Dexter’s dream run, Tyron Eros’ new record and Creatine’s retirement all feature in this week’s News Briefs.
Dexter tops $10m in stakes
What a time of it Dexter Dunn is having right now. The former 10-time Kiwi champion is now the second highest earning driver in North America, with 237 wins and $10.69m in stakes for 2024. Only Yannick Gingras (237 wins and $10.8m) is ahead of him. Dunn, a four time North American Driver of the Year, has been in stellar form of late. At the weekend he added the Mohawk Million to his list of big time successes. Not only did he win the feature at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Ontario but Maryland recorded a track and Canadian record of 1:52.6. It was the son of Chapter Seven’s fourth win in seven starts. Just days earlier Dunn finished second in America’s great race, the Little Brown Jug at Delaware in Ohio. Driving Mirage Hanover they finished second behind Australian Todd McCarthy and Captain Albano. The Captaintreacherous three-year-old sprinted home in 27.4 to score by three lengths in 1:50.2. It was McCarthy’s first win in the famous race and Captain Albano’s 15th in 22 career starts. A $150,000 purchase as a yearling his earnings now exceed $1.2m.
NZ record for Tyron Eros
Tyron Eros eclipsed the feats of even reigning Renwick Farms Dominion Trot champion Oscar Bonavena when winning at Addington on Friday night. The Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained three-year-old started off 20 metres before circling them five wide and going on to win by half a neck in a time adjusted 3:17.8 for the 2600 metres. That bettered Oscar Bonavena’s 3YO record for the colts and geldings (stand) of 3:18.1 set in May 2019, at Addington. Tyron Eros has now won five times from just nine starts and is being seen as a massive threat in the first ever $500,000 THE ASCENT slot race at Addington on Show Day, November 15.
Smokin Bandar retired
Striking trotter Smokin Bandar has run his last race. The eight-year-old grey and 2023 Southland Horse of the Year won 13 races in 43 starts and stakes of early $200K. His biggest payday came with his second to Oscar Bonavena in last year’s Renwick Farms Dominion Trot. His last win was at Addington in February this year but he has been struggling in recent months, with his connections opting to retire him before he is rehomed. Oscar Bonavena meanwhile is heading south earlier than expected from Mark Purdon’s new set up at Matamata and will build up to the Dominion in Canterbury. He’s expected to resume at Addington on October 3.
Ontrack launched
Racing’s new well-being initiative Ontrack has been officially launched at Cambridge Raceway to coincide with the start of Mental Health Awareness Week. Supported by Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ), New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), and Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ), OnTrack is committed to making mental health and safety a top priority in the racing community. The goal is to build a strong, supportive network that promotes long-term mental well-being and prevents suicide. To see what ontrack is all about click here
Swedish star in North America
Kiwi bred mare Swedish Starlet has set a new PB in her latest win North America. The seven-year-old mare won at Plainbridge park in Massachusetts by three quarters of a length in a new lifetime best of 1:50.2. It was her 11th win of the year, and seventh at Plainridge. The daughter of Mach Three – Top Of The Pile had two wins from 25 for Southland trainer Bett Gray before being exported in October 2022. She had seven wins in Australia for the Turpin-McMullen barn in Queensland before heading to the USA.
Creatine retired from stud duty
Due to undisclosed issues shuttle stallion Creatine has been retired from duty. On the racetrack he was a Group 1 winner who earned over $2m before his stud career. His most successful progeny was the 2021 US Trotter of the Year Jujubee. He stood at Nevele R Stud in Christchurch from 2017 and sired 32 New Zealand-bred winners such as Faith In Manchester, Mighty Logan, Hot To Trot, Walkinonsunshine and South Diamond. Creatine will spend his retirement at Diamond Creek Farms in Pennsylvania.
NI awards on this week
The North Island Harness Awards will be held in the Skyline Lounge at Cambridge Raceway this Saturday, September 28. Tickets are $25 PP with a drink on arrival and dinner included. Doors open at 5.30pm, with the awards ceremony getting underway at 6 pm.
Club News : Addington
Win the Ultimate ZM on the Green VIP experience. Addington Raceway is offering you and five friends an IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup Day experience from your own exclusively styled area, with a delicious food and drinks package to keep the party going!
Here’s how to enter:
1. Purchase your ZM on the Green tickets before Thursday, 3 October.
2. Follow @AddingtonRaceway on Instagram or Facebook.
3. Tag your squad in the posts (Facebook and Instagram) for extra chances to win
Already bought your tickets? You’re still in with a chance to win. Just follow steps 2 and 3 above, and you’re in the draw.
To see more about IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day go to addington.co.nz
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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