Five quality pacers have been nominated for one of the highlight events at the ‘A Rocknroll Dance 2015 North Island Harness Racing Awards’ at Alexandra Park on Saturday September 5.
The Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen trained Adore Me; the Tony Herlihy (MNZM) trained Ohoka Punter, the Stephen Doody trained Te Kawau; and the Barry Purdon trained duo of Lancewood Lizzie and Sky Major are all in with a chance of winning the ‘Auckland Trotting Club sponsored Aged Pacer-of-the-Year’ title.
As usual the two highlight award winners will be announced at the end of the function. They are the ‘Sir Lincoln at Lincoln Farms Racing Achievement’ award, and the ‘A Rocknroll Dance Alabar/Nevele R Stud Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing’ award.
One of the organisers for the annual event, Raelene Balle said North Island Harness Racing Awards’ now had its own Facebook page.
“If people “like” the page, photos from the night will be a great memory to share. I would like to pay a big respect to all of our sponsors.
“It never gets any easier for a non-profit charitable trust to raise funds to run a socially and financially successful event that harness racing enthusiasts want to attend.
“We are so grateful to our sponsors, some of which have supported us for 18 years; some new, which we happily welcome. We are sure they will have a great night. If it wasn’t for them the event would be a ‘no go’,” Balle said.
Pukekohe-based Balle also paid a tribute to the Auckland Trotting Club for fully sponsoring the registered Junior Drivers and Cadets to attend the event for the last eight years.
“This is a huge contribution to the industry. We have had comments from attendees over the years that our function has a great contrast of youth and experience. The emerging talent in our industry are all truly respectful of the wonderful sponsorship they receive to attend this event,” Balle summarised.
The awards will be held in Alexandra Park’s Tasman Room with pre-dinner drinks in the hall-of-Fame starting at 5.30pm. Tickets are $125. Junior drivers and cadets are fully subsidised.
The nominees for the ‘A Rocknroll Dance 2015 North Island Harness Racing Awards’ are (in alphabetical order):
Premier Horse Transport Groom-of-the-Year:
Zoe Cobb
Riina Maattanen
Paul Murphy
Monika Ranger
Magness Video Ltd / Vid-Com Ltd Licence-to-Train/Owner-Trainer-of-the-Year:
Paul Chalklen
Wendy Ferguson
David Marshall
John Peary
Tim Vince
Mitavite Junior Driver-of-the-Year:
Ben Butcher
Tony Cameron
Dylan Ferguson
Kyle Marshall
Andre Poutama
PGG Wrightson 2 year old Colt or Gelding -of-the-Year:
Mach Time
Max Phactor
Shandale
Walkinshaw
PGG Wrightson 2 year old Filly-of-the-Year:
Dream About Me
Gamma Lady
Killer Queen
Poppy Maguire
Breckon Farms 2 year old Trotter-of-the-Year:
Cyclone Chief
Gershwin
High Gait
Royal Willie
Breckon Farms 3 year old Trotter-of-the-Year:
Charming Lavra
Rock Tonight
Speeding Spur
Yagunnakissmeornot
Crombie & Lockwood Bloodstock 3 year old Colt or Gelding-of-the-Year:
Bettor Spirits
Chachingchaching
Have Faith In Me
Hughie Green
Hug The Wind
Crombie & Lockwood 3 year old Filly-of-the-Year:
Better B Amazed
Linda Lovegrace
The Orange Agent
Walk Of Fame
Garrards Horse & Hound Owners-of-the-Year:
Breckon Bloodstock Ltd
Dennis and Mark Dunford
John, Trish & Moira Green and Peter Bult
Charles Roberts and Paul & Mary Kenny
Woodlands Stud Ltd
Caduceus Club Filly/Mare-of-the-Year:
Adore Me
Dream About Me
Lancewood Lizzie
The Orange Agent
Hygain Breeder-of-the-Year:
Alabar
Breckon Farms Ltd
John, Trish & Moira Green and Peter Bult
Charles Roberts and Woodlands Stud
IRT Driver-of-the-Year:
David Butcher
Zac Butcher
Tony Herlihy
Maurice McKendry
Scott Phelan
Veterinary Associates Equine and Farm Trainer-of-the-Year:
John and Joshua Dickie
Tony Herlihy
Brian Hughes
Barry Purdon
Steve Telfer and Chris Garlick
Equine Veterinary Services Broodmare-of-the-Year:
Della’s Speed
Lady Fingers
Scuse Me
Splendid Dreams
Woodlands Stud Stallion-of-the-Year:
American Ideal
Bettor’s Delight
Mach Three
Majestic Son
Pegasus Spur
HRNZ Trotter-of-the-Year:
Al Bundy
Mum’s Pride
Prime Power
San Diego Love
Speeding Spur
Auckland Trotting Club Aged Pacer-of-the-Year:
Adore Me
Lancewood Lizzie
Ohoka Punter
Sky Major
Te Kawau
Sir Lincoln at Lincoln Farms Racing Achievement Award: SECRET.
A Rocknroll Dance Alabar/Nevele R Stud Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing: SECRET.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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