2015 NZ HARNESS RACING AWARDS

The 2014/15 season annual awards ceremony dinner was held on Saturday 8 August 2015 at the Wigram Air Force Museum in Sockburn, Christchurch.

slika za treto Example of events centre layout

It is interesting to note that where the Wigram Air Force Base Headquarters (1923, 74 acres) was later located (now a large scale housing development), harness racing flourished on the Plumpton Park track being a “trifle over a mile” in circumference (Christchurch Press 12/3/1884). The Plumpton Park Racing Club held its first trotting race on the programme dated 11 March 1884. In the 1890/91 season (12/11/1891), the club changed its name to Plumpton Park Racing and Trotting Club, then again in 1898 it became Plumpton Park Trotting Club (until 3/1/1910 meeting). Retaining this name until 1909/1910 season when another change to become the Canterbury Park Trotting Club holding its first meeting on 28 May 1910. The club continued to race here until its final meeting held at Plumpton Park on 3 June 1922 thereafter establishing itself at Addington Raceway (first meeting New Year’s Day 1923).

The awards evening consisted of pre-dinner drinks followed by a three course meal with the award ceremonies MC’s being Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin. For those interested in the Rugby Championship test between the All Blacks and Wallabies, a large screen was available for viewing at the conclusion of the award ceremonies. An audience of approximately 350 were in attendance.

The proceedings were dominated by a threesome consisting of top broodmare Scuse Me and her growing dynasty (Dream About Me, Have Faith In Me, Splendid Dreams, Adore Me, Christen Me); breeder/owner Charles Roberts (Bettors Delight, Dream About Me, Adore Me, Christen Me) and master trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen (Dream About Me, Chase The Dream, High Gait, Have Faith In Me, Adore Me; Mark Purdon also bred Scuse Me). Between them they swept up many of the awards on offer. Notable part owners among winning connections were All Blacks Kieran Reid/Andy Ellis and Dick Taylor (1974 10,000m Commonwealth Games champion) – 3yo trotter Speeding Spur.

The awards ceremony is the culmination of an exciting year’s exploits on the track. The highlight from a personal viewpoint in NZ was Adore Me’s win in the New Zealand Cup and in Australia at Menangle on Interdominion Grand Final day her outstanding 1:47.7 winning time in the Ladyship Mile. I was sitting next to double World Drivers champion Canadian Jodi Jamieson (2001, 2011) and asked him how he felt Adore Me would rate in North America. He commented that the boys let alone the girls would be hard pressed to beat a performance like hers. With that and Dexter Dunn taking out the 2015 World Drivers Championship, it capped a great day at Menangle.

Other season highlights were the many dominant Grand Circuit performances of pacer Christen Me and trotter Stent. The season ending Group One Harness Jewels day at Ashburton in 2015 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 stats to 31 July 2015, Australian stats to 2 August 2015) with votes received shown in brackets/25 votes per category :

Farmlands 2YO Pacing Filly : DREAM ABOUT ME (Bettors Delight/Splendid Dreams) [25]; owners : CJ Roberts, Mrs JL Roberts, PG Kenny, Mrs ML Kenny; trainers : M Purdon & Ms NC Rasmussen; seasonal record : 5 starts, 5 wins, $213,332, 1:53.3 (NZ fillies record), Aust 1 start, 1 win, $4,200, 1:57.4 – Delightful Lady Classic, NZ Sires Stakes, Harness Jewels

Other contenders : Arden’s Choice; Killer Queen; Northern Velocity

PGG Wrightson 2YO Pacing Colt or Gelding : CHASE THE DREAM (Bettors Delight/Christian Dreamer) [11]; owners : Mrs JL Feiss; trainers : M Purdon & Ms NC Rasmussen; seasonal record : NZ 9 starts, 6 wins, 2 placings $212,026, 1:54.8 – Cardigan Bay/Sapling Stakes, NZ Sires Stakes, sis ALES Graduate

