By Matt Markham
DEATH OF THE DUBBO DESTROYER
Cult pacer, Karloo Mick died last week. The Barry Lew trained pacer who captured the hearts of many harness fans, including here in New Zealand when he came to contest the New Zealand Trotting Cup in 2009, was aged 16. Karloo Mick raced in all the major races and even came close to winning a Miracle Mile in 2011 when finishing second to Smoken Up. He won an Inter Dominion Consolation at Globe Derby in 2007 and two years later finished third in an Inter Dominion Final behind the likes of Mr Feelgood and Blacks A Fake. While in New Zealand he won the Ashburton Flying Stakes.
START DREAMING AGAIN
Smart North Island mare, Start Dreaming began her return to the track with a workout victory at Pukekohe on Saturday. The Barry Purdon trained mare beat off three rivals, including Hughie Green to win the heat with Purdon in the sulky. A winner of six races and more than $150,000 in stakes, the daughter of American Ideal was sidelined after racing in Australia back at the end of February and hasn’t been sighted since.
ROCKER BAND HANNON BOUND
Harness Jewels winning mare, Rocker Band, will resume when she lines up in Sunday’s Hannon Memorial at Oamaru. The Mark Jones trained mare isn’t nominated for the New Zealand Trotting Cup but is contesting the Road to the Cup feature due to a lack of other suitable races for her. Jones will drive the mare himself this week with regular driver, Sam Ottley currently holidaying in Australia. Rocker Band is joined in the Hannon nominations by Cup big names; Franco Ledger, Mossdale Conner and Tiger Tara.
DIDJAMAKEM BOLT PROGRESSING
Forgotten All Stars pacer Didjamakem Bolt is ticking along quietly behind the scenes at Rolleston with a view to being in the thick of the action come November. The massive pacer with the big motor has been riddled with injuries throughout his career but the ability has always been there. Incidentally he hasn’t raced since winning on Show Day last year.
LONG WAIT OVER FOR ANNIE
It took 47 starts, but the wait is finally over for Annie Fitz. The Ross Wilson trained pacer got the elusive win at Winton on Sunday when she was victorious in the hands of Criag Ferguson. Annie Fitz’ 46 previous starts had yielded 12 placings and plenty of promise of success, but until Sunday they had come up short. She was Ferguson’s first win for the season as he looks to make a strong shot in his first season in the open ranks.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
