Harness Briefs

NZ HARNESS NEWS

Trojan sold, staying in NZ

A sizeable deal has been completed on exciting three-year-old pacer Major Trojan, and he is now owned by clients of leading Perth trainer Gary Hall Snr.

Initial plans were for him to transit straight to his new home, but they have changed and he is staying in New Zealand for the time being.

He will compete for his new owners in Thursday night’s first Sires Stakes Series heat at Cambridge, still under the training of Michael Purdon.

Beyond that there are no set plans, though a tilt at the rich final at Addington on New Zealand Cup day is on the agenda, especially with Hall due to be there with his star pacer Chicago Bull.

Hall is due in Auckland in a few weeks’ time, around the same time Purdon and his brother Nathan will return to Canterbury, and it’s possible Hall could take over the training in the final weeks leading up to the Sires Stakes Final.

NZ record on mile night

Consistent Waikato trotter Mortician is in the record books, at least for the time being.

After his win in the first standing start trot held in New Zealand for 50 years at Alexandra Park on Friday night, he has been awarded a new national mark.

The five-year-old son of Monarchy, driven by Peter Ferguson for Ohaupo-based trainers Jason and Megan Teaz, ran 2.03.4 for the mile, more than five seconds quicker than the previous, unofficial mark.

Other national trotting mile record holders are Stent, Sunny Ruby and Cyclone U Bolt.

Promising 3YO sold

Itz Major Look, an impressive maiden winner at Oamaru on September 23, has been sold to Australian interests.

Trainer Mark Jones confirmed the sale of the Art Major three-year-old to clients of Brisbane trainers Chantal Turpin and Peter McMullan.

The pair have previously purchased a number of horses out of Jones’ barn, including star pacer Mattgregor.

Cup favourite returns to action

New Zealand Cup favourite Ultimate Machete will return to the race track at Addington on Friday night, nearly nine months after he last started.

He’ll tackle the Gr.2 $50,000 Canterbury Classic, alongside stablemates Thefixer, Dream About Me and another one having his first start back, Eamon Maguire.

Ultimate Machete sets tongues wagging with a brilliant New Zealand Free For All win as a four-year-old last season, and backed that up with two further Group 1 wins in Perth before going amiss.

• NZ Harness News