NZ HARNESS NEWS
Kiwis draw better
Kiwi drivers Dexter Dunn and Mark Purdon had little luck in the opening round of the World Drivers Championship, but have drawn better chances in the second round at Mohawk Downs in Ontario today (Tuesday).
Dunn had one second placing in the first round for 29 points and is well behind American leader Marcus Miller (57), while Purdon copped a series of average horses and is on 21.
Dunn drives 12-1 chance Windsong Magic in the opening heat tomorrow, but the colourfully-named Bugger Bruiser (3-1) is highly rated in the second heat for the defending WDC champion after drawing two.
LMC Mass Oak (6-1) is seen as a top-three chance for Dunn in the last heat.
Purdon steers in-form Vics Royal Lady (10-1) from the two slot in the opening heat and On Golden Ponder (10-1) has the ace draw in the second heat.
Miss Coco Luck (9-2) in the third heat is rated Purdon’s best winning chances, despite a second-row draw, while Neils Golden Girl (12-1) is tipped as a strong place hope in the last heat.
Smiling Shard leaves first winner in NSW
Former star NZ pacer Smiling Shard (p2, 1:53.7) has sired a two-year-old winner from just his second individual starter to race in Australia.
Smiling Sam, from a seven-win Blissful Hall mare in Sixteen Carat (1:55.5), improved on a first-up fourth to lead throughout from the ace at Parkes, on Sunday.
Trained by Gemma Hewitt and driven by Matt Rue, he won by six metres in a 2:01.8 rate for the 2040m, quickening over his last 800m in 59.3s and his final 400m in 29.4s.
From small initial crops, Smiling Shard has 66 live foals in Australia.
During his race career, Smiling Shard was a stand-out young track performer for West Melton trainer Cran Dalgety.
His 1:53.7 mile to win the Harness Jewels 2YO Emerald was the fastest by a male pacer in NZ at the time. The 2009 NZ 2YO Pacer of the Year also won the Australasian Breeders Crown 2YO colts and geldings final.
The Grinfromeartoear-Sly Shard entire raced 50 times for 17 wins and 22 placings, earning $1,178,793.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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