The 2016/7 season annual awards ceremony dinner was held on Thursday 3 August 2017 at the Wigram Air Force Museum. The awards evening recognised the outstanding performances and performers of the 2016/7 season.
The evening consisted of pre-dinner drinks followed by a three course meal with the award ceremonies MC’s being Cassie Fahey and Michael Guerin. An audience of approximately 300 were in attendance.
The proceedings were again dominated this year by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen trained horses, notably Spankem, Elle Mac, Spanish Armada, Ultimate Machete, Lazarus, Dream About Me, Smolda together with Greg and Nina Hope’s trotters Aoraki, Monbet and Enghien. Lazarus was a well merited Pacer and Harness Horse of the Year.
Season highlights were the Grand Circuit performances of pacers Lazarus and Smolda together with Enghien and Monbet’s Group One trotting victories. The season ending Group One Harness Jewels day at Ashburton in 2017 continued to be a fine advertisement for harness racing.
Congratulations to all the award winners on the night. A listing follows with applicable seasonal details (NZ and Australian stats to 31 July 2017). Total votes cast were 27 per category :
Trackside 2YO Pacing Filly : ELLE MAC (Bettors Delight/Goodlooking Girl) [17]; owner Jean Feiss; trainers : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : six starts, four wins, one placing $181,340, 1:54.8 (1700m), Caduceus Club Fillies Classic, NZSS 2yo Fillies Final, NZR’s 1700mM (2yo fillies) 2:01.3, 1950mM (2yo fillies) 2:21.6
Other contenders : Bettor Joy, Dizzy Miss Lizzy, Lady Chatto
PGG Wrightson 2YO Pacing Colt or Gelding : SPANKEM (Bettors Delight/Crushem); owners : Glenys Kennard, Phil Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, Jim Gibbs MNZM, Anne Gibbs, Gary Woodham, Keryn Woodham ; trainers : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : ten starts, four wins, six placings $185,925, 1:54.0 (1950m), NZSS 2yo Final, Welcome Stakes
Other contenders : Ashley Locaz, Mach Shard, The Devils Own
Garrards Horse & hound 2YO Trotting Filly : AORAKI (Lucky Chucky/Iditarod) [17]; owners : Ross Paynter, Howard Paynter, Bryan Paynter; trainer : Ross Paytner (trained by Greg and Nina Hope as 2yo); seasonal record : three starts, one win, one placing, $12,288, T2:06.3, 2nd NZ Trotting 2yo Stakes
Other contenders : Renezmae, Star Of Olesya
Race Images 2YO Trotting Colt or Gelding : PARAMOUNT KING (Love You/Paramount Star); owners : Ben and Karen Calder, Loyal Owners Syndicate, Graham Neems, Philip Kelly, David Turner, Mrs Jenny Sutherland and Jonathan Hope; trainers : John Dickie & Josh Dickie; seasonal record : eight starts, four wins, one placing, $64,982, T1:58.0 , Harness Jewels 2yo Ruby
Other contenders : Majestic Man, One Muscle Hill, Springbank Lachie
NRM 3YO Pacing Filly : SPANISH ARMADA (Bettors Delight/Galleons Supreme) [26]; owner/lessee : Jean Feiss; trainers : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : eleven starts, eight wins, two placings, $481,055, 1:52.1, NZSS 3yo Fillies, Nevele R Fillies, Harness Jewels 3yo Diamond, NZ Oaks, NZR 2600mM (3yo fillies) 3:09.1
Other contenders : Bonnie Joan, Delightful Memphis, Partyon
Woodlands Stud 3YO Pacing Colt or Gelding : ULTIMATE MACHETE (Bettors Delight/Reality Check) [14]; owners : Glenys Kennard, Phil Kennard, Gavin Douglas, Kevin Riseley, Phil Creighton, Margaret Creighton; trainers : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : ten NZ starts, six NZ wins, four placings, $337,565, 1:52.6 (1950m); two Aus starts, two placings, $32,000, non-winner, NZSS 3yo open, NZR’s 1950mM (3yo) 2:16.5, 2200mM (overall) 2: 36.1
