The 2018/9 season annual awards ceremony dinner was held on Saturday 28 September 2018 at Addington Raceway, Christchurch coinciding with the annual Harness Racing Conference held this year in Christchurch. The awards evening recognised the outstanding performances and performers of the 2018/9 season.
The evening consisted of a three course meal, drinks and entertainment with the award ceremonies MC being Michael Guerin. An audience of close to 400 were in attendance. An After Party with a DJ and light supper followed.
The proceedings were again dominated this year by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen trained horses. Spankem was a well merited Pacer and Harness Horse of the Year.
Season highlights were the performances of pacers Spankem, Ultimate Sniper, Sweet On Me, One Change, Thefixer and Dream About Me all from the Purdon/Rasmussen stable plus Belle Of Montana, together with trotting’s class acts in Sundees Son, Speeding Spur and three year filly Tickle Me Pink’s victories the most notable. The season ending Group One Harness Jewels day at Addington in early June 2018 continued to be a fine advertisement for harness racing and included another five Jewels successes for Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.
Congratulations to all the award winners on the night. A listing follows with applicable seasonal details (stats to 31 July 2019) :
PJ & GJ Kennard 2YO Pacing Filly : SWEET ON ME (Sweet Lou/Adore Me); owners Charles Roberts, Paul and Mary Kenny; trainers : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : seven starts, six wins, one placing, $246,960, 1:55.3 (1700mM), Delightful Lady Fillies Classic, NZSS – 2f final, Harness Jewels 2yo Diamond
Other contenders : Amazing Dream, Spellbound, Tiffany Rose
Emblems NZ 2YO Pacing Colt or Gelding : ONE CHANGE (Bettors Delight/Changedown); owners : Allstars Racing Stables Ltd, Mike Woodlock, Trevor Casey; trainers : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : five starts, five wins, $287,707, 1:53.4 (1980mM), NZYSS 2yo final, NZYSS – 2c, Welcome Stakes, Harness Jewels Emerald; NZR 1980mM (2yo colt or gelding), 2:19.6
Other contenders : Flying Even Bettor, Smooth Deal, Virgil
Standardbreds Make Awesome Pets 2YO Trotting Filly : TAILORED ELEGANCE (Muscle Hill/Classic Armbro); owners : Breckon Farms – The Savvy Six Syndicate; trainers : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : five starts, one win, two placings, $35,621, T2:00.5 (1980mM), NZSS – 2T, 3rd NZ Trotting Stakes; NZR 1980mM (2yo fillies), T2:28.4
Other contenders : Cheeky Babe, Kahress, Tarukenga
Clarkson Signs 2YO Trotting Colt or Gelding : BOLT FOR BRILLIANCE (Muscle Hill/Toomuch To Do); owners : Suzanne Herlihy, D I Donaldson, P J Hailes, S H Mathews; trainer : Tony Herlihy; seasonal record : NZ – four starts, one win, one placing, T2:02.0, $66,964, Jewels Ruby; second Cambridge Trotting Stakes
Other contenders : Cracker Hill, Muscle Mountain, Ultimate Stride
Vincent 3YO Pacing Filly : BELLE OF MONTANA (Bettors Delight/Lady Cullen); owner : Montana Park Pty Ltd; trainer : Barry Purdon; NZ seasonal record : ten starts, seven wins, two placings, $312,075, 1:54.1 (1980Mm); Ladyship Stakes, NZSS – 3f, Nevele R Fillies, Harness Jewels Diamond; AUS two starts, two wins, $99,180, 1:54.9 (2240mM), VIC Oaks, heat/final; NZR (fillies/mares), 1980mM, 2:20.5
Other contenders : Best Western, Havtime, Princess Tiffany
Garrards Horse & Hound 3YO Pacing Colt or Gelding : ULTIMATE SNIPER (Bettors Delight/Reality Check); owners : Glenys Kennard, Phil Kennard, Gavin Douglas, Kevin Riseley, Phil Creighton, Margaret Creighton; trainers : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : ten starts, eight wins, one placing, $493,692, 1:52.9 (1980mM); NZSS 3yo open, Alabar Classic, NZYSS – 3c, GN/NZ Derby,; NZR (3yo colt or gelding/open), 1980mM 2:19.0; Pacing Stake earner of year in NZ
