The Tasman Room at Auckland Trotting Club’s Alexandra Park headquarters provided the venue for this year’s Always B Miki North Island Awards night (sponsored by Alabar and Nevele R), held on Saturday 31 August 2018.
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. Junior Drivers and Cadets were fully subsidised for the Award evening.
The evening commenced with pre dinner drinks in the Lyell Creek Lounge, a three course dinner and awards ceremony followed by a live band “The Monroes” in the Tasman Room. Masters of Ceremonies for this evening of celebration were the well-respected industry duo of Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin. Leading North Island trainers Tony Herlihy and Barry Purdon dominated proceedings on the night taking out numerous Awards – Herlihy trained Bolt For Brilliance and Tickle Me Pink, leading NI Trainer, employer of NI Groom Of Year; Purdon trained Bad To The Bone, Belle Of Montana (two awards) and Jacks Legend.
The major award winners were (see write-ups later) :
The NI Racing Achievement Award went to Jeremy Young.
The NI Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing Award went to Peter Smith.
A full listing of winners from the 2019 Always B Miki North Island Harness Racing Awards follows :
AUCKLAND HARNESS TRUST – NORTH ISLAND PREMIER CADET AWARD – Kaleb Bublitz
employed by Arna Donnelly; Northern Regional rep in 2019 Airpark Canterbury NZ Cadet of Year competition
MAJESTIC HORSE FLOATS – NORTH ISLAND AMATEUR DRIVER OF THE YEAR – Bruce Hadley (one winning drive, nine placings from twenty starts, UDR .2667)
Other nominees : Warren Rich, Cheree Wigg, Sheryl Wigg
KAHUKURI BLOODSTOCK HOLLIS & ROBERTSON – NORTH ISLAND GROOM OF THE YEAR – Chanelle Lawson employed by Tony Herlihy; official photographer Cambridge Raceway (Chanelle Lawson Photography)
Other nominees : Emma Anderson, Danielle Green, Amanda Lever, Neslisa Turan
MAGNESS VIDEO LTD / VID-COM LTD – NORTH ISLAND LICENCE TO TRAIN/OWNER – TRAINER OF THE YEAR – Cheree Wigg (eight training wins, three of them trotters – Crackared five, Westy Boyz three; career training record : four seasons, fifteen wins; three Amateur driving successes )
Other nominees : Ray Darby, Philip Fleming, Scott Phelan, Tim Vince
AUCKLAND VETERINARY CENTRE – NORTH ISLAND JUNIOR DRIVER OF THE YEAR – Benjamin Butcher (sixteen winners, $192k, eighth on NZ JD Premiership)
Other nominees : Dylan Ferguson, Alicia Harrison, Fergus Schumacher, Luke Whittaker
PGG WRIGHTSON – NORTH ISLAND 2 YEAR OLD COLT OR GELDING OF THE YEAR – Bad To The Bone (Bettors Delight/Beaudiene Bad Babe gelding), owners Katrina Purdon, Chris, R Cole, Mrs T L Whittaker, Mrs A V Whittaker; trainer : Barry Purdon; seasonal record : five starts, two win, one placing, $33,640, 1:56.5, NZSS heat/fourth in final, fifth Yearling Sales Open
Other nominees : Eagle Watch, Perfect Stride, Tommy Lincoln, Zeuss Bromac
PGG WRIGHTSON – NORTH ISLAND 2 YEAR OLD FILLY OF THE YEAR – Sweet On Me (Sweet Lou/Adore Me filly), owners : leased by Charles Roberts, Paul and Mary Kenny; trainer : Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : seven starts, six wins, $246,960, 1:55.2, Jewels Diamond, Delightful Lady Fillies Classic, NZSS – 2f heat/final; second Caduceus Club Fillies Classic
Other nominees : Eighteen Carat, Little Miss Perfect, Pearl Harbour
BRECKON FARMS – NORTH ISLAND 2 YEAR OLD TROTTER OF THE YEAR – Bolt For Brilliance (Muscle Hill/Toomuch To Do gelding), owners : Suzanne Herlihy, D I Donaldson, P J Hailes, S H Mathews; trainer : Tony Herlihy; seasonal record : NZ – four starts, one win, one placing, T2:02.0, $66,964, Jewels Ruby; second Cambridge Trotting Stakes