Other contenders : Jacks Legend, Raukapuka Ruler, Vincent
The Informant 3YO Trotting Filly : CHEVRON EXPRESS (Muscle Mass/Kathy Galleon) [27]; owner : Small Car World Ltd; trainer : Cran Dalgety; seasonal record : seventeen starts, six wins, five placings, $71,112; T1:57.0 (1950m), NZ Trotting Oaks, NZR 1950mM (overall trotting females) T2:21.9
Other contenders : Needle, Regal Love, Ruthless Kayla
Commodore Airport Hotel 3YO Trotting Colt or Gelding : ENGHIEN (Love You/Another Starlet) [unanimous]; owners : Richard Dellaca, Greg Hope; trainers : Greg and Nina Hope; seasonal record : ten NZ starts, nine wins, $234,041, T1:57.3 (1950m), NZ/GN Trotters Derbies, Harness Jewels 3yo Ruby, NZR 1950mM (3yo males) T2:22.2
Other contenders : BD Khaosan, CK Spur, Heavyweight Hero, President Roydon
Garrands Horse & Hound 4YO Pacing Mare : DREAM ABOUT ME (Bettors Delight/Splendid Dreams; owners/lessees : Charlie Roberts, Estate June Roberts, Paul Kenny, Mary Kenny; trainer : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : six starts, five wins, $231,050, 1:57.2 (2200m), Auckland Cup, Queen of Hearts
Other contenders : Ardens Choice, Piccadilly Princess
Woodlands Stud 4YO Pacing Entire or Gelding : LAZARUS (Bettors Delight/Bethany) [unanimous]; owners : Glenys Kennard, Phil Kennard, Trevor Casey, Kevin Riseley ; trainers : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : ten NZ starts, nine wins, one placing, $762,700, 1:52.4 (1950m), Aust five starts, three wins, two placings, A$519,098, 1:49.0 , NZ Cup/FFA, Taylor Mile, Messenger, Bonzana, Chariots of Fire, Victoria Cup, NZR’s 1950mM (overall) 2:16.3, 3200m stand (overall) 3:53.1
Other contenders : Chase The Dream, Classie Brigade, Heaven Rocks
Woodlands Stud 4YO Trotting Mare : WILMAS MATE (Pegasus Spur/Mybrotherwasastar) [25]; owner : Rob Cornelius; trainer : Paul Nairn; seasonal record : eight NZ starts, one win, two placings, $75,335, T1:55.5, Aust three starts, three wins, $95,661, T1:57.3, Harness jewels 4yo Ruby, VIC Trotters Derby, Breeders Crown 3yo Final, NZR 1 mileM (4yo Trotting mares) T1:55.5
Other contenders : Dark Horse, Missandei, Sundons Flyer
Hanley Formula Bloodstock 4YO Trotting Entire or Gelding : TEMPORALE (Monarchy/Whosinthenest); owners : Dene Biddlecombe, Doug Donaldson, Suzanne Herlihy, Kevin Riseley; trainer : Tony Herlihy; seasonal record : seven NZ starts, two wins, two placings, $107,175, T2:04.6 (3200 std), three Aust starts, three placings, A$15,838, Rowe Cup
Other contenders : Gentleman Sir, Lemond, Marcoola
Garrands Horse & Hound 5YO and older Pacing Mare : THE ORANGE AGENT (American Ideal/Lady Fingers); owners : Mrs P C Green, J P Green, Mrs M E Green, P C Bult; trainer : Brian Hughes; seasonal record : four NZ starts, two wins, two placings, $85,150, 1:55.9 (2600m), three Aust starts, three wins, A$99,098, 1:53.7, NZ Standardbred Breeders Stakes, Queen of Pacific, NZR 260mM (overall mares) 3:07.4
Other contenders : Better B Amazed, Lusty Mac, Rocker Band
Alabar 5YO and older Pacing Entire or Gelding : SMOLDA (Courage Under Fire/Under The Mattress)[unanimous]; owners : Glenys Kennard, Phil Kennard, Neil Pilcher, Marcus Kirkwood; trainers : Mark Purdon & Nata[lie Rasmussen; seasonal record : six NZ starts, one win, three placings, $71,295 2:04.8 (3000m std), nine Aus starts, four wins, four placings, A$968,425, 1:54.8, ID Pacers Grand Final, SA/Ballarat Cups
