The Tasman Room at Auckland Trotting Club’s Alexandra Park headquarters provided the venue for this year’s North Island Awards night, held on Saturday 3 September 2016. This year’s function was again sponsored by A Rocknroll Dance, courtesy of Nevele R and Alabar Studs.
The North Island Harness Racing Awards are a registered charitable trust which acts as an umbrella fundraising body for the kindred bodies:
- Auckland Trotting Owners Association
- North Island Standardbred Breeders Association Inc
- NZ Harness Racing Trainers and Drivers Association (Northern Branch) Inc
Nominees for the various awards are selected by the kindred bodies using their own set criteria which promote merit and North Island racing. As in past years the Auckland Trotting Club sponsored an award and paid for all cadets and junior drivers to attend.
The evening commenced with pre dinner drinks in the Lyell Creek Lounge before moving to the Tasman Room for a three course dinner and awards ceremony followed by a live band “Split Second”. Masters of Ceremonies for this evening of celebration were the well-respected industry media duo of Michael Guerin and Greg O’Connor.
The evening’s ice breaker was a fast and furious trivia session at a cost of a $5 note to participate in a hilarious general knowledge game with a Samsung tablet sponsored by Magness Video Ltd.
Among the major award winners were :
The NI Racing Achievement Award went to Dr Luk Chin. The quiet achiever, Luk’s trifecta on the night consisted of this award and nominations for leading owner and North island Trotter of the Year. Even more amazing is the unique record he holds in NZ harness racing as the only breeder, owner, trainer (121 wins, 110 trotters; 2015/6 $107k, first time over $100k in a season) and driver (105 wins, 98 trotters) to have recorded one hundred victories in each category – quite some quaddie!! The Tamahere based Luk is a full time anaesthetist at Waikato Hospital. Whilst only considering himself a hobby trainer, his achievements fully merit this award. Luk has never purchased any of his horses, he has breed them all himself. He received warmest congratulations from many of his peers on the night. Luk was accompanied by his wife Robin, sister and brother in law at the awards. It was also a personal pleasure to be in attendance to see my good friend Luk receive his award.
The NI Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing Award went to John and Colleen Butcher. Every industry has its dynasties. In NZ Harness Racing, in the South Island we have Holmes, Butt, Dunn ….. In the North Island, it is the Butcher family, all begun by John and Colleen Butcher (think David, Philip, Stephen, Zac, Ben, Shane . .).
Due to John’s ill health, Michael Guerin filmed an interview with John and Colleen at their Cambridge home where the award trophy was presented to them. David Butcher represented the many family members in attendance on the night with a moving acceptance speech.
John Butcher had great success with Desilu’s full sister Desiree, leased and then purchased for £500 from Akaroa breeder Jack Fergusson. This led to a long line of success for the Butchers with Tobias (2:02.8, $46,157, Franklin/Cambridge Gold/Rotorua Cups, numerous open class paces), Josias (1:58.1US, $153,650, Messenger, Thames Cup), Abidias (1:55.0, $235,200, Messenger, Taylor Mile, Cambridge Classic, Wellington/Taranaki/South Waikato Cups, City of Auckland FFA), Samarias (1:58.7), Zedechias (1:54.1US), Elias (2:00.2US, $243,653, Manukau Cup), Mathias (Cambridge Gold/Rotorua Cups) just a few from the Desiree branch of the family of Rita Bell. Also of note from the Desiree branch was Pascale Bromac (Leonard Memorial), bred by John and Colleen.
Sadly, John passed away the Tuesday after the Awards evening. I was fortunate to see his death notice in the NZ Herald and must share with you a memorable tribute to a fine horseperson :
“Our Dad was a racing man. He loved, lived and breathed harness racing. He started life on the east coast but with a little help from a holy man he got a start in the game. From a wide second row draw and with quiet confidence he slipped past the opposition early finding and marrying the only filly he would love and be loved by for 60 years. Positioning himself handy to the lead, he settled quietly on the fence, taking time to sire a breeding line that will remember him with respect, admiration and love. The run home in the straight reflected the man, quiet and determined with a little flash of the whip, he saluted the judge as all winners do. All our love, tears, and laughter John, JB, Dad and Pop.”
