NZ HARNESS NEWS
Being thousands of kilometres away did not take away the thrill owner and administrator Colin Hair got from collecting the major prize at the Canterbury Harness Racing Awards.
Canterbury’s unique take on provincial harness racing awards were held in front of a bumper crowd at Addington on Saturday night.
Hair, a HRNZ board member, was rewarded for his long service to the industry by receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Canterbury Harness Racing Award.
He was unable to collect his award on the night as he is holidaying in Fiji.
Hair, who breeds and races trotters like current star Sundees Son, was given hints from award organisers that he should attend the awards, but his holiday was already booked.
Not being able to attend only made receiving the award more of a shock, he said.
“It was totally unexpected, I feel very humble really,” Hair said.
“The organisers had got in touch with my partner, Nancy, and suggested we buy tickets for the event, but our holiday was already booked.”
Hair represents the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders’ Association on the HNRZ Board.
HRNZ’s Communications and Ownership Coordinator, Jess Smith, was awarded the Female Racing Achievement Award on a good night for the sport’s governing body.
Sixteen-year-old Sam Thornley, who has a career in the industry in his sights, won the evening’s Rising Star Award.
Thornley is eagerly awaiting his chance to step up from the Kidz Kartz ranks to become a junior driver.
He won this year’s edition of the Kidz Kartz Rising Stars Drivers Series at Cambridge.
Michael House’s incredible inter-island season was recognised when he took out the evening’s trainer’s award.
House’s highly successful raids on the Manawatu saw him rack up 57 training wins last term – nearly double his previous best tally of 30.
John Morrison’s 20-win season saw him crowned Canterbury Junior Driver of the Year.
Bizarrely, there was no main driving award handed out.
Leviathan owner Trevor Casey, whose racing team was headed by Lazarus last season, was named Owner of the Year.
Star trotter Temporale helped Graeme and Bev Hulston take out the breeder of the year title.
Winners
Trotting Owner of the Year: Allan & Ian Neumann
Pacing Breeder of the Year: Spreydon Lodge.
Junior Drivers Award: John Morrison
Pacing Owner of the Year: Chrissie Dalgety
Broodmare of the Year: Jen Marie
Owner of the Year: Trevor Casey
Trotting Breeder of the Year: Graeme & Bev Hulston
Trainers Award: Michael House
Trotting Broodmare of the Year: Ten To One
Rising Star: Sam Thornley
Female Racing Achievement Award: Jess Smith
Outstanding Contribution to Canterbury Harness Racing: Colin Hair
Merit awards for pacers:
2yo Filly – Havtime
2yo Colt – A Bettor Act
3yo Filly – Bettor Joy
3yo Colt – Sheriff
4yo & Older Gelding – A G’s White Socks
Merit awards for trotters:
2yo Colt – One Apollo
3yo Filly – Show Gait
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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