Other contenders : Lazarus [7], Waikiki Beach [7]; Motu Premier

Crombie Lockwood Bloodstock 2YO Trotting Filly : HIGH GAIT (Muscles Yankee/Regal Volo) [24]; owners/lessees : Breckon Farms Super Seven Syndicate; trainers : M Purdon & Ms NC Rasmussen; seasonal record : 6 starts, 5 wins, 1 placing, $61,941, T2:00.7 (1700mM), Aust 1 start, 1 win, $33,548, T2:06.3 – NZ Trotting Stakes, NZ Sires Stakes, Redwood Classic

Other contenders : Arrannalea, Missandei [1], Wilma’s Mate

Lone Star 2YO Trotting Colt or Gelding : CONON BRIDGE (Raffaello Ambrosio) [25]; owners/lessees : PC Nairn, Mrs SE Nairn, Pedomi Syndicate, JC Thompson, JS Boyd; trainer : PC Nairn; seasonal record : 5 starts, 3 wins, 1 placing, $51,597, T2:02.0 (1950mM), Aust 1 start, $2,485 – NZ Yearling Sales series

Other contenders : Gunners Coin, He’s Like The Wind, Royal Willie

Woodlands Stud 3YO Pacing Filly : THE ORANGE AGENT (American Ideal/Lady Fingers) [25]; owners : Mrs PC Green, JP Green, Mrs ME Green, PC Bult; trainer : B Hughes; seasonal record : 15 starts, 12 wins, 1 placing, $340,498, 1:51.1 (NZ fillies/mares record; Australasian 3yo filly record) – Ladyship Stakes, GN Oaks, Nevele R Fillies, Harness Jewels

Other contenders : Democrat Party, Fight For Glory, Smokin Bird

Commodore Airport Hotel 3YO Pacing Colt or Gelding : HAVE FAITH IN ME (Bettors Delight/Scuse Me) [25]; owners : DM Dunford, MD Dunford; trainers : M Purdon & Ms NC Rasmussen; seasonal record : 11 starts, 7 wins, 1 placing, $544,729, 1:52.5 – NZ Sires Stakes, NZ Yearling Sales series, Flying Stakes, GN/NZ Derbies, Harness Jewels

Other contenders : Follow The Stars, Hug The Wind, I’m Full Of Excuses, Itz Bettor To Win

XCM 3YO Trotting Filly : SUNNY RUBY (Sundon/Bright Deidre) [21]; owners : WF Fletcher, SF Smolenski; trainer : WF Fletcher; seasonal record : 22 starts, 5 wins, 6 placings, $90,134, T1:54.7 (NZ fillies/mares record; Australasian female trotter record) – Harness Jewels

Other contenders : Fiery Mountain Girl, Habibti Ivy [4], Petite One, Wanna Play

PMP Print 3YO Trotting Colt or Gelding : SPEEDING SPUR (Pegasus Spur/Dellas Speed) [25]; owners/lessees : Woodlands Partnership Syndicate, Kieran Reid, Andy Ellis, RJ Taylor, D Hewett; trainers : JW & JI Dickie; seasonal record : 13 starts, 10 wins, 2 placings, $218,296, T2:01.1 (2600mM), Aust 1 start, 1 win, $50.423, T2:00.7 – GN/NZ Trotting Derbies, NZ Sires Stakes, NZ Yearling Sales series, Victorian Trotters Derby

Other contenders : BD Love, Monbet, Prince Fearless

Nevele R Stud 4YO & older Pacing Mare : ADORE ME (Bettors Delight/Scuse Me) [25]; owners : CJ Roberts, PG Kenny, Mrs ML Kenny; trainers : M Purdon & Ms NC Rasmussen; seasonal record : NZ 8 starts, 5 wins, 2 placings, $598,232, 1:51.6, Aust 4 starts, 2 wins, 1 placing A$190,263, 1:47.7 (Australasian all comers record) – Ashburton Flying Stakes, NZ Cup, GN Breeders Stakes, Queen of Hearts, Waikato Flying Mile, Brian Hancock Cup, Ladyship Mile, 2nd Auckland Cup/NZFFA, 3rd Victoria Cup, 2015 Australasian Grand Circuit Pacing Runner Up

