2021 SOUTHLAND AWARDS CEREMONY

The 34th Southland Harness Racing Awards due to be held on Sunday 5 September 2020 at the Ascot Park Hotel in Invercargill, were delayed due to the level 3 restrictions in place resulting from the implications of COVID-19. The rescheduled awards ceremony was to be held on Tuesday 5 October 2021.

Once again with the Level 2 restrictions applying in early October meaning the awards event would have been held with a maximum of one hundred attendees the annual celebrations had to be cancelled. With the current season well underway and continuing uncertainty regarding COVID levels, it was deemed no longer viable to hold the annual awards event for the second year running.

Instead the 2021 Southland Awards were exclusively announced on the online platform of www.southernharness.co.nz at 8pm on Tuesday 5 October. The Southern Harness Awards Committee again managed to provide a means for the Awards to be announced with winners being acknowledged at upcoming Southern race meetings. This achievement is a credit to all those involved and something that has not been possible for several other regional groupings.

The major Southland award winners for 2021 are (stats as at 31 July 2021 and updated where applicable to 3 October) :

• Southland Harness Awards Broodmare of Year : SOUTHWIND ARDEN

Southwind Arden (2007 Bettors Delight/Winter Rose, 1:58.4, $150,126, nine wins). Bred and raced by Noreen Stiven, owned by John Stiven, trained by Mark Purdon (individually) and with Grant Payne. Dam of seven foals, three to race, all winners including South Beach Arden, two time winner, 2:01.0, $22,560; South Coast Arden, ten race winner, six in 2020/21 at four (three Alexandra Park, two Addington), 1:51.6 (Cambridge), $194,172, Harness Jewels Emerald – 4, Winter Cup and Addington FFA, Canterbury Classic; Platinum Stride, Alexandra Park winner, 2:01.2NZ, four VIC wins, two at Melton, 1:54.4AUS, $71,771, second Breeders Crown Silver 2yo, thirds Cardigan Bay Stakes, VHRC Caduceus 3yo Classic

This is the fourth time the Stiven family has won this award. Their other Southland Broodmare of the Year winners were Arden Regal (2003), Arden’s Dream (2008) and Winter Rose (2012). Southwind Arden is a daughter of Winter Rose.

There were thirteen nominations for this Award and apart from Southwind Arden the other finalists with seasonal highlights listed were –

Glenburn Jewel (1993 Live Or Die/Glenburn Rose, 1:59.3, $51,981, five wins) – bred/raced by E C Hailes and now owned by P J Hailes. Dam of eight foals, four to race, all winners including Glenburn Joy, two time winner, 1:58.8, $13.055; The Honey Badger , three wins, 1:57.9, $18,045; Smokin Annie, five wins as a six year old in latest season, 1:57.9, $33,925;

Boots Electric, ten AUS wins at four in 2020/21 season (three Menangle; six VIC, three Melton; one Globe Derby), 1:51.2AUS, $161,672, VIC Bonanza, VHRSC Caduceus Metro, SA Cup

Kylie Ree (2007 Monarchy/Nerokilo, T1:59.9. $112,730, four wins) – bred by Silverdale West Melton Ltd, raced by B W McCully, S J McCully, trainers ; Mark Purdon/ Grant Payne, Maree Price; now owned by Nathan Williamson.

Dam of six foals, five to race, all winners including She’s Allthecraze, eight win trotter with one at Addington on NZ Cup Day in latest season, T2:03.1, $85,793, second GN Breeders Stakes; Springbank Lachie, three wins, T1:59.8, $52,686, NZ Trotting Stakes – 2T, NZYSS – 2T; Hawaiian Hula, Invercargill winner, T2:12.8, $8,040; Kiwitrix, five wins, four in 2020/21 including one at Alexandra Park, T2:03.6, $46,023; Son Of Patrick, four wins, all last season at three at Cambridge, T2:02.7, $69,910, Cambridge Trotters Gold Cup Final, thirds Harness Million, NZ/GN Trotters Derbies and Jewels Ruby

Mach N Elle (2004 Mach Three/Elleuro, pl 2:01.4, $2,454, non-winner) – bred by A R and Mrs E M Sloan, owned by Steve and Claire Sloan, Brendon McIntyre, trained by Brendon McIntyre. Dam of five foals, three to race, all winners including Darcee, eight NZ wins, seven at Alexandra Park, 1:54.9NZ, 1:50.4US, $260,500, Northern Country Cups Championship; Machjgger, five wins, two Invercargill/Waikouaiti, 2:00.4, $43,638; Watch Me Now (see Southland Harness Awards Horse of the Year nominee below)

