The 2019 Interdominion’s (ID’s) returned to New Zealand, specifically Auckland for the first time in eight years. Last held at Alexandra Park, Auckland in March/April 2011 (transferred from Addington, Christchurch as a result of the devastating earthquake of 22 February 2011), the Auckland Trotting Club were this year’s Championship hosts, the second of the first three three year rotational system agreed by co-hosts Harness Racing Victoria (HRV), Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ), Club Menangle (NSWHRC) and Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW), endorsed by the Interdominion Council (IDEC).
Following the pattern of the traditional Interdominion, the opening night of heats were held at Alexandra Park on Friday 29 November followed by the second and third round of heats on Tuesday 3 December and Friday 6 December. The Grand Finals of both Pacers and Trotters Championships were hosted on Saturday 14 December. This was the ninth time a Pacers Grand Final has been held at Alexandra Park and the tenth occasion for the Trotters Grand Final (includes 1993 – Trotters ID only). All ID races were mobile start events.
As we have done for the past sixteen ID’s (2004 – 2018, twice in 2015), my wife and I attended these latest Auckland ID’s with a tour group, previously Michael Gallenti’s Melbourne based harness racing travel specialists “Harness Racing Travelworld” (HRT) and this year part of Christchurch based Holland, Clarke and Beatson’s Interdominion tour. This year three tour durations (17 or 10 nights or Grand Finals weekend packages) were offered.
Several Australian owned, trained and driven horses were represented at the carnival this year : Pacers series : San Carlo (Steve O’Donoghue and Bec Bartley), My Kiwi Mate (Craig Demmler), Colt Thirty One (Grant Dixon), Bling It On (Craig Cross), Our Uncle Sam (Chris Frisby) and Atomic Red/Conviction (Steve Turnbull), Sicario Brent Lilley); Trotters series : Tough Monarch (Rickie Alchin), Big Jack Hammer (David Aiken) and McLovin (Andy Gath).
Like nearly every ID carnival, some drama unfolds prior to or during the actual championship. This year, the withdrawal of Spankem, favourite for a number of major Australasian feature pacing events, due to a fetlock issue discovered following NZ Cup week sparking what appeared the most open pacers series in years. Recent NZ Cup winner Cruz Bromac moved into favouritism for the Pacers Grand Final prior to the opening nights heats.
In the trotters division, McLovin (fever) and Credit Master (infection) having received medications to treat them were late withdrawals on the Thursday before the first round of heats. A condition of the championship rules reads “To be eligible to compete in the Grand Final of the Trotting Championship, horses shall start in all Qualifying Heats, unless exemption is granted by the Host Controlling Body [Harness Racing New Zealand], which shall decide upon each case according to its merits.” Accordingly McLovin would have been allowed to run in the latter rounds of the championship but swelling in his legs due to a viral infection forced his withdrawal from the series prior to the second round of heats.
The six Pacing and Trotting qualifying heats run over three nights were held between 29 November and 6 December with the Grand Finals on Saturday evening 14 December 2019. Prize money offered during the IRT (International Horse Transport) ID carnival exceeded NZ$1.660m, the Group 1 Pacers Grand Final representing NZ$500,000 (six Group 3 heats at NZ$30,000 and Group 3 consolation at NZ$40,000) while the Group 1 Trotters Grand Final was worth NZ$150,000 (six Group 3 heats at NZ$30,000). Other major races featured during the carnival were Group One Rosslands Queen of Hearts – Fillies and Mares ($100,000) and Peter Breckon Memorial Caduceus Club Stakes- 3yo Fillies ($100,000); Group Two Alabar 3yo Classic ($50,000); Group Three Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes – Pacing Mares ($30,000); feature events Northern 3yo Pacing Stakes and NZ Sires Stakes 3yo Pacing Fillies heat
Being part of a tour group means that harness racing is not the only activity engaged in but other events are organised to maintain the interest of participants. A brief outline of our 17 day/night tour is interspersed with the results of Interdominion racing. The tour commenced on Thursday evening 28 November with a Welcome function and dinner in the Cut Restaurant at Rydges, Auckland Central.
