By Adam Hamilton
NEW Zealanders are set to dominate the Australian Horse of the Year Awards.
Voting opened this week and Kiwi-trained horses, headed by the stars of last week’s Breeders Crown Super Sunday, are set to win the majority of the categories.
Stars like Christen Me, Our Waikiki Beach and Stent are also set to challenge for the overall Australian Horse of the Year title.
Although superstar Aussie three-year-old Menin Gate – a four-time Group 1 winner last season – is also a major player.
Christen Me, who returns to racing at Addington on Friday night, must be favourite to snare the Aged Pacer of the Year crown.
Beautide successfully defended his Sydney Inter Dominion crown, but probably didn’t do enough outside of that.
Christen Me won the Miracle Mile, Victoria Cup and Bendigo Cup.
Adore Me’s record-smashing Ladyship Mile win should earn her the Australian Pacing Mare of the Year title.
Abnd Stent’s perfect five-from-five record in Aussie this season, capped by a Great Southern Star win, should give him an edge over Keystone Del for the Trotter of the Year.
Other Kiwis who look “over the line” in their categories are: Our Waikiki Beach, Our Dream About Me, Speeding Spur, High Gait and Fight For Glory.
There’s a very real chance Mark Purdon could win categories five categories with: Adore Me, Fight For Glory, Our Dream About Me, Our Waikiki Beach and High Gait.
Voting closes on September 11 and the awards will be announced soon after.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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