POSTHUMOUS AWARD FOR KAHDON
Ill-fated filly Kahdon joined an elite list of 3YO trotters to be voted NZ Trotter of the Year in Christchurch on Saturday, July 31.
Kahdon, who lost her life to a bacterial infection in Australia on July 19, joins One Over Kenny (2005) and Sovereignty (2008) as previous age group champions to take out the coveted title.
Voters gave Kahdon a three vote advantage over Dominion Handicap winner Springbank Richard for the top of the division, polling 11 votes to eight.
Rowe Cup champ Sundons Gift gained 7 votes for Trotter of the Year, while top 4YO I Can Doosit (5), Stylish Monarch (4) and top aged mare Speculate (1) were other nominees.
Kahdon raced only 14 times for 6 wins and 5 seconds and $177,234 in stakes.
She beat the boys in the G1 Northern Trotting Derby on May 7, and the G2 Hutton Racing Stables Sires’ Stakes Trotters Championship at Auckland On May 30.
Kahdon was second in the G1 NZ Trotting Derby at Addington on March 26 behind Shezoneoftheboyz, and also second in the G3 NZ Trotting Oaks on April 9 behind Emma Hamilton.
She raced for the breeders, Ben and Lois Smith, and Leeston trainer Paul Nairn, until a few days before the Harness Jewels 3YO Ruby at Cambridge on June 5, when she was purchased for the Mark Jones stable by Jakarta-based owner Peter Chambers.
Kahdon finished a gallant second behind front-running Vulcan in the Jewels, won in 1:58 for the mile, then easily won the $A50,000 Victoria Trotters Oaks at Melton on June 11.
Mark felt something wasn’t quite right with her after being outfinished late by Rostevarren in a Victoria Trotters Derby on July 3. She became very ill a week later and despite every attempt to save her, she succumbed to a severe bowel infection at the Werribee clinic.
Although irreplaceable, Mr Chambers and Mark are searching for another close relative in order to continue to share in the family legacy.
Awards winners were:
TROTTERS
2YO Colt/Gelding of the Year: PARAMOUNT GEEGEE (2g Pegasus Spur-Paramount Star), owners Jocelyn and John Davies, Charles Blackwell, Jonathon Hope, Jennifer Sutherland (trainer: John Dickie) 37 votes.
2YO Filly of the Year: KYLIE REE (2f Monarchy-Nerokilo), owner, Brian McCully (trainers: Mark Purdon/Grant Payne) 35 votes. Other nominee: Sapphire Castleton 2.
3YO Colt/Gelding of the Year: VULCAN (3g Earl-Epona), owners: Jenny Butt, Donald McKenzie (trainer: Tim Butt) 27 votes. Other nominees: Miami H 6, The Fiery Ginga 4.
3YO Filly of the Year: KAHDON (3f Sundon-Kahola), owner, Peter Chambers (trainer Mark Jones) 36 votes. Other nominee: Shezoneoftheboyz 1.
4YO Entire/Gelding of the Year: I CAN DOOSIT (4g Muscles Yankee-Sheezadoosie), owners, Breckon Racing Syndicate (trainers: Mark Purdon/Grant Payne) 37 votes.
4YO Mare of the Year: POCARO (4m Sundon-Niamey), owners, Trevor Casey, Tim Whelan, Stephen Ward, James Whelan, Shane Hausler) 36 votes. Other nominee: Great Getaway 1.
5YO or older Entire/Gelding of the Year: SPRINGBANK RICHARD (6g Sundon-It’s A Whiz), owners, Alistair and Denise Smith, 16 votes. Other nominees: Stylish Monarch 14, Sundons Gift 7.
5YO or older Mare of the Year: SPECULATE (8m Sundon-Look), owners, Lynn and Gerry Smith, Justin Smith (trainer: Justin Smith) 37 votes.
TROTTER OF THE YEAR: KAHDON 11. Other nominees: Springbank Richard 8,
Sundons Gift 7, I Can Doosit 5, Stylish Monarch 4, Speculate 1, no vote 1.
PACING
2YO Colt/Gelding of the Year: MAJOR MARK (2c Art Major-Gucci Franco), owners Glenys and Phil Kennard, Neil Pilcher, Gavin Douglas, Philip Creighton (trainers: Mark Purdon/Grant Payne) 37 votes.
2YO Filly of the Year: BETTOR COVER LOVER (2f Bettor’s Delight-Front Cover Lover), owners: Karnup Racing Pty Ltd (trainer: Brent Mangos) 37 votes.
3YO Colt/Gelding of the Year: SIR LINCOLN (3c Mach Three-Clare De Lune), owners, Lincoln Farms Ltd (trainer: Ray Green) 23 votes. Other nominee, Russley Rascal 14 votes.
3YO Filly of the Year: DE LOVELY (3f Falcon Seelster-Copper Beach), owners, Les Girls No. 2 Syndicate (trainer: Geoff Small) 37 votes.
4YO Entire/Gelding of the Year: TINTIN IN AMERICA (4h McArdle-Zenterfold), owners, ATC Trot 2008 Syndicate (trainer: Geoff Small) 37 votes.
4YO Mare of the Year: BEAUDIENE BAD BABE (4m Badlands Hanover-Beaudiene Babe), owners, Estate of Peter Ryan (trainer: Murray Brown) 37 votes.
5YO or older Entire/Gelding of the Year: MONKEY KING (7g Sands A Flyin-Tuapeka Vale), owners, Cavalla Bloodstock Ltd (trainer: Benny Hill) 37
votes.
5YO or older Mare of the Year: KIWI INGENUITY (5m Christian Cullen-Kiwi Express), owners, Hamish Scott, Dr Kim Lawson, Equine Investments Ltd, Abbey
Smith (trainer: Robbie Holmes) 28 votes. Other nominees: Nearea Franco 7, Tact Lizzie 1, no vote 1.
PACER OF THE YEAR: MONKEY KING.
HARNESS HORSE OF THE YEAR: MONKEY KING.
OTHER AWARDS
Owner of the Year: Cavalla Bloodstock Ltd (Robert Famularo).
Breeder(s) of the Year: Tony and Anne Parker.
Unsung Hero Award: Allan Maslin.
Broodmare of the Year: Sheezadoosie (Breckon Bloodstock Ltd, Ken and Karen Breckon).
Stallion of the Year: Sundon _ Roydon Lodge Stud (Keith and Robyn Gibson).
Leading trainer(s): Mark Purdon/Grant Payne.
Leading Driver/Cruickshank Leading Junior Driver: Dexter Dunn.
Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing: Pat O’Brien.