Other contenders : Gran Chico, Jesse Duke, Memphis Tennessee
Inkwise 3YO Trotting Filly : TICKLE ME PINK (Muscle Hill/Luby Ann); owners/lessees : Breckon Farms – The Perfect Ten Syndicate; trainer : Tony Herlihy; NZ seasonal record : four starts, four wins, $120,491, T2:01.6 (1980mM), NZ Trotting Oaks, NZSS – 3T, Harness Jewels Ruby; AUS two starts, one placing, A$2,500
Other contenders : Cheerful, Overzealous, Swiss Miss
IRT 3YO Trotting Colt or Gelding :
LOTAMUSCLE (Muscle Hill/Lotalov); owners : M P Smith, Mrs V E Smith, S J Lissington, Mrs L M Lissington; trainer : Paul Nairn; seasonal record : fifteen starts, three wins, four placings $100,462, T1:58.9, NZ Trotters Derby, Hambletonian
Other contenders : Enhance Your Calm, Get Lucky, Tricky Ric
Breckon Farms 4YO Pacing Mare : ELLE MAC (Bettors Delight/Goodlookinggirl); owner : Breckon Farms Ltd (raced by Jean Feiss); trainer : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : sixteen starts, three wins, six placings, $135,764, 1:51.6 (1700mM), Harness Jewels Diamond, seconds Queen Of Hearts, GN Breeders Stakes; NZR’s 1700mM (mares/all comers), 1:57.9, 1980mM (mares) 2:21.7
Other contenders : Dibaba, Divina Bellezza, I’mallaboutthebase
Brandwear 4YO Pacing Entire or Gelding : SPANKEM (Bettors Delight/Reality Check); owners : Glenys Kennard, Phil Kennard, Gavin Douglas, Kevin Riseley, Phil Creighton, Margaret Creighton; trainers : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; NZ seasonal record : seven NZ starts, three wins, two placings, $145,550, 1:53.4, Kaikoura Cup, Taylor Mile, NZ Messenger; AUS eight starts, five wins, two placings $692,900, 1:47.7, Miracle Mile, Canadian Club Sprint (Cordina), two ID heats/fourth final, second VIC Bonzana
Other contenders : Ashley Locaz, Henry Hubert, Turn it Up
Dyer Decorating 4YO Trotting Mare : KENNYS DREAM (Dream Vacation/One Under Kenny); owner : Phil Williamson; trainer : Tony Herlihy; seasonal record : eight starts, four wins, two placings, all at Alexandra Park, $57,250, T2:03.2 (2200mM)
Other contenders : Miss Blissful, Show Gait, Zsa Zoe
The Commodore Hotel 4YO Trotting Entire or Gelding : SUNDEES SON (Majestic Son/Stardon); owners Colin and Nancy Hair; trainer : Robert Dunn; seasonal record : thirteen starts, eight wins, one placing, $245,664, T1:58.0 (1980mM), ANZAC/Rowe Cups, Harness Jewels Ruby, Australian Grand Circuit Trotting Champion, Stake earning Trotter of Year in NZ
Other contenders : Kings Landing, Majestic Man, Winterfell
Hanley Formula 5YO and older Pacing Mare : DREAM ABOUT ME (Bettors Delight/Splendid Dreams), owners : Charles Roberts, Estate June Roberts, Paul Kenny, Mary Kenny; trainer : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : twelve NZ starts, five wins, five placings $240,032, 1:57.2 (2200mM), Hannon Memorial, Canterbury Classic, GN Breeders Stakes, Queen of Hearts, NZ Breeders Stakes; two AUS starts, one win, one placing, $127,500, 1:50.7, NSW Ladyship Mile; seconds Ashburton Flying Stakes, Robin Dundee Stakes; thirds Maurice Holmes Vase, NZ Cup; fourth NZ Premier Mares C/S; 2018/9 Addington Mare of Year
Other contenders : Enchantee, Mossdale Rose, Step Up
Airpark Canterbury 5YO and older Pacing Entire or Gelding : THEFIXER (Bettors Delight/Tosi Girl); owners : Glenys Kennard, Phil Kennard, Pauline Gillan, Ray Fleetwood, John Magness; trainers : Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen; seasonal record : nine NZ starts, four wins, four placings, $469,254, 1:57.5 (2600mSS); AUS five starts, two wins, one placing, A$281,400, 1:50.7; NZ Cup, National Hcp, Maurice Holmes Vase, Ballarat Cup, Miracle Mile prelude/second final; seconds Superstars, Rangiora Classic; thirds New Brighton/Easter Cups, NZR (4YO+/all comer horses and geldings) 2600m stand, 3:10.0