Comfortably situated in our reserved dining seating in the Tasman Room, opening night winners at Alexandra Park (1006m) on Friday 29 November 2019 were :
Pacing – the 2200m heats brought forth a few surprises with a new NZ record set for the 2200m mobile journey.
Heat One : Chase Auckland attempted to lead from go to whoa but was run down in the closing stages by stablemate Ultimate Sniper who had endured a tough run in the early stages. Ultimate Sniper’s 2:35.4/1:55.0 erased his full brother Ultimate Machete and Dalton Bromac’s previous NZ record by 0.7 seconds. Ultimate Sniper moved into Grand Final favourtism after this performance. Mach Shard finished attractively for third,
Heat two : a major upset when AG’s White Socks, transferred to Barry Purdon’s stable by the Hopes for the ID series only a week earlier, stormed home to out finish the All Stars pair of Cruz Bromac (parked last lap) and Thefixer. Bling It On led but faded badly to finish second last.
Trotting – the two 2200m heats produced winners and losers.
Heat one : Paramount King produced a fine performance in causing the first upset of the carnival in the opening heat recording a national record time of T2:40.4/1:57.3 in defeating a brave Massive Metro with Big Jack Hammer third after leading.
Heat two : Winterfell performed to his highest standard in winning. Favourite Marcoola was crossed at the start and came from three back the rails to finish second while Majestic Man flew home for third after a chequered run in transit. Temporale was close up fourth. Victorian Tough Monarch faded to seventh after leading.
Following the opening night of heats, a change in scenery on Saturday 30 November saw the tour party enjoy a lavish lunchtime dining treat at Euro Bar and Restaurant, Princess Wharf on the Auckland Waterfront. Following a three course set menu, we took the opportunity to celebrate our nonagenarian Helen’s Head latest birthday.
Sunday morning saw an Auckland City sightseeing highlights tour undertaken which included travelling through the Wynyard Quarter, past Viaduct Harbour, the waterfront, Mission Bay, St Heliers, Michael Savage Memorial, Parnell Rose Gardens, Auckland Museum/Domain, Mount Eden before returning to the central city.
Monday 2 December was a totally equine based day commencing with a visit to the Auckland Trotting Club’s training facility at Franklin Park, Pukekohe. Among those horses observed working this morning was ID entrant Classie Brigade. A bonus visit was made to the Lincolns Farms complex at the back of Franklin Park. Next stop was a call into New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka Sales Complex to view this world class facility consisting of selling arena, stabling etc. Departing Karaka we travelled to Alabar New Zealand’s standardbred stud farm at Waiau Pa. After enjoying a bakery lunch and tea & coffee, the opportunity was taken to view stallion’s residing at Alabar NZ including Ultimate Machete, Sir Lincoln, Majestic Son and Peak as well as on site mares with their recent foals. Elsu who was to lead out the Pacers Grand Final field was paraded for the tour group.
Positioned in the Top Of The Park Restaurant, the second night heat winners at Alexandra Park on Tuesday 3 December 2019 on a leader biased night were :
Pacing – heats over 1700m – Heat One : AG’s White Socks (1:52.7MR) continued his remarkable comeback after leading and out finishing Chase Auckland who led early and then trailed the winner. My Kiwi Mate and outsider Dance Time filled the minor positions. Australian chances Atomic Red and Colt Thirty One (wide entire journey) tailed the field.
Heat two : Ultimate Sniper whilst initially three wide from barrier seven before making the parked out position, still managed to win his heat by a head from stablemate Cruz Bromac in a personal best mile rate of 1:52.6. Mach Shard who managed to cross San Carlo at the start gained another excellent placing with leader Classie Brigade finishing fourth. Ultimate Sniper remained favourite to win the Pacers Grand Final.
Trotting – the two 1700m heats were won in similar fashion by Majestic Man and Temporale.
Heat one : Majestic Man from barrier three completed an effortless all the way victory (T1:55.6MR) winning by 4½l from Habibi Inta was trailed him throughout with Massive Metro finishing strongly for third place. Opening night winner Winterfell was late getting clear finishing fourth.
