By Tayler Strong
Eamon Maguire was named Otago Harness Horse of the Year for the 2016-17 season at a function at Forbury Park raceway in Dunedin on Saturday night.
The 3yr-old pacer Eamon Maguire won seven races and $81,455 in stakes during the season. His wins included the Southern Supremacy Stakes Final at Invercargill. He finished third in the New Zealand Derby.
“He is ready to resume racing if we can find our way around the rating system,’’ said his trainer Graeme Anderson, who races the Art Major – Kim Maguire gelding with Brian Sceats, Ray Chalkin, Stephen Pulley, Tony Gow and Pauline Gillan.
Eamon Maguire, rated 90, has not raced since he finished seventh in the Harness Jewels in June.
Motu Time To Shine, Hopes And Dreams and Titan Banner, stablemates of Eamon Maguire, also took awards in the pacing section. Titan Banner was the 2016 Otago Horse of the Year.
Phil Williamson took the 2017 trainer award and his stable scooped the pool in the trotting section with Majestic Man, Muscle Moment, Bobbins, Zoey’s Gift, Blazing Under Fire, Alderbeck and Monty Python.
Lance Justice, the Victoria trainer, was an entertaining guest speaker on Saturday night when interviewed by master of ceremonies, Jess Smith. His visit was arranged by Vet Equine Otago (principal Peter Gillespie) who sponsored the awards function.
The graphics provided on screen by Matt Smith complemented the presentation.
Jonny Turner, racing writer for the Otago Daily Times, and judge of the awards, displayed talent as auctioneer when disposing of service fees to Sir Lincoln and Highview Tommy, donated by Alabar and Woodlands Stud respectively.
The Otago awards:
Trotters
2yo colt/gelding: Majestic Man
3yo colt/ gelding: Muscle Moment
3yo filly: Zoey’s Gift
4yo entire/gelding: Blazing Under Fire
4yo mare: Alderbeck
5yo + mare: Bobbins
5yo+ entire/gelding: Monty Python
Pacers
3yo colt/gelding: Eamon Maguire
3yo filly: Motu Time To Shine
4yo entire/gelding: Fiery Ferret
4yo mare: Hopes And Dreams
5yo+ mare: Break Dance
5yo+ entire/gelding: Titan Banner
Trainer: Phil Williamson
Special award 500 wins: Phil Williamson
UDR achievement: Graeme Anderson
Driver: Matthew Wiliamson
Junior driver: Rory McIlwrick
Broodmare excellence: Bethany (dam of Lazarus)
Breeder: Tuapeka Lodge (Dan and Peter Cummings and Julie Davie)
Otago-owned horse: Heaven Rocks
Young achiever: Rory McIlwrick
Significant achievement: Bob Mason (Roxburgh club), Dave Hay (paramedic), Tayler Strong (journalist)
Horse of the Year: Eamon Maguire
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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