A full listing of winners from the 2016 A Rocknroll Dance North Island Harness Racing Awards follows :
Auckland Harness Racing Trust Premier Cadet Award : MARK JOHNSON
Other finalists : Erin Isherwood, Trent Lethaby
Dunstan North Island Amateur Driver of the Year – CHEREE WIGG (two wins from five starts)
Premier Horse Transport North Island Groom of the Year – NATHAN DELANEY
Other finalists : Taitlyn Hanara, Erin Isherwood, Riina Maattanen
Magness Video Ltd/ Vid-Com Ltd North Island Licence to Train/Owner – Trainer of the Year – TIM VINCE (nine winners, three were trotters)
Other finalists : Amanda Kiddie, David Marshall, Jeremy Young
Mitavite North Island Junior Drivers of the Year – KYLE MARSHALL (39 winners, $265k in stakes, second on NZ JD Premiership table)
Other finalists : Ben Butcher, Jack McKinnon, Andre Poutama
PGG Wrightson North Island 2 year old Colt or Gelding of the Year – VASARI (Art Major/Thebestamancanget); owners : Lincoln Farms Ltd, Mrs SB Fleming, RG Fleming, IA Middleton, P Jeffares ; trainer : Ray Green; seasonal record : 12 starts, 3 wins, 1 placing $49,348, 1:55.4 – Sires Stakes heats (2)
Other finalists : Billy Badger, Mitch Maguire, The Lone Ranger
PGG Wrightson North Island 2 year old Filly of the Year – PARTYON (Bettors Delight/Beach Parade); owners/lessees : Breckon Farms Top Ten Syndicate; trainers : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record – undefeated : 3 starts, 3 wins, $88,675, 1:55.5, Aust 2 starts, 2 wins, $150,000, 1:54.4 – Harness Jewels, Breeders Crown
Other finalists : Casino Belle, Lincolns Superstar, Strawberry Stride
Breckon Farms North Island 2 year old Trotter of the Year – HEAVYWEIGHT HERO (Muscle Mass/Successor); owners : AS Lowe, Miss ML Wong, Todd Macfarlane, Ms SML Macfarlane, NF Macfarlane, Mrs LM Macfarlane, The Banana Syndicate; trainer : Todd Macfarlane; seasonal record : 6 starts, 3 placings, $31,416, non winner – second Harness Jewels/NZYSS Trot, third NZ Sires Stakes finals
Other finalists : CK Spur, Mortician, War Machine
Breckon Farms North Island 3 year old Trotter of the Year – TEMPORALE (Monarchy/Whosinthenest); owners : DP Biddlecombe, DI Donaldson. Mrs S Herlihy, KJ Riseley ; trainer : Tony Herlihy ; seasonal record : 9 starts, 4 wins, 3 placings, $50,769, T2:00.7, 3 Aust starts, 3 placings, $15,070, non winner – second GN Trot Derby; thirds NZ Sires Stakes, VIC Trot Derby, Breeders Crown
Other finalists : Cyclone Chief, Gin, Lemond
Crombie Lockwood Bloodstock North Island 3 year old Colt or Gelding of the Year – SHANDALE (Art Major/Delightful Dale); owner : GA Shand; trainer : Maurice McKendry ; seasonal record : 20 starts, 7 wins, 4 placings, $102,771, 1:55.3 – Sires Stakes heat, third NZ Derby, fifth Harness Jewels
Other finalists : Kenrick, Motown, Walkinshaw
Crombie Lockwood Bloodstock North Island 3 year old Filly of the Year – ARDENS CHOICE (Panspacificflight/Winter Rose); owners : John Stiven, Les Roseveare, Lynette Roseveare, Judy Stiven ; trainer : Barry Purdon; seasonal record : 19 starts, 3 wins, 8 placings, $83,576, 1:56.6 – second Caduceus Club Ladyship Stakes, third NZ/GN Oaks, fourth Nevele R Fillies
Other finalists : Better Think Quick, Eclipse Me, Killer Queen
Merv and Meg Butterworth North Island Female Racing Accomplishment Award : LYN NEAL (nee Bebbington)
Other finalists : Nicola Chilcott, Arna Donnelly, Michelle Wallis
Garrards Horse and Hound North Island Owner of the Year – STONEWALL STUD (owners of Better B Amazed, Ashton K, Mach Time, The Lone Ranger, Rocknroll Princess, Rhythm N Blues, Up All Nite, Happy Magic, Step Up)
Other finalists : Luk Chin, Lincoln Farms, Charles Roberts, Woodlands Stud