Heat two : Temporale led out, Bonnie Highlander took the lead briefly before Temporale (T1:57.0MR) went around her to led for the balance of the journey. Marcoola was again crossed from barrier one being three back the rails finished second just pipping Paramount King who mounted a wide run late.
Wednesday 4 December was a marine themed day beginning with a guided tour and individual viewing of the New Zealand Maritime Museum in the Viaduct Basin area of downtown Auckland. Later a three course set menu luncheon was enjoyed at Soul Bar and Restaurant on the Auckland Waterfront. Thursday saw travel north of Auckland to Matakohe to visit the award winning Kauri Museum to learn the story of pioneering settlers through the lens of the Kauri wood industry. Lunch was enjoyed at the adjacent Gumdiggers Café before returning to our Auckland accommodation via the Twin Coast Discovery Highway (Kaipara Harbour) and Helensville. The ten day tour participants arrived today in readiness for the next instalment of this year’s ID heats.
Friday morning saw optional tours available to visit Sea Life, Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium or the Sky Tower prior to the evening’s third round of ID heats.
With a near full bus now moving members of the tour party, we were located in the Tasman Room for the third night’s heats on Friday 6 December at Alexandra Park, tonight’s heats determining places in the following weeks Grand Finals :
Pacing – longer distance heats were run over 2700m but with similar results to earlier nights. The final Pacing heats saw the major players again to the fore with Ultimate Sniper recording his third heat success and Cruz Bromac his first after placing earlier. Heat one : after being three wide the final lap and appearing to be laboring with 600m to run, Ultimate Sniper (1:56.8MR) headed stablemate Chase Auckland who had led for the majority of the journey by a head on the line. Queenslander Colt Thirty One produced his best performance of the carnival in finishing third.
Heat two : Cruz Bromac (1:57.2MR) headed stablemate Thefixer by three quarters of a length with five and three quarter lengths back to fast finishing Triple Eight, part owned by Father Brian Glasheen (the Pacing Priest) a member of our tour party. The third placing qualified Triple Eight for the final.
Trotting – the 2700m heats were won by the previous heat winners Temporale and Winterfell.
Heat one : Temporale (2:01.4MR) sped to an early lead controlling his heat to win from Paramount King and Australian Tough Monarch.
Heat two : Winterfell set a new national record for 2700mM (1:59.5MR) leading for most of the way winning from trailer Massive Metro and parked out Majestic Man.
Other major races contested on the third night of the Auckland ID’s were the Group Three Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes – Pacing Mares ($30,000) won by Belle Of Montana and feature events Northern 3yo Pacing Stakes (winner : Copy That) and a NZ Sires Stakes 3yo Pacing Fillies heat won by Need You Now.
On the Saturday following the third night of heats, the tour party set out to experience Auckland’s spectacular West Coast beaches (Piha) and Waitakere Ranges native bush as part of a full day tour. A Christmas themed buffet lunch was enjoyed at Soljans Winery, Kumeu.
Sunday 8 December was the day of the Barrier Draws for both the Pacers and Trotters Grand Finals held in The Elsu at The Alex Bar & Eatery within Alexandra Park. Whilst an optional function, this “grazing style brunch” event alongside the barrier draws attracted a full turnout from the tour group. Michael Guerin was MC for this function which incorporated the blessing of the colours by the Pacing Priest Father Brian Glasheen (tour party member) and attendance by special ID guest Charlie Hunter. The opportunity was taken to visit the NZ Trotting Hall of Fame prior to the commencement of the Barrier Draw function.
After departing our Auckland accommodation on Monday morning 9 December, we travelled to Hamilton where a guided tour of the most visited attraction in the city the Hamilton Gardens was undertaken prior to a picnic lunch in the Gardens. After lunch a relaxing cruise on the Waikato River Explorer was undertaken prior to checking in at our overnight accommodation stop, the Novotel Tainui Hamilton hotel. A tasty buffet dinner featured in the evening.