Other contenders : Captain Dolmio, Franco Nelson, Titan Banner
Virkon 5YO and older Trotting Mare : SUNNY RUBY (Sundon/Bright Diedre) [15]; owners : Fred Fletcher, Sam Smolenski; trainer : Sonya Smith (Victoria)/ Sam Smolenski; seasonal record : fourteen starts, three wins, one placing, $62,890, T1:59.1 (2200m); AUS eight starts, four wins, two placings, $132,400, T1:56.1AUS, Dullard Cup, Knight Pistol, Maori Mile
Other contenders : Habibti Ivy, Princess Mackendon, Quite A Moment
Garrards Horse & Hound 5YO and older Trotting Entire or Gelding : MONBET (Love You/Diedre Darling) [unanimous]; owners : Greg Hope, Nina Hope, Morrie Molloy; trainers : Greg and Nina Hope; seasonal record : three starts, three wins, $197,870, T1:55.2, Dominion Hcp, NZ Trotting FFA, NZR’s 1950mM (overall) T2:21.7, 3200m stand T4:00.7
Other contenders : Bordeaux, Daryl Boko, Eyre I Come
People’s Choice Best Drive of Year : ZAC BUTCHER, Jacks Legend, 3yo Jewels Emerald, Ashburton
The Breeders Pacing Broodmare of Year : BETHANY (family of Mona R, U307; dam of Lazarus), bred by Gavin Chin and Studholme Bloodstock Ltd (Brian West)
The Breeders Trotting Broodmare of Year : ANOTHER STARLET (family of Nell by Hiatoga, U23; dam of Enghien, Millburn Michael, Gammel Dansk, Pink Diamond, Another Love), bred by Millburn Farm Ltd (Carl and Heather Middleton)
The Breeders Breeder of Year : BRIAN WEST, STUDHOLME BLOODSTOCK LTD (Lazarus, Paramount King. Wilmas Mate)
Auckland Trotting Club Pacing Stallion of Year: BETTORS DELIGHT (193 winners, 377 wins, $6,846,952)
Fasttrack Trotting Stallion of Year : LOVE YOU (34 winners, 74 wins, $1,284,766)
Addington’s Stridemaster Owner of Year : Philip and Glenys Kennard (Lazarus, Spankem, Ultimate Machete, Smolda, Heaven Rocks etc)
Commodore Airport Hotel Leading Driver of Year : DEXTER DUNN (228 wins)
Southland Harness Cruickshank Leading Junior Driver of Year : RORY MCILLWRICK (39 wins)
Primary ITO Cadet of Year : KIERAN MCNAUGHT (Southern Region)
Other finalists: Ben Hope (Canterbury third runner up), John Morrison (Canterbury second runner up), Mark Johnson (Northern Region, runner up)
McMillan Equine Feeds Leading Trainer of Year : MARK PURDON & NATALIE RASMUSSEN (110 wins)
Alabar Pacer of Year : LAZARUS (unanimous)
Breckon Farms Trotter of Year : MONBET (16 votes, Enghien 11 votes)
NZ Racing Board Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing : PHIL & BEV WILLIAMSON : lifetime achievement award to licence holders, administrator’s, owners, breeders, employers and parents of three of our top twelve drivers in 2016/7 season – Nathan (44, 21 as trainer), Matthew (71) and Brad (45) and father Phil with 46 training successes meaning family totalled 227 victories between them in 2016/7. Starting out working as a junior driver for Dick Prendergast, Phil Williamson brought up 500 NZ training wins at the commencement of 2016/7 season (career total of 545, 525 of them trotters). Trainer of numerous Group One trotting winners including Allegro Agitato, Jasmyns Gift, One Over Kenny, Leighton Hest and Springbank Richard both in New Zealand and Australia. A widely admired and respected couple throughout harness racing in New Zealand.
Harness Racing New Zealand Horse of Year : LAZARUS (unanimous)
Peter Craig
4 August 2017
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
