The Tasman Room at Auckland Trotting Club’s Alexandra Park headquarters provided the venue for this year’s North Island Awards night, held on Saturday 5 September 2015. This year’s function was sponsored by A Rocknroll Dance, courtesy of Nevele R and Alabar Studs.
As in past years the Auckland Trotting Club sponsored an award and paid for all cadets and junior drivers to attend. This supported up and coming athletes and celebrated the season’s successes.
The evening commenced with pre dinner drinks in the adjoining NZ Trotting Hall of Fame before moving to the Tasman Room for a three course dinner and awards ceremony followed by a live band “The Dozen”. Masters of Ceremonies for this evening of celebration were the well-respected industry media duo of Michael Guerin and Greg O’Connor. Among the major award winners were :
North Island Horses of Year in Pacer Adore Me and trotter Speeding Spur.
The NI Racing Achievement Award went to Barry Purdon – leading horseman for many years and a senior member of the Purdon family. Premiership leading trainer with father Roy for 17 seasons totalling 1,463 wins in partnership plus 122 with Scott Phelan and 747 on his own account including a further 2 seasons as leading trainer to end of 2014/5 season – total training wins of 2,332. In the driving ranks, has amassed 571 victories over past 40 seasons. Has been associated with many outstanding horses including Luxury Liner, Chokin, Mark Hanover, Il Vicolo, Pembrook Benny, Framalda, Diamond Field, Pride of Petite, Mountain Gold, Sole Command, Comedy Lad, Holmes DG, Happy Hazel, Tax Credit, Tight Connection, Reba Lord, Montana Vance, Pacific Flight, Hitchcock, Ginger Man, This Time Franco, Mark Roy, Cheer the Lady, Sky Major to mention just a few.
The NI Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing Award went to husband and wife team of Peter and Wendy Ferguson. Leading Waikato based horseman Peter Ferguson has trained 38 winners over 5 seasons (2010 – 2014) while his impressive driving statistics show 1,860 NZ wins over the past 30 seasons (41 in 2014/5). In the junior drivers ranks he recorded 177 wins, being leading junior for four consecutive years between 1987/8 – 1991/92 : 44, 28, 30 and 44 wins respectively; also placed third in 1986/7. In the senior ranks, his best finishes have been Premiership winner in 2002/3 (104 wins) and 2006/7 (100), second in 1997/8 (99) and 2007/8 (138, Dexter Dunn’s first premiership with 146 victories) and third in 2005/6 (86). He has recorded three 100+ seasonal tallies. Peter represented New Zealand at the 2009 World Drivers Championship in Norway where he placed second to Danish champion Birger Jorgensen.
Among his major race winning drives have been Gold Ace, Easy On The Eye, Cinimod Junior, Kates First, Anvil Gale, Chapel Magic, Electric Kiwi, Elect To Live, Coburg, Falcon Rise, Paris Metro, Mi Muchacho, Tribute, Lizzie Maguire, Running on Faith, Waitfornoone, Arden Banner, Flying Pocketlands. This included two initial 2007 Jewels wins on Lizzie Maguire (2f), Running on Faith (3f),
Wendy trained together with husband Peter for several seasons before taking out her own training licence at start of 2014/5 season. Her nine wins in her own right in 2014/5 included four wins with Westburn Courage over a period of three months late in 2014/5 season. Son Dylan, a junior driver now in his third season has had 23 winning drives to date.
A full listing of winners from the 2015 A Rocknroll Dance North Island Harness Racing Awards follows :
Dunstan North Island Amateur Driver of the Year – CHEREE FINLAY
Premier Horse Transport North Island Groom of the Year – MONIKA RANGER
Other finalists : Zoe Cobb, Riina Maattanen, Paul Murphy
Magness Video Ltd/ Vid-Com Ltd North Island Licence to Train/Owner – Trainer of the Year – DAVID MARSHALL (11 winners in 2014/5 including Unmissuble – 3 and 24 in total to date)
Other finalists : Paul Chalklen, Wendy Ferguson, John Peary, Tim Vince
Mitavite North Island Junior Drivers of the Year – KYLE MARSHALL (19 winners in 2014/5 and 34 overall) AND ANDRE POUTAMA (19 winners and 66 overall)
Other finalists : Ben Butcher, Tony Cameron, Dylan Ferguson
PGG Wrightson North Island 2 year old Colt or Gelding of the Year – SHANDALE (Art Major/Delightful Dale); owner : GA Shand; trainer : MW McKendry; seasonal record : 7 starts, 1 win, 4 placings $533151, 1:59.5 – 2nds Northern Graduate, NZYSS 2YO Open
Other finalists : Mach Time. Max Phactor, Walkinshaw
PGG Wrightson North Island 2 year old Filly of the Year – DREAM ABOUT ME (Bettors Delight/Splendid Dreams); owners : CJ Roberts, Mrs JL Roberts, PG Kenny, Mrs ML Kenny; trainers : M Purdon & Ms NC Rasmussen; seasonal record : 5 starts, 5 wins, $213,332, 1:53.3 (NZ fillies record), Aust 3 starts, 3 wins, $190,540, 1:57.4 – Delightful Lady Classic, NZ Sires Stakes, Harness Jewels, Aust Breeders Crown
