A brief look at some of the happenings from the past week in the world of harness racing.
POUTAMA CLOSES IN ON 100
Popular North Island junior driver, Andre Poutama moved to within striking distance of his 100th career winning drive with a victory on Reine Des Gitans on Friday night at Alexandra Park. The Pukekohe based junior took his season tally to 29, a personal best, in the process. Currently fourth on the national junior drivers’ premiership, Poutama is just two wins behind his closest rival, Craig Ferguson with less than a month of racing remaining in the season.
MUSCLE MASS AVAILABLE DOWN UNDER
Nevele R Stud were pleased to announce that they have secured the rights to provide frozen semen from outstanding trotting sire, Muscle Mass to New Zealand breeders this breeding season. The sire of the 2YO Ruby quinella last month in Custodian and Heavyweight Hero, Muscle Mass is expected to be in high demand and already Nevele R has insisted breeders book early as only a limited amount of semen is being made available to both New Zealand and Australia.
LIVE TO TELL LEADING IRON HORSE
Burnham pacer, Live To Tell, has one hand on the title of the 2015-2016 season’s Iron Horse. The Bruce Negus trained pacer, who raced twice at Forbury on Friday night, has lined up on 40 occasions so far this season – has won twice and placed on four occasions. She will race again on Thursday night at Addington as will her closest rivals, Hudson Sally who has had 38 starts. Hudson Sally is also nominated for the Oamaru meeting on Sunday.
ROSS NEAL RESIGNS
The Racing Integrity Unit yesterday announced that Ross Neal has resigned from his role as Co-Chief Stipendiary Steward. Mr Neal, who has been in the role for 8 years, said he had chosen to resign for personal reasons and to pursue other interests. “I am and continue to be passionate about the integrity and performance of our industry and believe I have been true to the intent and purpose of my role throughout my time in this role.” Racing Integrity Unit General Manager Mike Godber said Mr Neal had been an excellent Co- Chief Stipendiary Steward and was committed to the industry.
DUAL ROLE FOR ONE OVER DA MOON
Brilliantly bred trotter, One Over Da Moon will be available to breeders this season. The highly talented square gaiter who won the Ashburton Trotters’ Flying Mile earlier this season will serve a dual role for his owners Lex and Heather Williams. As well as spending time in the breeding barn, he will also continue to race – initially with Paul Nairn before returning to the the North Island and into the care of Tony Herlihy. A son of brilliant mare, One Over Kenny, One Over Da Moon lacks for nothing in the breeding department and will hold strong appeal for breeders across Australasia.
DJOKOVIC CHASING FOUR IN A ROW
While his namesake might have bowed out of Wimbledon earlier this week, it’s full steam ahead for Djokovic on Friday night. The Luk Chin trained trotter will be looking to go one step further than the usual game, set and match when he shoots for his fourth consecutive win against a handy field of trotters at Alexandra Park. The son of Sundon will have his 80th start on Friday night.
MILESTONE WATCH
A number of horseman around the country are currently sitting close to notable milestones in their careers. Jimmy Curtin is just two wins shy of 1500 driving wins in New Zealand, Phil Williamson is four wins short of 500 while Dean Taylor is currently on 492 training wins. In the North Island, Steven Reid is on 990 career wins. On Friday night at at Forbury Park, popular Southland horseman, Brent Barclay reached 600 driving wins for his career with a double. He reached the target when he won the Forbury Sprint Series with Risk Factor before Bettor Go Hurry took him to 601 wins.
SOUTH OF THE WAITAKI SERIES KICKS OFF
Nominations for the first heat of the Macca Lodge Trained South of the Waitaki Series which is this Friday night at Addington are strong. 14 horses have been nominated for the event, which is open to horses who are three-year-old and older and handicapped at C1 and below prior to nominations closing for the first heat provided they were trained south of the Waitaki river prior to May 1 this year. There are three rounds of heats held over the month of July with an $11,000 final at the end of the month. The first ever series, held last season, was won by Tact Tate.
CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP FOR WAIKIKI BEACH
Unbeaten pacer, Waikiki Beach will head to the races today with a new ownership makeup. The exciting three-year-old’s co-owner Neil Pilcher has, in the past week, finalised the sale of his share in the pacer to another co-owner, Trevor Casey. Cheryl Rasmussen, the mother of co-trainer, Natalie Rasmussen is the other shareholder. Waikiki Beach will line up at Menangle today and start from barrier one in a C5 or better $8,400 one mile event.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