Departing Hamilton after breakfast on Tuesday 10 December, today’s first stop was Breckon Farms at Ohaupo on the northern outskirts of Te Awamutu. Breckon Farms is the 250 acre property of Ken and Karen Breckon (previously Yarndley Farms, owned by prominent breeder Sandy Yarndley and wife Jan), well known through the exploits of many fine racehorses including champion trotter I Can Doosit. Their magnificent property is home to some of the finest harness racing stock in Australasia including broodmares, weanlings, yearlings and race horses. A tour of the property by bus was undertaken followed by morning tea and the parading of a number of 2010 Karaka yearlings, Elle Mac and others. Ken and Karen Breckon were generous hosts, with Farm Manager Nigel Fahy, Sandy Yarndley, Rob Carr and the full farm team in attendance.
Leaving Breckon Farms we headed to Otorohanga for lunch and the afternoon’s self-guided tour of the Otorohanga Kiwi House. Here Kiwi, tuatara and other native birdlife were observed close up and active in specialised nocturnal/moonlit enclosures. Following this visit the tour party returned to Auckland and their accommodations.
Wednesday 11 December started out on a nautical note travelling by fast ferry to Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf. Included amongst todays features were visits to two vineyards for tasting (Mud Brick and Stoneyridge wineries). Lunch was partaken in the fabulous surroundings of Stoneyridge Vineyard before we caught the ferry back to the Auckland Waterfront.
Thursday was spent in the delightful suburban harbour side hub of Devonport. Crossing the Harbour Bridge, our coach deposited the tour group in the midst of “downtown” Devonport where time was available to explore at leisure – this could have included a walk to the summit of Mt Victoria for views of the Auckland City skyline; exploring the NZ Navy Museum; browsing the shops on Victoria Road before enjoying lunch at a venue of one’s own choice. A voucher for travel back to central Auckland on the local Devonport ferry was provided.
Friday evening 13 December was set aside for a pre Grand Final Dinner at Rydges. Dining in our own private room, a three course alternate drop menu supplemented by a deluxe beverage package set everyone up for the following days Grand Finals. A panel consisting of tour host Mark Lowe, Father Brian Glasheen and Peter Craig took participants through the various permutations and chances for the Grand Finals. A great evening was enjoyed by all.
Saturday 14 December dawned grey and overcast but fine with all in readiness for the 2019 Interdominion Grand Finals. This evening we were again situated in the Tasman Room with prime viewing positions for the concluding stages of yet another successful ID championship, the All Stars stable proving dominant with seven winners from starters in eight races.
From an ID record perspective, Mark Purdon moved to eight training wins (three pacing, five trotting) plus seven driving successes (three pacing, four trotting) while Natalie Rasmussen joined Brian Hancock with five pacing ID successes as both a trainer and driver. For the third year in the past four, the All Stars stable produced the ID Pacing champion (Smolda 2016, Lazarus 2017 and Ultimate Sniper 2019). Both Grand Final winners were sired by current leading NZ sires Bettors Delight and Majestic Son.
Pacers Grand Final :
Run over a staying distance of 2700m, Ultimate Sniper confirmed his superiority remaining unbeaten throughout the carnival to register his fourteenth victory in twenty starts and fourth Group One to date.
A little unexpected, Barry Purdon’s trio dominated the race start leaving Ultimate Sniper well back in the field. Moving up to sit parked outside leader AG’s White Socks with a mile to run, he cruised to the lead at the top of the straight before holding out Mach Shard (Barry Purdon) and a late finisher in Thefixer by a neck, nose and just a half neck to Cruz Bromac (one length from winner) in fourth, completing a Purdon brothers first four (Mark – five starters, Barry – three; between them they provided first six finishers). The 2700m journey was covered in 3:14.7/1:56.0/55.2/27.9. (track/national record 3:13.8, Christen Me).