Other contenders : Helena Jet, Lancewood Lizzie, Pemberton Shard, Venus Serena

HRV 4YO & older Pacing Entire or Gelding : CHRISTEN ME (Christian Cullen/Splendid Dreams) [24]; owners : CJ Roberts, VL Purdon; trainer : CT Dalgety; seasonal record : NZ 9 starts, 6 wins, 2 placings, $367,815, 1:54.1 (1950mM), Aust 5 starts, 3 wins, 1 placing, A$770,370, 1:49.1 – National Hcp, Maurice Holmes Vase, NZFFA, Miracle Mile, Easter FFA (Gordon Roxburgh), Bendigo/Victoria/Auckland/Easter Cups, 2nd Cranbourne Cup, 3rd Ashburton Flying Stakes/Canterbury Classic, 2015 Australasian Grand Circuit Pacing Champion

Other contenders : Gold Ace, Mossdale Connor, Ohoka Punter, Sky Major [1], Terror To Love

Harnessed 4YO & older Trotting Mare : KINCASLOUGH (Love You/Donegal Flat) [22]; owners : Yabby Dam Farms Ltd, Aimee Edmonds; trainers : CD & Miss AD Edmonds; seasonal record : 14 starts, 3 wins, 3 placings, $72,001, T2:01.2 (1950m) – Summer Trotting FFA, 2nd National Trot, 3rd Dominion Hcp, 4th Lyell Creek Stakes/Ashburton Trotters Mile

Other contenders : Habibti, Poppymalda [2], Regal Petite [1]

NRM 4YO & older Trotting Entire or Gelding : STENT (Dream Vacation/Belle Galleon) [24]; owner : TG Casey; trainers : CJ & J De Filippi; seasonal record : NZ 14 starts, 8 wins, 4 placings, $296,956, T1:54.5 (NZ record), Aust 5 starts, 5 wins, A$328,370, T1:57.1 (1720mM) – Ashburton Trotters Mile, NZ Trotting FFA, Lyell Creek Stakes, Cambridge Trotters Flying Mile, Cambridge Flying Stakes, Melton/Knight Pistol Trotters Cup, Aust Trotting Grand Prix, Great Southern Star – heat/final, NZ Trotting C/S, Rowe Cup, 2nd Anzac Cup, 3rd National Trot/Canterbury Park Trotting Cup, 2015 Australasian Grand Circuit Trotting Champion

Other contenders : Clover Don, Jaccka Justy, King Denny [1], Mum’s Pride, Sheemon

Alabar Stud Pacer of Year : CHRISTEN ME [17], Adore Me [6], Have Faith In Me [2]

Breckon Farms Trotter of Year : STENT [25]

Harness Racing New Zealand Harness Horse of Year : CHRISTEN ME [13], Adore Me [6], Stent [4], Have Faith In Me [2]

NZ Standardbred Breeders Association Broodmare of Year : SCUSE ME (family of Adore Me, Have Faith In Me, Christen Me, Dream About Me, Hands Christian etc)

NZ Standardbred Breeders Association Breeder of Year : CHARLES ROBERTS

Garrards Horse & Hound Stallion of Year: BETTORS DELIGHT (174 Winners, 365 wins, $6,007,862)

Addington’s Met Multiplier Owner of Year : TREVOR CASEY (92 winners Australasia wide including Stent, Sky Major, Waikiki Beach, Lazarus, Ayra, Missandei, Messini)

Auckland Trotting Club Leading Driver of Year : DEXTER DUNN (216 wins)

Resource Recycling Cruickshank Leading Junior Driver of Year : STEVIE GOLDING/ROBBIE CLOSE (42 wins)

Primary ITO Cadet of Year : SEAN GRAYLING Other finalists : Jack Harrington (2ND), Tyler Dewe (3RD), Kendra Gill, Mark Johnson Stacey Whatuira,

McMillan Equine Feeds Leading Trainer of Year : MARK PURDON & NATALIE RASMUSSEN (129 wins)

NZ Racing Board Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing : JOHN REEDY (West Coast identity, owner (Starship), breeder, trainer/driver, administrator)