Harness Briefs – 23rd Marc

NZ HARNESS NEWS

Master Moonlite sold to Craven

Master Moonlite has been scratched from the Vero Flying Stakes at Addington tonight following confirmation this morning of a sale to Victorian interests.

“It was a bit of a difficult one but it’s the right time for us to sell as he’ll be four in a few months’ time and it’s an opportune time to let him go,” said trainer Cran Dalgety.

“I felt a bit sorry for the club having to pull him out but we can still win it with Pat’s Delight,” he said.

Master Moonlite has been sold by Ashburton agent Peter Larkin to clients of young Terang trainer Mattie Craven.

“I understand they want to get him over there find a few easy kills, then set him for the Breeders Crown in August,” said Dalgety.

Master Moonlite campaigned in the early stages of his race career in last year’s Breeders Crown 2YO colts and geldings series, winning a heat, running third in a semi-final and going unplaced in the final.

Century for Anderson

Junior driver Matt Anderson continued his high-flying season by winning his 100^th race in New Zealand at Forbury Park on Thursday night.

Anderson produced the kind of tactically aggressive drive that has put him at the top of the national junior drivers’ premiership to win with The Doorman.

The Brad Williamson-trained pacer surged to the lead with a lap to go in the race before hanging on for a half-length victory.

The victory extended Anderson’s lead in the national junior drivers ranks over Ben Butcher to six wins.

The Doorman’s win also helped his Oamaru trainer continue the brilliant start he has made to his training career.

Williamson has produced seven wins and 11 placings from 41 starts in his rookie season.

Cold sees Sheriff scratched from Flying Stakes

The scratching of Sheriff from Friday night’s Flying Stakes at Addington does not spell the end of the classy pacer’s New Zealand Derby hopes.

The Nigel McGrath-trained three-year-old has been withdrawn from the $50,000 Group 2 feature after being displaying a nasal discharge earlier this week.

Sheriff is expected to be back at the races by next weekend and will compete against older horses to prepare for the New Zealand Derby on April 6.

Sheriff is the $5.50 favourite for the Addington Classic ahead of tonight’s traditional lead up race.

Addington for Eamon Maguire

Otago’s reigning horse of the year, Eamon Maguire, has Addington’s Easter Cup carnival on his agenda.

The Graeme Anderson-trained four-year-old was spelled after making a below par start to the season by his exceptionally high standards.

Eamon Maguire is back in work and feeling back to his best and set to resurrect his four-year-old campaign.

Anderson is eyeing an undercard event on Easter Cup night as a possible starting point for the horse’s return to racing.

The trainer produced a treble of winners on his home track at Forbury Park on Thursday night.

Bettor Sensation, Linton Shard and Smooth Mara all scored with driver Dexter Dunn in Anderson’s colours.

All three horses had come to Anderson after being campaigned by Canterbury trainers.

• NZ Harness News