Other finalists : Gamma Lady, Killer Queen. Poppy Maguire
Breckon Farms North Island 2 year old Trotter of the Year – HIGH GAIT (Muscles Yankee/Regal Volo); owners/lessees : Breckon Farms Super Seven Syndicate; trainers : M Purdon & Ms NC Rasmussen; seasonal record : 6 starts, 5 wins, 1 placing, $61,941, T2:00.7 (1700mM), Aust 3 starts, 3 wins, $89,510, T2:02.8 – NZ Trotting Stakes, NZ Sires Stakes, Redwood Classic, Aust Breeders Crown
Other finalists : Cyclone Chief, Gershwin, Royal Willie
Breckon Farms North Island 3 year old Trotter of the Year – SPEEDING SPUR (Pegasus Spur/Dellas Speed); owners/lessees : Woodlands Partnership Syndicate, Kieran Reid, Andy Ellis, RJ Taylor, D Hewett; trainers : JW & JI Dickie; seasonal record : 13 starts, 10 wins, 2 placings, $218,296, T2:01.1 (2600mM), Aust 3 starts, 3 wins, $94.900, T2:00.7 – GN/NZ Trotting Derbies, NZ Sires Stakes, NZ Yearling Sales series, Victorian Trotters Derby, Aust Breeders Crown
Speeding Spur
Other finalists : Charming Lavra, Rock Tonight, Yagunnakissmeornot
Crombie Lockwood Bloodstock North Island 3 year old Colt or Gelding of the Year – ??? HAVE FAITH IN ME (Bettors Delight/Scuse Me); owners : DM Dunford, MD Dunford; trainers : M Purdon & Ms NC Rasmussen; seasonal record : 11 starts, 7 wins, 1 placing, $544,729, 1:52.5 – NZ Sires Stakes, NZ Yearling Sales series, Flying Stakes, GN/NZ Derbies, Harness Jewels
Other finalists : Bettor Spirits, Chachingchaching, Hughie Green, Hug The Wind
Crombie Lockwood Bloodstock North Island 3 year old Filly of the Year – THE ORANGE AGENT (American Ideal/Lady Fingers); owners : Mrs PC Green, JP Green, Mrs ME Green, PC Bult; trainer : B Hughes; seasonal record : 15 starts, 12 wins, 1 placing, $340,498, 1:51.1 (NZ fillies/mares record; Australasian 3yo filly record), Aust 2 starts, 2 wins, $117,370, 1:54.4 – Ladyship Stakes, GN Oaks, Nevele R Fillies, Harness Jewels Aust Breeders Crown
Other finalists : Better B Amazed, Linda Lovegrace, Walk Of Fame
Garrards Horse and Hound North Island Owner of the Year – JOHN, TRISH AND MOIRA GREEN AND PETER BOLT (owners of The Orange Agent)
Other finalists : Breckon Bloodstock Ltd; Dennis and Mark Dunford; Charles Roberts and Paul and Mary Kenny; Woodlands Stud Ltd
Caduceus Club North Island Filly/Mare of the Year – THE ORANGE AGENT
The Orange Agent
Other finalists : Adore Me, Dream About Me, Lancewood Lizzie
Hygain North Island Breeder of the Year – CHARLES ROBERTS (Bettors Delight, Dream About Me, Adore Me, Christen Me)
Other finalists : Alabar; Breckon Farms Ltd; John, Trish and Moira Green and Peter Bolt;
IRT North Island Driver of the Year – ZAC BUTCHER (62 winners and 459 overall in NZ). Major Australian wins last season with Sky Major including Chariots of Fire. Third leading NI driver on wins 2014/5
Other finalists : David Butcher, Tony Herlihy, Maurice McKendry, Scott Phelan
Zac Butcher, post race win, Menangle 21 Feb 2015 : Sky Major, Paleface Adios Stakes
Veterinary Associates Equine and Farm North Island Trainer of the Year – BRIAN HUGHES (28 wins and 463 overall in number of partnerships and on own account). Major seasonal victories with The Orange Agent
Other finalists : John and Joshua Dickie, Tony Herlihy, Barry Purdon, Steve Telfer and Chris Garlick
Equine Veterinary Services North Island Broodmare of the Year – SPLENDID DREAMS (dam of Christen Me, Dream About Me, Hands Christian, Splendid Deal/dam of Maxim, Splendour)
Other finalists : Della’s Speed, Lady Fingers, Scuse Me,
Woodlands Stud North Island Stallion of the Year – BETTORS DELIGHT (174 Winners, 365 wins, $6,007,862)
Other finalists : American Ideal, Mach Three, Majestic Son, Pegasus Spur
Harness Racing New Zealand North Island Trotter of the Year – SPEEDING SPUR
Other finalists : Al Bundy, Mums Pride, Prime Power, San Diego Love,
Auckland Trotting Club North Island Aged Pacer of the Year – ADORE ME 2014/5 seasonal stats : NZ 8 starts, 5 wins, 2 placings, $598,232, 1:51.6, Aust 4 starts, 2 wins, 1 placing A$190,263, 1:47.7 (Australasian all comers record) – Ashburton Flying Stakes, NZ Cup, GN Breeders Stakes, Queen of Hearts, Waikato Flying Mile, Brian Hancock Cup, Ladyship Mile, 2nd Auckland Cup/NZFFA, 3rd Victoria Cup, 2015 Australasian Grand Circuit Pacing Runner Up
Other finalists : Lancewood Lizzie, Ohoka Punter, Sky Major, Te Kawau
Sir Lincoln at Lincoln Farms North Island Racing Achievement Award – BARRY PURDON
A Rocknroll Dance/Alabar/Nevele R Stud North Island Award for Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing – PETER AND WENDY FERGUSSON
Peter Craig
6 September 2015
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
