HIS ROYAL HARNESS SCORES PENALTY-FREE ADDINGTON WIN
Friday the 13th may have been unlucky for some but not for the new ownership group of Addington winner, His Royal Harness, consisting of Mitchell Robertson, Steve Hill, Alastair McLay, Mike Moore and the Fomo (fear of missing out) Syndicate.
Tony Cameron
The former Chris McDowell-trained pacer arrived at the Overport Lodge stables of Mark Jones in fit condition less than a week before delivering first-up in style.
Visiting Ardmore horseman Tony Cameron picked up the drive as part of the McMillan Equine Feeds NZ Junior Drivers Champs series and delivered a timely penalty-free win for connections.
Tony, who works for Ardmore trainer Tony Herlihy, finished seventh-equal overall in the Junior Series as fellow northerner, Morrinsville-based Alicia Harrison, took out the series with 49 points, three wins clear of Hamilton’s Ben Butcher.
This was Tony Cameron’s 24th win for the season. He trails Matt Anderson (42), Ben Butcher (36) and Sheree Tomlinson (30) on this season’s junior drivers premiership.
He saved the Tintin In America gelding for one knock-out blow from the outside second row draw.
With only three or four behind him beginning the final quarter, His Royal Harness joined in six wide in the straight and ripped into his work, coming clear by 1 and 3/4 lengths from Mordecai.
His Royal Harness, who rated 1:59.7 for the 1980m, was recording his third career win from 24 starts, having previously won twice on grass tracks for the McDowell stable.
He’s from a Mach Three half-sister to Flashbang (1:55, four wins) and Famous Lover (TT, 1:56.1, four wins).
His Royal Harness, bred by Studholme Park’s Brian West, descends from the same family as former top Southland-bred 1970s and 80s pacers, Sassenach (12 wins), Ryal (nine wins), Shavande (five wins), Profiteer (six wins), Zabadak (11 wins) and Stampede (11 wins).