Other contenders : Crux Bromac, Jacks Legend, Star Galleria
Trackside NZ 5YO and older Trotting Mare : DESTINY JONES (The Pres/Galleons Destiny); owners : Jan Gould, Dean Hunter, K Poynter; trainer : Dean Hunter; seasonal record : eighteen starts, two wins, five placings, $59,834, T2:01.3 (2600mM), Ordeal Cup, Southern Lights Trot
Other contenders : Bonnie Highlander, Harriet Of Mot, Ruthless Kayla
Majestic Horse Floats 5YO and older Trotting Entire or Gelding : SPEEDING SPUR (Pegasus Spur/Dellas Speed); owners/lessees : Woodlands partnership Syndicate, Kieran Read, Andy Ellis, Dick Taylor, Dave Hewett; trainers : John and Josh Dickie; seasonal record : seven NZ, three wins, three placings, $180,450, T2:02.5 (2600mM), one unplaced AUS start, A$4,500; Rowe Cup, NZ Trotting Championship
Other contenders : Marcoola, Massive Metro, Lemond
HRNZ Outstanding Contribution to Life After Racing – JULIE DEFILIPPI (refer to Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing Award below)
The Informant Moment of Season : OVERZEALOUS – comeback after accident involving Margo Nyhan and Peter Davis
The Breeders Pacing Broodmare of Year : REALITY CHECK (family of Bonnie Belle, N5; dam of Ultimate Sniper, Major Reality, Ultimate Machete), bred by Father Dan and estate of John Cummings, Tuapeka Lodge fame; owned by Graeme and Katrina Walsh
Other contenders : Crushem, Star of Venue, Tosti Girl,
The Breeders Trotting Broodmare of Year : DELLAS SPEED (family of Medio, U1; dam of Speeding Spur, Meyer Lansky, Bon Ton Cherie, Ellas Speed, Jagermeister), bred by National Bloodstock Corporation; owned by Woodlands Stud Ltd
Other contenders : Arabess, One Over Kenny, Stardon
The Breeders Breeder of Year : CHARLES ROBERTS (Dream About Me, Sweet On Me, Only Me, Ultimate me etc)
Other contenders : Breckon Farms, Graeme and Katrina Walsh, Woodlands Stud
Auckland Trotting Club Pacing Stallion of Year : BETTORS DELIGHT (188 winners, 369 wins, $76407,197)
Other contenders : American Ideal, Art Major, Mach Three
Gavelhouse Trotting Stallion of Year : MAJESTIC SON (72 winners, 135 wins, $1,823,030)
Other contenders : Muscle Hill, Pegasus Spur, Sundon
Airpark Canterbury & Addington Owners Pass Owner of Year : JEAN FEISS (Elle Mac, Self Assured, Amazing Dream, Virgil, Smooth Deal, Copperfield etc)
Other contenders : Trevor Casey, Jean Feiss, Phil and Glenys Kennard
Harness Racing New Zealand Education & Training Leading Driver of Year : BLAIR ORANGE (218 wins, $2,063,090, UDR : .3348)
Cruickshank Leading Junior Driver of Year – UDR : BEN HOPE (39 wins from 226 starts, UDR : .2502)
Southern Harness Racing Leading Junior Driver : JOHN MORRISON (63 wins, $573,541, UDR : .1632)
Catch Driver Cadet of Year : KALEB BUBLITZ (Northern Region)
Other finalists: Cameron Kirkwood (Canterbury), Alana Cameron (Canterbury) runner up, Oliver Kite (Southland)
Lone Star Spitfire Leading Trainer of Year : MARK PURDON & NATALIE RASMUSSEN (115 wins, $4,516,304, UDR : .4828)
Woodlands Stud Pacer of Year : SPANKEM
What the Hill Trotter of Year : SUNDEES SON
TAB Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing – COLIN AND JULIE DEFILIPPI
This year’s award was made to prominent Canterbury training couple Colin and Julie DeFilippi.
From a prominent harness racing family, horseman father RH (Rod) DeFilippi, brother Michael (Mike)/former prominent trainer (304 wins)/driver (1,063 wins,) harness racing has played the major part in Colin’s life (aside from brief three months part time at University).