Other nominees : Cheeky Babe, Chinski, Majestic Sunrise, Tarukenga
BRECKON FARMS – NORTH ISLAND 3 YEAR OLD TROTTER OF THE YEAR – Tickle Me Pink (Muscle Hill/Luby Ann filly), owners : leased by Breckon Farms Perfect Ten Syndicate; trainer : Tony Herlihy; seasonal record : four starts, four wins, $120,491, NZSS – 3T, Northern Trotting Guineas, NI Trotters Oaks, Jewels Ruby, T2:01.6 (recorded on three out of four occasions
Other nominees : Anditover, Kratos, Oscar Bonavena, Tricky Ric
DUNSTAN – NORTH ISLAND 3 YEAR OLD COLT OR GELDING OF THE YEAR – Supreme Dominator (Bettors Delight/Galleons Supreme gelding ), owners Katrina Purdon, Dr K J McKerrow, R Cole, Mrs S M Faddy, A P Saker (sold late in season to S Castro, C Sant – exported to Victoria, Australia); trainer : Barry Purdon; NZ seasonal record : eight, one win, four placings, $77,222, 1:58.4, second NZ Derby, thirds Yearling Sales Open/GN Derby; one AUS start VIC Derby heat (fifth), A$720
Other nominees : Bettorstartdreaming, Blazen River, Double Rocket, Gambit
DUNSTAN – NORTH ISLAND 3 YEAR OLD FILLY OF THE YEAR – Belle Of Montana (Bettors Delight/Lady Cullen filly); owners : Montana Park Pty Ltd; trainer : Barry Purdon; seasonal record : NZ ten starts, seven wins, two placings, $312,075, 1:54.1, Ladyship Stakes, NZSS – 3f heat/final, Nevele R Fillies heat/final, Jewels Diamond; second GN Oaks, third NZ Oaks; AUS two starts, two wins, A$99,180, 1:54.9, VIC Oaks heat/final
Other nominees : Best Western, Dina Brown, The Stunning Nun
MERV & MEG BUTTERWORTH – NORTH ISLAND FEMALE RACING ACCOMPLISHMENT AWARD – Arna Donnelly female trainer (last season : 33 winners, career record : 159 winners ; 29 trotters over past fifteen seasons) and driver (162 winners with 48 being trotters over past two decades). Has been employer of past two years NI Cadets of Year – 2018 Alicia Harrison (successful junior driver, thirteen wins each of past two seasons) and 2019 – Kaleb Bublitz (see above), Arna Donnelly also won this particular award in 2017
Other nominees : Nicky Chilcott, Adrienne Matthews, Michelle Wallis, Sheryl Wigg
GARRARDS HORSE AND HOUND – NORTH ISLAND OWNERS OF THE YEAR – Breckon Farms
Included amongst latest seasons winners were Miracle Mile champion Spankem (part owners; four Group Ones); outstanding three year trotting filly Tickle Me Pink (Jewels Ruby, NI Trotters Oaks); two year old trotting fillies Cheeky Babe (four wins, Cambridge Trotting Stakes – 2T) and Tailored Elegance (one win NZSS – 2T, third NZ Trotting Stakes – 2T, fifth Jewels Ruby); Diamonds N Cash (five 3yo wins, Marlborough Winter Cup); Flying Even Bettor (part owners, Kindergarten Stakes) plus Elle Mac (raced by Jean Feiss; bred by Breckon Farms ) now returned to Breckon Farms broodmare paddock
Other nominees : Nancy Hackett, Suzanne Herlihy, Gary Williams
CADUCEUS CLUB – NORTH ISLAND FILLY / MARE OF THE YEAR – Belle Of Montana (see earlier)
Other nominees : Best Western, Sweet On Me, Tickle Me Pink, Tiger Swift
NORTH ISLAND STANDARDBRED BREEDERS ASSOCIATION INC – NORTH ISLAND BREEDER OF THE YEAR – Woodlands Stud Included amongst latest seasons winners bred by Woodlands Stud were Speeding Spur (see later), Jesse Duke (GN Stakes, Flying Stakes, GN Derby heat, Jewels Emerald), Smooth Deal (Sapling/Cardigan Bay Stakes), Virgil (Diamond Creek Farm Classic – 2), Supreme Dominator (see earlier), Henry Hubert (NZSS Aged Pace, Northern Southland Cup, Superstars 4yo), All U Need Is Faith (Firestone Junior FFA)