• Southland Harness Awards Horse of the Year : PEMBROOK PLAYBOY

Pembrook Playboy (2016h Bettors Delight/Dudinka’s Star, 1:55.3, $151,200, eleven wins from nine three year old starts) – bred by Pembrook Park Ltd, owned by Chris Alcock of Invercargill , trained by Nathan Williamson. The latest “Cups” king, he was the winner of seven from fifteen races as a four year old in the 2020/21 season, these included Central Otago, Invercargill, NZMTC Summer, Northern Southland and Southern Country Cups final. Major placings were second in Southern Supremacy (run at four), thirds in Superstars 4/5yo Championship and Uncut Gems plus a fourth in the Easter Cup. A leading three year old colt in Southland, he recorded four wins at Ascot Park, Invercargill over the space of four months. Earlier as a two year old Pembrook Playboy finished fourth in the Gp 2 Diamond Creek 2yo Classic. Already placed fourth in Hannon Memorial and second in Canterbury Classic in transitional 2021 season.

Other nominees with seasonal highlights listed were –

Watch Me Now (He’s Watching/Mach N Elle, 1:53.3, $123,655, seven wins) – bred by Steve and Claire Sloan, Brendon McIntyre, owned by Steve and Claire Sloan, Brad and Jess Sloan, Halie and Alan Gibb and trained by Kirstin Barclay and Paul “Tank” Ellis. The winner of four of her twelve starts at four including Gp 1 NZ Breeders Stakes, placed second in Wairio Cup,  thirds in Southland Oaks (run at four), Central Otago Cup and Premier Mares Championship with three of her wins coming at NZMTC headquarters, Addington Raceway. Earlier Watch Me Now won three from five starts as a 3yo including a 1:53.3 mile at Young Quinn Raceway, Wyndham. Sold to North America where she won her first start at the Meadowlands on 9 July 2021 in 1:49.3US, again at Meadowlands in 1:49.4US on 4 September 2021.

Vintage Cheddar (2014g Betterthancheddar/Howfarnow, 1:54.1, $160,620, eleven wins) – bred and owned by Lindsay and Ian Thomson, trained by Alister Black. In his latest season, the winner of three including a NZ Cup week double of Gp3 Junior FFA and Show Day FFA 1:54.1) plus Winton Cup and seconds in Cromwell, Riverton and Northern Southland Cups.  The winner of the Wairio Cup (1:58.5MR, 2400mM) first up at five with thirds in NZMTC Summer Cup, Northern Southland Cup and a fifth in 4/5yo Superstars’ in an interrupted five start only season. At four, second in the Southern Country Cups series to Sagwitch, Vintage Cheddar recorded five wins in Country Cup races at Central Southland Raceway (Wyndham) and Invercargill, with a further Invercargill win and two at Addington (Winter Cup). Earlier a two time winner at three.

Ragazzo Mac (2017g Mach Three/Ragazzo Bromac, 1:55.5, $79,262, seven wins) – bred by SP and EL Daly, owned by Neville Cleaver, sold in late February 2021 to Swandoo Harness Racing Pty Ltd Syndicate (Western Australia), trained by Nathan Williamson. The leading Southland three year old of the past season, his seven wins came from thirteen starts, including Wairio Cup and Southern Supremacy Stakes; four wins at Central Southland Raceway and three at Ascot Park, Invercargill.  Placed second in Diamond Creek Classic (run at three) and fourth in Harness Jewels Emerald at Cambridge Raceway. Subsequently exported to Western Australia in June 2021.

• Southland Harness Awards Achievement of Year: NATHAN WILLIAMSON (leading trainer/driver) :

Once again leading Southland trainer and driver as has been the case over the past decade, Nathan Williamson’s forty eight training successes ranked him fifth nationally and was a personal seasonal training record – 48 wins, $492,466, UDR 0.3417, continuing his unbroken run since 2009 as Southlands leading trainer, career record of 297 wins at 3 October. His driving successes during 2020/21 saw him record his second best total of 82 wins, $820,110, UDR 0.2753, with a career record total of 913 victories at 3 October. Nathan was leading Southland trotting driver of year with twenty six wins.

Among his group training/driving successes were Ragazzo Mach and Pembrook Playboy (refer earlier) while Dark Horse, Chinese Whisper and Kiwitrix were other notable winners. He also recorded group driving successes with You’re So Fine and Nutcracker.

Nathan Williamson also won this award in 2013 when it was titled Southland Harness Personality of the Year.

