HARNESS NEWS
Christchurch breeder Paul Bielby has acquired well-performed racemare Amazon Lily.
The daughter of Bettor’s Delight, a winner of six races and just shy of $100,000 for trainers Ken and Tony Barron, raced in the Group 1 New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes at Addington last Friday night.
It turned out to be her track swansong after a disappointing performance.
“I actually had a deal in place to purchase her late last year and the plan was to breed from her straight away, but she didn’t take after being served a couple of times – she was too tucked up from being in work.
“So, I left it up to the syndicate that was racing her and they had the option to race her through until the end of the season if they wanted.
“But they’ve pulled the pin and I have no taken ownership of her.”
Bielby has no plans to race Amazon Lily on, preferring instead to give her time in the paddock to ‘let down’ ahead of an early insemination next season.
No stallion has been decided upon as yet.
“I always make my decisions too early and then get to the first of August or September and find myself question my decision.
“She will be a difficult mare to find the right consort for as she’s by Bettor’s Delight out of an Art Major line mare.
“In terms of commercial viability, something from the Direct Scooter line or Abercrombie might be the answer.”
Amazon Lily is out of The Blue Lotus, a Grinfromeartoear half-sister to former racetrack star-cum-sire Tintin In America.
The Breeders Stakes was also the final race start for northern mare Better B Amazed, who was also retired after a disappointing effort.