Other nominees : Breckon Farms, Rob Carr & Don Kirkbride, Rod Croon, Charles Roberts, Braedon & Caroline Whitelock
IRT – NORTH ISLAND DRIVER OF THE YEAR – Zachary Butcher (eighty winners, a career best as an open driver, $1.411m, fifth overall in NZ driver’s premiership, 707 NZ lifetime winners to season end 2018/19). Major wins last season with Belle Montana (Ladyship Stakes, NZSS – 3f, Nevele R Fillies, Jewels Diamond, VIC Oaks), Havtime (Yearling Sales Fillies), four Group One wins including one in Australia. Public trainer, first season : one starter for a winner, second and third (Jewels Emerald) with Zeuss Bromac who finished fourth in the VIC Breeders Crown two year old colts and geldings final.
Other nominees : David Butcher, Tony Herlihy, Scott Phelan, Andre Poutama
VETERINARY ASSOCIATES EQUINE AND FARM – NORTH ISLAND TRAINER OF THE YEAR –
Tony Herlihy (fifty four wins, $879k, fifth in NZ trainer’s premiership, 941 NZ lifetime winners to season end 2018/19). Major seasonal victories with Tickle Me Pink (Jewels Ruby – 3T, NI Trotting Oaks, NZSS – 3T), Bolt For Brilliance (Jewels Ruby – 2T), Temporale (Cambridge Trotters Flying Mile and Stakes). First NZ driver to record in excess of 3,500 victories during season
Other nominees : John & Josh Dickie, Arna Donnelly, Ray Green, Barry Purdon, Michelle Wallis & Bernie Hackett
VETERINARY ASSOCIATES EQUINE AND FARM – NORTH ISLAND BROODMARE OF THE YEAR – Lady Cullen, two wins, 1:55.9, $11,838 (Christian Cullen/Andress Blue Chip an Artsplace mare), bred by Cullen Bloodstock Ltd, dam of leading three year old filly Belle Of Montana (see earlier : twelve career starts, nine wins, two placings, 1:54.1, $415,484). Dam of six foals, one died, three starters for two winners apart from Belle Of Montana includes Delightful Kas (three wins, 2:00.4, $23,647). Mare died in 2017.
Other nominees : Adore Me, Changedown, Della’s Speed, Splendid Dreams
HR FISKEN AND SONS – NORTH ISLAND TROTTING STALLION OF THE YEAR – Majestic Son; 2018/19 – 72 winners of 135 races, $1.823m (lifetime : NZ – 156, AUS – 90 winners; over 400 worldwide)
Other nominees : Love You, Pegasus Spur
WOODLANDS STUD – NORTH ISLAND PACING STALLION OF THE YEAR – Bettor’s Delight
(leading sire world-wide, in excess of 2,800 winners); 2018/9 – 188 winners of 369 races (one trotter won three races), $7.407m
Other nominees : American Ideal, Art Major, Changeover, Mach Three
HARNESS RACING NEW ZEALAND – NORTH ISLAND AGED TROTTER OF THE YEAR – Speeding Spur (Pegasus Spur/Dellas Speed entire), owners : Woodlands Partnership Syndicate, Kieran Reid, Andy Ellis, Dick Taylor, Dave Hewett; trainers : John & Joshua Dickie; seasonal record : ten NZ starts, four wins, four placings, T1:58.8, $183,866, Kaikoura South Bay Cup, NZ Trotting FFA (NZR T2:26.3, 1980mM, Addington), NZ Trotting Championship; second Rowe Cup, fourths Dominion Hcp, ANZAC Cup; five Aust starts, two wins, two placings, two ID heat wins/second Trotters Grand Final, A$51,050, T1:58.7. Winner of Crawford Farms – OT at Tioga Downs, USA for Woodlands Stud (owners) in T1:52.4US (sixth ever and fifth fastest T1:53 NZ bred trotter)
Other nominees : Forget The Price Tag, Lemond, Massive Metro, Temporale
AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB – NORTH ISLAND AGED PACER OF THE YEAR – Jacks Legend (Bettors Delight/Larissa Rose gelding), owners : Mrs K J Purdon, T F Henderson, Est R M Baker, Clear View Racing Syndicate No 1, Solid Gold Standardbreds, Mrs C Nausbaum; trainer : Barry Purdon; seasonal record : fifteen starts, four wins, three placings, $132,575, 1:53.9, Cambridge 4/5 Futurity, Founders 1700, City of Auckland FFA; second Holmes DG, third NZFFA, fourth Auckland Cup. Exported to North America in May 2019. Jacks Legend won 3 year old Colt or Gelding of the Year at the 2017 Awards
Other nominees : Mach Shard, On The Cards, Star Galleria, Triple Eight
SIR LINCOLN AT LINCOLN FARMS BLOODSTOCK – NORTH ISLAND RACING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Jeremy Young
The 2018/9 season was one of transformation for Pukekohe public trainer Jeremy Young when he recorded his first Group One success with three year old filly Best Western. Well known for his success in Australia as travelling foreman for Mark Purdon acting as Auckland Reactor’s strapper, Young recommenced his training duties in the 2012/3 season (three starters for a third placing in 2003/4 – 2004/5 seasons previously). He obtained his initial training success with American Angel at Alexandra Park in May 2013. A further five winners came in the 2013/4 season (American Angel/Pushkin twice, Lislass).
With only three winners in 2014/5 (Brydon Delight twice, American Angel), the 2015/6 saw an upturn with a total of seven winners, five trained for his late mentor and friend Bryan Newberry (Brydon Ideal four, Brydon Delight) who passed away late April 2016, the last of them being Brydon Ideal’s victory in a C3-7 pace at Alexandra Park on 15 April 2016. His other two winners were Bolting and Brydon Ideal for the estate of Bryan Newberry.
A quieter season again in 2016/7 with four victories but these included the appearance in the winners circle of American Empress (then 2yo filly), together with Circus Boy, Harper Franco and Jamm Kiss.
A big step up in the 2017/8 season with eight winners (Lynbar Rose three, American Empress two, Brydon Ideal [Tauranga Grass Cup], Kolovos, Best Western 2yo filly). American Express was the star of the season. Bred by John Green, she was purchased at the 2014 weanling sales for $8,500 by owners Hazel van Opzeeland, Kenneth Moore, Paul Curran and the Zinnycef Syndicate. In addition to the two successes, American Empress finished third in Ladyship Stakes, NZSS – 3f final (second in heat) and 3yo Fillies Graduette as well as fifth in NZ Oaks and eighth in both Nevele R Fillies and Jewels Diamond.
American Empress was awarded the 2017 Dunstan North Island 3 year old Filly of the Year title (19 starts, one win, 8 placings, $56,796, 1:58.1).
Jeremy Young’s crowning glory and major career achievement came in the latest season (2018/19) with Best Western’s win in the GN Oaks. One of eight training successes for Young (Best Western/Eldolar two, The Stunning Nun three, American Empress), Best Western established a NZR for the 2700m GN Oaks journey of 3:16.4/1:57.0 MR when driven to success by Saliesh Abernethy for owner Dr Andrew Grierson (Woodlands Stud). She finished fourth in NZ Oaks, sixth in Nevele R Fillies and ninth in Jewels Diamond before Young took her to Victoria to contest the Breeders Crown where she placed second in the three year old Fillies final.
American Empress continued on her way with a win (2200M Alexandra Park in 2:37.8/1:55.4 on New Year’s Eve 2018) plus seconds in NZ Breeders Stakes and NZSS Northern Mares Classic plus thirds in GN Breeders Stakes and Uncut Gems prior to her export to North America where she has since won in 1:53.0US
The mid-forties Young has trained thirty six winners (one trotter) for $600k in stakes and a career UDR to date of 0.1985.