Other nominees were : Kristin Barclay (successful driving/training season especially with Watch Me Now), Katrina and John Price (two record breaking yearling colts sold at NZB Christchurch sales) and Chelsea Faithful (nine Junior Driver successes, second to Elle Barron).

• Southland Harness Awards Contribution to Harness Racing : BRENT MCINTYRE

Nominated by the Northern Southland Trotting Club, Brent McIntyre’s Macca Lodge

establishment is the only breeding farm in Southland. Macca Lodge provide a full breeding service for mares during the season with agistment provided on the property. Training at Riversdale, he trained his fifteenth winner in the season under review (53 since 1993). Brent bred, developed and sold Balcatherine to Western Australia where she has won eight races since April 2019 (all at Gloucester Park) including the Group 1 Westral Mares Classic and Group 3 Christmas Belles Pace. He also bred Queen Shenandoah the winner of four including the Group 2 Nights Of Thunder since August 2020. He also prepared and qualified multiple Australian group winner Boots Electric (Caduceus Metro Classic, 4yo Bonanza, SA Cup). Watch Me Now the winner of the G1 NZ Breeders Stakes was bred by Brent in partnership with Steve and Claire Sloan.

On the committee of the Southern Standardbred Breeders Association, Caduceus Club of Southland and the Northern Southland Trotting Club, Brent was formerly on the Winton Trotting Club.  He is an integral part of the Southern Bred Southern Reared Yearlings Promotion group which promotes Southern yearlings at NZB Standardbred sales. He is co proprietor of Macca Lodge who are long time sponsor/co-sponsors of the Southland Oaks, South of the Waitaki (Addington Show Day) and generous sponsor to other clubs under the Southland banner. Brent was Southland Harness Awards 2012 Personality of the Year.

Brent McIntyre’s contribution over the years to Southland Harness Racing has been considerable.

A list of other Award winners follows :

Southern Standardbred Breeders Awards :

• Two Year Old Filly of the Year: Nutcracker – Owner : P & BR Duffy; Trainer Craig Fergusson
• Three Year Old Filly of the Year: Tac Mac – Owner : C R Dixon, Mrs A M Barron-Dixon, D J Orr, Mrs J M Orr, M A Tempelman, L Tempelman, P F Forde, J G Wilks; Trainer Brent Shirley
• Aged Race Mare of the Year: Watch Me Now – Owner : Steve and Claire Sloan, Brad and Jess Sloan, Halie and Alan Gibb; Trainers Kirstin Barclay and Paul “Tank” Ellis

Group Certificates –

• Amazing Dream (Vin and Daphne Devery): 1^st Group One Free for All – Addington 26^th March 2021, 1^st Group Two Premier Mares Classic – Addington – 29^th January 2021, 1^st Group One Auckland Cup – Auckland – 31^st December 2021, 1^st Group Three Northern Breeders Stakes – Auckland – 4^th December 2020 and 1^st Group One Nevele R Fillies Series Final – Addington – 10^th November 2020.
• Nutcracker (Paul and Brendan Duffy): 1^st Group Three Caduceus Club of Southland/Alabar Fillies Classic – Invercargill 13^th March 2021.
• One Apollo (Lex and the estate of Heather Williams): 1^st Group Three DG Jones Memorial Trotting Cup – Banks Peninsula – 27^th September 2020 and 1^st Group Three Southern Lights – Northern Southland – 31^st March 2021.
• Play Philly (Mark and Pauline O’Connor): 1^st Group Three Leonard Memorial Stakes – Cheviot – 7^th March 2021.
• South Coast Arden (John Stiven): 1^st Group One Four-Year-Old Emerald – Cambridge – 6^th June 2021.
• Vintage Cheddar (Ian and Lindsay Thompson): 1^st Group Three New Zealand Junior Free for All – Addington 10^th November 2021.
• Watch Me Now (Brent McIntyre): 1^st Group One New Zealand Breeders Stakes – Addington 12^th February 2021.
• Emma Frost (Bill Keeler): 1^st Group Three Northern Trotting Stakes – Auckland – 26^th February 2021.