Caduceus Club North Island Filly/Mare of the Year – DREAM ABOUT ME (Bettors Delight/Splendid Dreams); owners : Charles Roberts, Estate Mrs JL Roberts, Paul and
Mary Kenny; trainers : M Purdon & Ms NC Rasmussen ; seasonal record : 4 NZ starts, 2 wins, 2 placings, $167,700, 1:53.9 (1950mM); 6 Aus starts, 6 wins, $380,387, 1:53.4
Other finalists : Fight For Glory, Lusty Mac, Partyon, The Orange Agent
NI Standardbred Breeders Assn North Island Breeder of the Year – WOODLANDS STUD
Other finalists : Moira, John and Trish Green and Peter Bult; Kahukuri Bloodstock, Tony and Anne Parker, Charles Roberts
IRT North Island Driver of the Year – JOSHUA DICKIE (42 winners, $504k, 16th overall in NZ, 288 NZ lifetime winners). Major Australasian wins last season with Speeding Spur (Great Southern Star, Cambridge Trotters Flying Stakes)
Other finalists : David Butcher [leading NI driver on wins 2015/6 – 76], Philip Butcher, Scott Phelan
Veterinary Associates Equine and Farm North Island Trainer of the Year – STEVE TELFER AND CHRIS GARLICK (41 wins, $406k, ninth NZ Premiership, together over past five seasons trained 151 winners). Major seasonal victories with Prince Of Pops, Better B Amazed, No Doctor Needed [Founder 1700], Superimposed, Ideal Flybye, American Flybye
Other finalists : Jay Abernethy, John and Josh Dickie, Tony Herlihy [leading NI trainer on wins 2015/6 – 54]
Veterinary Associates Equine and Farm North Island Broodmare of the Year – SCUSE ME (first 12 foals have all won including Adore Me, Have Faith In Me, Imagine Me, Megabucks, Splendid Dreams)
Other finalists : Galleons Supreme, Lady Fingers, Pacing Grace, Splendid Dreams
Woodlands Stud North Island Stallion of the Year – BETTORS DELIGHT (leading sire world wide, bordering on 2,000 winners)
Other finalists : American ideal, Art Major, Mach Three
Harness Racing New Zealand North Island Trotter of the Year – SPEEDING SPUR (Pegasus Spur/Dellas Speed); owners : Woodlands Partnership Syndicate, Kieran Reid, Andy Ellis, Dick Taylor, Dave Hewett; trainers : John & Joshua Dickie; seasonal record : 5 NZ starts, 2 wins, 3 placings, $65,098, T1:59.5, 6 Aust starts, 4 wins, 2 placings A$304,901, T1:55.5 – Great Southern Star, Cambridge Trotters Flying Stakes, Breeders Crown/VIC Trotters Derby (4yo by NZ time); seconds National Trot, ANZAC Cup, AUS Trotting Grand Prix
Other finalists : Djokovic, Scarrymcleary, The Almighty Johnson, Yagunnakissmeornot
Auckland Trotting Club North Island Aged Pacer of the Year – HAVE FAITH IN ME
Bettors Delight/Scuse Me); owners : Dennis and Malcolm Dunford; trainers : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : 5 NZ starts, 2 wins, 2 placings, $161,899, 1:56.0 (2600mM), Aust 4 starts, 4 wins, A$612,600, 1:47.5 (Australasian all comers record) – Junior FFA, Auckland Cup, Miracle Mile, Chariots Of Fire, Paleface Adios; third Franklin Cup
Other finalists : Hughie Green, Shandale, The Orange Agent
A number of items were kindly donated to be auctioned : A Rocknroll Dance service fee donated by major sponsors Alabar/Nevele R Stud; Sir Lincoln service fee donated by Lincoln Farms; 2016 set of signed/framed Jewels colours (by winning drivers and trainers) and popular fishing trip with Ross Johnson and Tony Herlihy. These auction proceeds assist in supporting the annual NI Awards.
Sir Lincoln at Lincoln Farms North Island Racing Achievement Award – DR LUK CHIN
A Rocknroll Dance/Alabar/Nevele R Stud North Island Award for Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing – JOHN & COLLEEN BUTCHER
As was promised, a fabulous night of fun and entertainment was enjoyed by all. The evening was superably organised by the “Fab Four” of Suzanne Herlihy, Karen Blanchard, Joanne Cole and Raelene Balle.
Peter Craig
19 September 2016
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
