By Matt Markham
NEK TIME TO RETURN HOME
It wasn’t quite the finale they hoped for, but Nek Time will return to New Zealand following a successful Queensland raid.The Terry and Glenys Chmiel trained three-year-old filly finished last in Saturday night’s Queensland Derby.The daughter of Gotta Go Cullect was eased down at the 600 metres by Dexter Dunn and was suffering from a high heart rate and a cough. They returned to Auckland last night and will remain under the watchful eye of Arna Donnelly for the next six weeks.
MOMENT OF TRUTH TO KEEP RACING
Veteran trotter, Moment Of Truth will return to the track next season. The rising 14-year-old will enter his 12th season as a racehorse, and his current form sees him just as competitive as he has been in recent years. A winner of 28 races during his career which has consisted of 181 starts, Moment Of Truth began racing as a three-year-old when trained by Tim Butt. He is now trained by Liza Milina.
HOFFMAN KICKS OFF WAIKOUAITI BASE
Amber Hoffman’s new base is finally off to a winning start. In the last two months, Hoffman has completed her relocation from Westwood Beach in Dunedin to her new home in Waikouaiti. The winner of 172 races during her training career, Hoffman kicked off her new stabling with Mossdale Sue’s victory at Forbury Park on Thursday night. Having her first start for Hoffman after being transferred into her care from the stable of Greg and Nina Hope, Mossdale Sue was driven aggressively by Shane Walkinshaw.
PREMIERSHIP RACE GETS CLOSER
With just two weeks of racing remaining before the end of the season, Robert Dunn’s hopes of catching Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen in the national trainers’ premiership will rest solely on this weekend. Seven wins behind after last weekend, Dunn has strong chances at both Addington and Rangiora. The All Stars have two strong chances at Addington on Friday in Partyon and Pacing Major who contest heats of the Breeders Crown.
RECORD BREAKING SEASON FOR DEXTER?
It will take something from out of the box, but Dexter Dunn might just be able to get close to his personal best tally before he heads away on holiday. The World Champion reinsman sits on 212 winners for the season, eight short of his personal best of 220. He is due to travel overseas to drive in Wales and Ireland next week as well as take some time out for a holiday leaving him just this weekend to get the eight wins required.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