Ultimate Sniper is owned by Philip and Glenys Kennard, Gavin Douglas, Phil and Margaret Creighton and Kevin Riseley; trained by Mark Purdon/Natalie Rasmussen and driven by Natalie Rasmussen. The Bettors Delight four year old Ultimate Sniper’s dam, Reality Check is by Armbro Operative, a member of the N5 family of Bonnie Belle (previous ID winner is inaugural 1936 winner Logan Derby) and 2019 NZ Pacing Broodmare of Year. Reality Check has produced three winners from three to race; Ultimate Sniper, his full brother (now sire) Ultimate Machete (1:51.9, $823k, ten NZ/three AUS wins, NZSS – 3, NZFFA, WA 4YO Championship and Golden Nugget) and Major Reality (1:50.9, $434k, twenty three AUS wins, WA Oaks).
Ultimate Snipers earnings are fast approaching the million dollar mark ($842k) with a best mile rate of 1:52.6 set at Alexandra Park during ID heats. Now the winner of fourteen of his twenty career starts, other major successes include NZSS – 3, GN/NZ Derbies, Alabar Classic and Junior FFA. Ultimate Sniper was awarded NZ three year old male Pacer of Year for 2018/19 season.
The Pacers Consolation (Lincoln Farms Classic) was won by Another Masterpiece.
Trotters Grand Final :
Was also contested over the 2700m journey, providing a close finish in the end with favorite Winterfell prevailing by a neck from Majestic Man and Massive Metro.
Winterfell was crossed early before taking the lead from Majestic Man and later coping pressure from Australian Tough Monarch. He was momentarily headed by Massive Metro turning for home before fighting back to regain the lead. Even then he had to withstand the late passing lane charge by runner up Majestic Man. His time of T3:21.6/2:00.1/58.2/28.9 was just outside his national record set in the third round of heats.
The winner of twelve races, placed on five occasions from twenty five starts, Winterfell has only been beaten once (fourth second heat) in six starts at Alexandra Park. His stake earnings now exceed $360k with a best mile rate of T1:58.1, other Group One victories include at three GN Trotters Derby and Jewels Ruby. In addition, he won NZSS – 3T at Alexandra Park.
Winterfell was bred and is owned by major owner Trevor Casey being trained for him by the All Stars pair of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen. The five year old gelding’s sire is Majestic Son out of pacing bred dam Una Bromac (Live Or Die). Una Bromac was an eight win open class trotter, placed at three in NZ Trotting Oaks (third) and NZ Trotting Derby (fourth); T2:05.2, $85,222, NZ Challenge (now Lyell Creek) Stakes. Her eight foals include six winners from those raced with four in sub two minutes, all of them stake winners – Winterfell, Escapee (NZ/GN Trotters Derby), Needle and Catigula. This is the family of Pride of Lincoln (CF N1); most successful family of previous ID Trotters Final winners in Take A Moment (twice), True Roman and Tussle.
Other major winners on Grand Final night were Belle Of Montana in the Group One Rosslands Queen of Hearts – Fillies and Mares ($100,000) and Amazing Dream in the Peter Breckon Memorial Caduceus Club Stakes – 3yo Fillies ($100,000); Group Two Alabar 3yo Classic ($50,000) winner was Copy That while Oscar Bonavena won the other major Trotters event ($25,000) of the evening.
Bettors Delight (six pacing) and Majestic Son (two trotting) were multiple winning stallions on the night. The All Stars stable (Mark Purdon/Natalie Rasmussen) trained seven winners from starters in eight races; Natalie Rasmussen drove four winners, Mark Purdon three; Jean Feiss and Kennard’s (shared ownership) of two winners on the programme.
Overall, the carnival provided competitive racing with numerous quick times recorded by the Interdominion contenders. The trotter’s championships in particular did suffer slightly with a number of horses being withdrawn from the latter heats.
The Auckland Trotting Club ran a very successful Interdominion carnival for both Pacers and Trotters. A fortnight plus of touring, together with a thoroughly enjoyable four nights of high class harness racing produced a great spectacle and presentation. The various other equine activities enjoyed mixed in well with other sightseeing activities.
The countdown towards next year’s 2020 Interdominion Grand Finals to be hosted at TABCorp Park, Menangle by Club Menangle (NSW Harness Racing Club) has already commenced. The date for the Grand Finals has been confirmed as Saturday 12 December 2020.
Peter Craig
20 December 2019
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
