored to get to 999. He won with Hot Toddy. Barron has several chances the two Canterbury meetings to reach the milestone with weekend.
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  • Harness Racing Dream Team competition to launch soon: HRNZ is putting the final touches on a new online competition that will link closely to the Harness Jewels. Full details of the competition will be released with the launch of the competition, which is due to commence on Derby night at Addington on Friday 5 April.
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  • Quick Bits: last week Habibti broke a NZ Record for a 3YO trotting filly over 1950 metres (1:57.4 mile rate). Northern Southland host a rich $25k Futurity Final on Saturday at their meeting. Canterbury visitor Saveapatrol will be a ruling favourite. Tony Herlihy drives at Methven this Sunday. Star Of Isis continued a great run of form at Palmerston North on Sunday. She won the Manawatu Cup, following on from the Palmerstonian on Thursday night. The daughter of American Ideal has won seven of her last nine starts and is now being put aside for a tilt at the Harness Jewels.

Courtesy of Andrew Morris, Marketing & Communciations officer, Harness Racing New Zealand.

HRNZ Media Bites, March 5

J Scott Latest News

 

HRNZ MEDIA BITES, MARCH 5, 2012

 

Huge clashes loom on Auckland Cup night: A Group racing bonanza awaits on Friday night at Alexandra Park. The Trillian Trust Auckland Cup will be the highlight of the night with so many stars involved but of course the Woodlands Northern Derby will be riding side-saddle and offers up a mouth-watering clash, as Adore Me takes on the best colts and geldings in the land. Aside from the Cup and Derby the 2YOs aim up at their first major targets for the year. The Group 1 Breckon Bloodstock Young Gun Cardigan Bay Stakes Young Guns Final has attracted a smallish but quality field and the Gotta Go Cullen Young Gun Delightful Lady Classic is chocker-block with smart juvenile fillies. They, along with several other quality races make up Trillian Trust Auckland Cup night, a 10-race card that kicks off at 6.15pm.

Can Adore me fly in the face of history?: A filly has not won the Northern Derby since 1971(Roydon Roux). That’s a damning stat but if there’s a filly credentialled to rewrite the history books it must be her. Unbeaten in seven starts and she obliterated her rivals in the Oaks last week after having the toughest run. And now she has to deal with starting from the outside of the second row. The odds: Adore Me $2.80, Ohoka Punter $3.20, Franco Nelson $4.50.

Who saw I’m Victorious in the Chariots?: He may be only a four-year-old but he was very unlucky in the Chariots Of Fire last Sunday. He was charging late when Christen Me was winning in 1.50.5. Could Victorious be the blowout in the Auckland Cup? How will those backing up from the Inter Dominion handle the relatively short back-up and the travel after a gruelling 3000m mobile race? Victorious is currently a $16 chance to win the Cup on Friday night. Themightyquinn $2.40 on the Fixed odds, Terror To Love $3.

With breeding numbers mostly collated by HRNZ it appears that the top dog in the light harness sport remains to be Bettor’s Delight. He served a staggering 329 mares in the current breeding season, which is his second-equal best haul. He served a remarkable 345 in 2006/07 and has now served 300 or more mares in five separate seasons. With those sorts of numbers his domination looks set to continue for years to come. Without the confirmed numbers for Christian Cullen yet received it appears that another Woodlands Stud stallion, American Ideal, will finish second on mare services. He had 187 covers. Mach Three is next on 147. The top trotter was Monarchy with 80. Former champ Sundon had 39 services. Understandable, considering it was his 21st season at stud. At his peak he served 230 mares back in 1996/97 – 32% of the trotting mares served that year.

Without numbers being completed it appears as though breeding numbers could be down around 5% to 7% for this past breeding season. Not as dire as some may have thought leading into the breeding season.

Keystone Del – has there ever been a more meteoric rise in harness racing?: Back in October Keystone Del was the rank outsider for a non-win trot at Manawatu. He won that race that though, recording a 2.13.7 mile rate and running a last 800m in 65.0. Fast forward four months or so and Keystone Del has lowered the colours of some of Australasia’s most vaunted trotters and taken home the lion’s share of a $200,000 stake for his win in the Glenferrie Farms Challenge. It’s a truly wonderful and unique story. Added to that the horse was sent west by his Kiwi connections on a deal to be trained by a Kiwi lass Nicole Molander who made a big move to Australia two years ago, after a stint with Mark Purdon.

Since leaving NZ Keystone Del had run just seven times in Australia for a handful of wins. Had it not been for his first Metro win the start prior in a slick 1.54.9 at Menangle he would not have been in the Aussie quintet that took on the Kiwis. His selection wasn’t without controversy either. How could a trotter with one win of any real substance be thrown into a battle like the Group 1 Glenferrie race? As they say: the proof of the pudding.

Kiwis punt up on Super Sunday: The betting through the NZ TAB on Menangle Harness Racing’s Super Sunday saw a record $993k put through the chaff cutter and Fixed Odds in New Zealand, which bodes well for the future interest of Australian harness in New Zealand. No doubt the improved tracks, huge numbers of ex-pats (horses and horse people) is piquing the interest of our punters.

Quicks: Ken Barron still sits on 997 NZ driving wins. Josh Dickie was the best placed NZer in the Australasian Young Drivers Champs – he finished second just three points off his second AYD title. As we in NZ convert stake monies won overseas, Themightyquinn has now banked more than NZ$5.1 million. Sir Lincoln hurt himself in his final workout before the Inter Dominion last week. The full extent of the injury is yet to be determined. Final Field Fixed Odds out for the Auckland Cup & Northern Derby.

Courtesy of Andrew Morris, Marketing and Communications Manager | Harness Racing New Zealand