Wife Julie, a daughter of highly-respected trainer and mentor, Bill Denton, has officially been part of the training partnership with Colin since the 1999/2000 season. A fan of all things equestrian, she began riding as a ten year old. She started began showing Standardbred horses around a dozen years ago to assist in preserving them following the completion of their racing careers (Life After Racing). Naturally she has tasted considerable success undertaking this activity at various A&P Shows. Julie is the NZ Standardbred Breeders Association Life After Racing Ambassador for Riding and Showing (In hand and Riding) where she liaises with North and South Island standardbred riding associations, Breeders, Horse of the Year organisers and Royal Agricultural Society on standardbred showing and rising matters. She is also a qualified RAS judge.
Son Darren (junior driver with 14 wins from 263 starts) tragically lost his life in a motor vehicle accident following 1995 Geraldine meeting. His life is remembered each year in the eagerly sought after junior drivers Darren DeFilippi Memorial Trot held each July at Addington and warmly supported by the DeFilippi family. Other siblings Mandy and Brad are also involved in the family business.
Colin DeFilippi was licensed as a professional horseman (driver) for matinees and trials in early 1972 when working for his father. Granted a probationary (junior) driver’s licence at the beginning of 1974/5 season, he recorded eleven wins with his first win coming in the Members Hcp on Brother Eden at Greymouth on 23 October 1974 (trained by father Rod). With considerable early success in the probationary ranks, this culminated in his finishing third in both 1974/5 ((11 winning drives) and 1976/7 (17 wins) seasons.
Becoming a trainer in 1975/6 whilst still a probationary driver, initially on his own until 1999/2000 season, he had 277/54 trotting winners for stakes of $1.587m and a seasons best of 30 training successes in 1985/6 finishing equal third on the premiership with John Butcher. Training at Broadfield together with wife Julie from 1999/2000 season, he has had a further 268/103 trotting winners for stakes of $3.403m, with seasonal bests of 20 in both 2001/1 and 2001/2 (combined totals of 545 wins, stakes of $4.990m).
Whilst always been based in Canterbury, DeFilippi spent a short stint of six months training in the North Island in 1987 where he was stable driver for Kenwood Stud Ltd (and their syndicates) and trainer Charlie Hunter. Among many junior drivers attached to his stable have been Ricky Alfeld, Craig Thornley, Darren DeFilippi, Risa Tanaka, Katie Cox, Samantha Ottley and Loren Lester.
Stand out horses driven and/or trained by Colin DeFilippi :
- Training with wife and driving winner of NZ Cup (2001 Kyms Girl) and driving Auckland Cup winner (Burlington Bertie) – the first couple to rain a NZ Cup winner and Julie DeFilippi is only second woman to train a NZ Cup winner (first being Lorraine Nolan, Yulestar 2000)
- Drove only three year old to record six major Australasian Derbies : Courage Under Fire (GN/NZ, NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Australian Derbies – 1998/9) and to 24 consecutive victories (2yo – 4yo) for trainer Bruce Negus
- Trainer and driver of 2014/5 Australasian Trotting Masters (Grand Circuit) Trotting champion/NZ Trotter of Year : Stent
- Our Mana was his first major training success, he also drove him in nineteen of his twenty race wins (brother Mike handled in Our Man’s first winning run)
Other career highlights include :
- Drivers Premiership 2005/2006 (121 wins); second in 1983/4 to Peter Wolfenden
- Top ten (or better) position on Drivers Premiership for 24 seasons
- Twice driven winners of in excess of $1m in a season – 1998/9 $1,101,309; 2005/6 $1,022,285
- Fifth NZ driver to achieve 2,000 driving successes (2,022 currently)
- Driven winners of in excess of $18m in stakes
- Driven over twenty Group One winners
- Driven five winners on programme on three occasions : Oamaru 12 May 1979, Westport 28 December 1983, Banks Peninsula 2 October 2005
- Winner NZ Drivers Championship in 1983 and 1984 (placed on number of other occasions)
- Second 2007 World Drivers Championships held jointly between Australia and New Zealand including three winning drives in New Zealand (three points adrift of winner Belgian Christophe Martens)
- Australian successes include – 20 wins from 50 starts
- Member of both NZ Trotting Hall of Fame and Addington Harness Hall Of Fame
NZ Bloodstock Standardbred Horse of Year : SPANKEM
Peter Craig
30 September 2019
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
