Queensland based owner Jeroen Nieuwenburg is building up his trotting team.
And the latest addition to his team is handy New Zealand performer Santorini Sunset, a six win trotter from the stables of Kevin Townley.
Santorini Sunset will join the stables of Tamborine Village horseman Brad Connelly.
The deal was negotiated through Auckland based agent Garrick Knight and his company Knight Exports.
Nieuwenburg races several trotters currently including Mr Mayfly, Ivanov plus Lavros Segil and all will contest the Gr.2 $40,000 Darrell Alexander Memorial Trotting Championship series at Albion Park starting tomorrow (Friday).
The final is scheduled for December 17.
“I enjoy the trotters and find the product incredibly fair; I believe it reflects the old days where everything is not based around the current format of leader/behind leader which makes no appeal to me.” Nieuwenburg said.
Santorini Sunset was never considered for the DJA series with Nieuwenburg looking at his latest prospect as a long term project.
The Majestic Son – Sunning gelding last raced on October 24 at Ashburton when finishing down the line behind Twelve Monkeys after starting off a 25m handicap.
Two starts ago, Santorini Sunset scored a narrow victory at Addington defeating Idle Monkey and Quevert.
“The series here was never in my line of thought because it would’ve been a tall order for a number of reasons including the heat that we’re currently experiencing here in Brisbane right now; normally I like to allow them time to acclimatise.
“I think over the next three to six months we will hopefully see the best of him, I know Brad likes to sort his trotters out and is constantly tinkering with their shoeing and workload.”
While the immediate focus for Nieuwenburg is the trotters, the passionate owner is still racing a number of pacers including talented types Mister Mundaka and Maximan.
Both pacers are prepared by leading Victorian based trainer Andy Gath but both have battled health issues in recent times.
Another pacer that has provided plenty of thrills for Nieuwenburg in recent times is Zalta, a New Zealand import that has amassed 6 wins from 14 starts to date on Australian soil.
All victories have come at Globe Derby in Adelaide for trainer Les Harding.
But his future now rests in Brisbane with Nieuwenburg switching the Stonebridge Regal gelding to the stables of Connelly.
Zalta arrives in Brisbane next week.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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