Tuesday 2nd June 2015
Australian harness racing fans know the deeds of the standardbred Katy Perry. The talented daughter of Bettors Delight is undefeated on this side of the Tasman and did win the Gr. 1 Breeders Crown two year old fillies division last season.
As a three year old, the filly has been ‘hot n cold’ in New Zealand and remains winless but will join leading New South Wales trainer Shane Tritton and he ‘unconditionally’ believes she can go back to back and win another Breeders Crown.
“It was quite exciting to get a filly like her, she is very talented and under the Australian grading system she arrives back in Australia as a maiden three year old filly,” said Tritton.
“Some of her New Zealand owners have bought out other shareholders and made the decision to send her to me, I think it is a good sign for racing in NSW that owners from New Zealand are starting to work out that instead of selling their horses to Australia they can send them to trainers over here and race for good prize money.”
While the Breeders Crown at the end of the season is her main target, Tritton is considering a trip to Queensland should she settle into her new surroundings quickly.
“We will let her tell us which way to go, there is no rush and she had a week off recently but she’s not overly big so if she comes to hand quickly then we may get to Queensland.
“She joined me at Mark’s (Jones) while I was in New Zealand and I think she is going to do a very good job in Australia.”
Tritton confirmed Katy Perry will be part of a shipment of five horses that will be loaded onto a plane in New Zealand bound for Australia later this week.
“Salty Robyn will return home after his run in the Jewels on the weekend, we were very proud of him and he will now go for a spell and won’t resume until next season, while No Potato and Lurah who both won races for me in New Zealand are on the plane too.
“Katy Perry and Lady Warhol are the other two that are coming over.”
In other stable news Suave Stuey Lombo has not been sold and has returned to work while Mach Beauty will not travel to Queensland but is still on target for the Perth Inter Dominion later in the year.
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 31 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.