By Matt Markham
2YO LOW FLIES IN AMERICA
Somebeachsomewhere freshman colt, Downbytheseaside, has left a few tongues wagging this week after he broke the world record for a two-year-old when pacing 1:50 over the weekend. Trained by Brian Brown and driven by Chris Page the imposing colt paced his four quarters in 26,28, 27 and then home 28 to win by four and a half lengths. Incidentally, the record Downbytheseaside broke was held by a stablemate in Spider Man Hanover who broke the record in the exact same race 12 months prior.
BROWN CLOSING IN ON 500 WINS
Popular Southland horseman, Murray Brown is now within striking distance of 500 career training wins after Northview Dave’s victory at Invercargill. One of Southland’s leading trainers for many years, Brown has been a consistent performer each season for almost the past three decades. Brown’s first winner came in September of 1984 when Mike Adios won at Invercargill.
PADDOCK FOR UNBEATEN THREE-YEAR-OLD
A tilt at the New Zealand Derby next year is on the radar for unbeaten pace Forgotten Highway. The Mitchell Kerr trained pacer made it two from two at Methven on Saturday, keeping his trainers’ unbeaten solo training career in tact at the same time. Kerr is of the belief that his star is better suited to long distance racing and is going to be a better horse with time on his side so he’s elected to miss the the Sires’ Stakes with a view to April’s Derby.
BIG POOLS ON OFFER THIS WEEK
There’s plenty of bonus money on offer this weekend to keep punters on their toes. Pick 6 Pools on Thursday night at Waikato and then on Friday night at Addington are both guaranteed to $150,000 after not being struck last week. Sunday’s Pick6 out at Rangiora is also in for a boost with a guaranteed pool of $30,000.
MARFISI TO LAUNCH TRAINING CAREER
He’s been lauded as one of the key parts of the success of New Zealand’s leading harness racing stables but this week Duane Marfisi is out on his own. The former Ontario based horseman, who is now part of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen’s team will line up Cullenmore in the first at Addington on Friday night. No stranger to success as a trainer, Marfisi trained Dali to win the Woodrow Wilson back in his home country – setting a world record for a two-year-old in the process.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