ALWAYS B MIKI – ALABAR/NEVELE R STUD – NORTH ISLAND AWARD FOR
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO HARNESS RACING – Peter Smith
Peter Smith : successful breeder, owner, administrator over a lengthy period is accordingly a very worthy recipient of the 2019 North Island Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing.
Peter and partner Winky Foley are directors of Kahukuri Bloodstock Limited, their harness racing and breeding venture. According to HRNZ records, at latest count they have some thirty horses registered in Kahukuri interests plus one horse leased out. Half of these horses are unraced essentially yearlings or two/three year olds. Many are the result of breeding arrangements, a good number with Brain West’s Studholme Park, a long-time friend and breeding partner.
One win racehorses at present include Accelere, Astuto (bred with Studholme Park) and Awhi Mai. Fillies breeding on include Apassionato (four wins, dam of one live filly), Exposay (dam of five winners, including El Jacko), La Soiree (with Studholme Park, five wins, dam of Anthem, four wins, 1:53.1US) and Sheazanelsu (with Studholme Park, three wins, dam of winner).
Worthy of special mention are :
- Bree, non-winning Sundon mare (half-sister to Stig, close relations of family include Take A Moment, Dr Hook, Quite A Moment), dam of four with two to race for two trotting winners including Get Lucky, NZYSS – 3T
- Crafty (bred with Studholme Park), one race winning Village Jasper mare (1:56.5TT), dam of four, two to race for two winners including Risk, nine NZ wins (Te Awamutu/Manawatu Cups), Holmes DG; six WA wins, five at Gloucester Park; 1:48.2US at Hoosier Park
Notable breeding successes in recent years for Kahukuri Bloodstock and Studholme Park have included Wilma’s Mate (out of a Sundon Mare from Rob the Nest), won fourteen races throughout Australasia including NZ Trotters Oaks, NZYSS – 3T, VIC Trotters Derby, Breeders Crown – 3T, Jewels Ruby – 4T, T1:55.1 and just under $350k for Rob Cornelius. A starter in the 2019 WA Pacing Cup was Elsu/Exposay gelding El Jacko (second to Rocknroll Lincoln), bred by Kahukuri Bloodstock, winner of twenty one races, two in NZ, 1:55.2AUS, $344k, Pinjarra/Narrogin Cups.
On a personal note, prior to the formation of Kahukuri Bloodstock, my company Capital Standardbreds Ltd, purchased at the 1999 NZ Premier Yearling Sales Sealed With A Kiss (Falcon Seelster/Resonance by Sokys Atom from good race winning mare Belle Jane, nine wins) from Peter Smith. She went on to leave three winners including two in 1:55, Image of Courage p2, 1:54.5 (1:53.4 best time). Resonance, unraced left eleven foals for six winners for breeders Smith, Foley and West including Another Blinder (1:55.1US), High Calibre (1:52.1US, $659,090) and Calibrator (1:53.1US) with her fillies breeding on.
As an administrator Peter has over the years been extensively involved with organisations such as :
- NZ Standardbred Breeders Association – North Island Branch President, Vice President and Committee Member; North Island Councillor on NZSBA National Committee
- Member of HRNZ Executive Board for seven years (2001/2 – 2007/8)
- Auckland Trotting Club Board Director
- President and Life Member of Kumeu Trotting Club
- Director of the Judicial Control Authority for racing in New Zealand
- Chairperson of Cardigan Bay Holdings
In addition, he has been an honorary solicitor for Kumeu Agricultural & Horticultural Society and Te Akaranga Play Centre Association as well as President of the Waitakere Rotary Club.
Smith and Partners, Peter’s law firm are regular sponsors at Alexandra Park particularly in respect of the Winter Cup run annually in June. Kahukuri Bloodstock sponsored the North Island Groom of the Year for the past three years.
As was promised, a fabulous night of fun and entertainment was enjoyed by all. The evening was again superbly organised for the thirteenth time by the “Fab Four” of Suzanne Herlihy, Karen Blanchard, Janene Cole and Raelene Balle.
Peter Craig
2 September 2019
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
