By Jonny Turner
A star studded line up of New Zealand’s best pacers and broodmares will vie for titles at next month’s Otago Harness Racing Awards in Dunedin.
Classy youngsters Princess Tiffany and Ultimate Sniper will take on home town favourites Eamon Maguire and Majestic Man and northerners Speeding Spur and Havtime in the Best Otago Owned Horse category.
Bethany, the dam of Lazarus, One Over Kenny, the dam of Ultimate Stride, and Foreal, the dam of Field Marshal with square off with 100-win producer, Fleet’s Pocket, in the Broodmare Excellence category.
Each of those broodmare’s owners, Gavin Chin, Lex and Heather Williams and Syd and Shona Brown are finalists for Otago Breeder Of The Year alongside Archie Affleck.
Winners of the breeding awards and the Otago Horse Of The Year will be announced at a gala evening at Forbury Park on September 14.
A massive total of 23 titles will be awarded in age group trotting and pacing and training and driving categories.
Winners of the age group trotting and pacing awards will be eligible to be crowned Otago’s horse of the year.
Big race performers Cracker Hill, Ultimate Stride, Majestic Man and Jess Jaccka look to be some of the strongest contenders for the overall title.
More than one significant contribution award will industry members at the Otago awards.
Former champion thoroughbred trainer Dave O’Sullivan will be the guest speaker at the awards.
Tickets are available by contacting Lisa Butler at the Forbury Park Trotting Club on lisa@forburypark.co.nz or 03 455 2154.
Otago Harness Racing Awards Finalists:
2yr-old male pacers
The Ideal Touch.
2yr-old male trotters
Cracker Hill, Ultimate Stride.
3yr-old male pacers
Motu Top Mach, Parama.
3yr-old pacing fillies
Anne Bonney, Countess Of Arden, Miss Paddywagon, Tango Dancer, Ultimate Sassenach.
3yr-old male trotters
Count Eyre, Gazza Galleon, Havehorsewilltravel, Only One Way, Winning Bones.
3yr-old trotting fillies
Emma Frost, Liberty Stride, Fanny Hill, Spur To Action, Shes Like The Wind.
4yr-old male pacers
Allandale, Bettor Sensation, Candidasa, Jimmy Richter, Rockin Rod.
4yr-old pacing mares
Betstars Blue Jean, Blarney Babe, Ferrits Sister, Kotare Elite, Thisladyrocks,
4yr-old male trotters
Majestic Man, Springbank Lachie, Whatwillbeewillbee, The Commando. Majestic Connies.
4yr-old trotting mares
Bobinup, Deborahs Gem, Kenny’s Dream, Our Gracie.
5yr-old and older male pacers
Alexy, Aveross Ferrari, Gabby’s Star, Fiery Ferrit, Red Terror.
5yr-old and older pacing mares
Bobbie’s Medley, Mad Dog Maddy, She’s Outstanding, Sounds Bettor,.
5yr-old and older trotter.
Dusky Eyre, Imran Khan, Monty Python, Pyramid Magic, That’s The Story.
5yr-old and older trotting mares
Alderbeck, Jen Jaccka, Pres The Belle.
Best Otago Owned Horse
Eamon Maguire, Havtime, Majestic Man, Princess Tiffany, Speeding Spur, Ultimate Sniper.
Broodmare excellence
Bethany, Fleet’s Pocket, One Over Kenny, Foreal.
Breeders Of The Year
Syd and Shona Brown, Gavin Chin, Lex and Heather Williams, Archie Affleck.
Other award categories:
Trainer of the year
Strike rate trainer of the year
Driver of the year
Junior driver of the year
Significant contribution to Otago Harness Racing
Ferguson family award for most improved mare
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