NZ Record Holders –

• Splash Cola 2-30.6 – 5^th February 2021 – 2000 metre stand – Addington (IW Hunter) – Trainer Regan Todd.
• Watch Me Now 3-97.2 – 12^th February 2021 – 2600 metre mobile – Addington (Steve and Claire Sloan, Brad and Jess Sloan, Halie and Alan Gibb); Trainers Kirstin Barclay and Paul “Tank” Ellis

Southern Harness Awards –

• Two Year old Colt or Gelding of the Year: You’re So Fine – Owner : MCC Syndicate then from 8^th June 2021 Mrs BV Richardson, MCC Syndicate and GL Moore; Trainer Brett Gray
• Southern Standardbred Breeders Fast Mile Rate Filly/Mare: Yankee Party 1-53.7 – Wairio 19 December 2021 – Owners FJ and KV Price; Trainers John and Katrina Price
• Robin Dundee Club Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year: Tac Mac (C R Dixon, Mrs A M Barron-Dixon, D J Orr, Mrs J M Orr, M A Tempelman, L Tempelman, P F Forde, J G Wilks) – Trainer: Brent Shirley.
• Robin Dundee Club Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding of the Year: Ragazzo Mach (Neville Cleaver) – Trainer: Nathan Williamson.

Caduceus Club of Southland Award :

• Caduceus Club trotter : TWEEDLEDEE – Owner: JR Bond; Trainer: Lyndon Bond

Southland Trainers and Drivers Association Awards :

• Leading Trainer: NATHAN WILLIAMSON (48 Wins, $492.466, UDR 0.3417)
• Leading Driver: NATHAN WILLIAMSON (82 wins, $820,110, UDR 0.2753)
• Leading Junior Driver: ELLIE BARRON (15 wins, $195,924, UDR 0.1382)
• Leading Trotting Driver of Year : NATHAN WILLIAMSON (26 wins)

Breeders Awards :

1:58 pins (trotters two minutes) for horses raced by members of the Southland Standardbred Breeders Association

• Arden Messi (John Stiven) – 11/09/20-NZ Metro- 1:6.

• Braeview Kelly (Paul Pearce) – 25/10/20-Tuapeka-1:54.8 .
• Chablis (Syd Brown) -28/05/21 – Auckland-1:57.7.
• Gayle Force (Tim Grant) -12/11/20 – Ashburton-1:54.7.
• Hampton (Wayne McEwan) – 29/10/20 – Invercargill-1:57.5.
• I’mallaboutthebase (Steve Baucke) -27/11/20 – NZ Metro-1:57.8.
• Mach’s Back (Murray Little) -17/04/21-Wairio – 1:57.8.
• Miss Auckland (Owen Lawrence) -21/02/21 – Winton-1:54.3.
• Nota Bene Denario (Robert Symon) -03/09/20 – Invercargill-1:57.9.
• Outamyway (Trotter) (Peter Williams)-02/10/2020 – NZ Metro-1-59.9.
• Rakarippa (Brendan Fahy) -31/12/20 – Winton-1:55.4.
• Rough and Ready (Robert Symon) -28/05/21 – Auckland-1:56.7.
• Sassy’s VC (Marty Fairbairn) -04/03/21 – Riverton-1:56.6.
• Sentry (Ian Bennett) -10/10/20- Northern Southland –1:57.9 and 15/10/20 – Wairio-1.55.5.
• Smokin Annie (Paul Hailes) – 11/06/2021-NZ Metro – 1-57.9.
• Smokin Bandar (Trotter) (Tom Kilkelly) – 07/02/2021 – Winton – 1-57.5.
• Suzie Rocks (Noddy Orr) – 25/06/21-NZ Metro –1:55.9.
• Sweet Lizzie (Tim Grant) -20/08/20-Winton -1.56.1 and 10/12/20-Winton –1:57.5.
• Swell Time (Steve Baucke) – 06/08/20 -Invercargill-55.6, 15/11/20-Winton 1.56.1 and 27/11/20-NZ Metro-1.56.6.
• Tenzing Bromac (Wayne McEwan) – 05/03/21 – NZ Metro-1:56.7.
• The Maroon Marauder (Ray Knight) – 13/11/20 – NZ Metro-1:55.1.
• Town Echo (Stu Gillan) -28/05/21-NZ Metro – 1:57.2 and 20/06/21 -NZ Metro-1.57.5.
• Tres Chic (Stu Gillan) -21/05/21-NZ Metro – 1:56.3 and 07/02/21-Winton –1.57.9.
• Yankee Party (John and Katrina Price) -19/12/2020-Wairio –1-53.7.

New Zealand Records set in Southland (2020/2021 season) :

• You’re So Fine – Mrs B V Richardson, M C C Syndicate, G L Moore, 2200m mobile (2yo colts/geldings), 2 May 2021, Ascot Park Raceway 2:39.6
• Stylish Memphis – Wayne Higgs, 2700m mobile (4yo+ mares), 29 Oct 2020, Ascot Park Raceway 3:16.3

Peter Craig

6 October 2021

Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com

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