For the first time in 10 years, there will be not be an
Auckland Trotting Club syndicate buying at this year’s
yearling sales. This decision was made by ATC President Rod
Croon and Syndicates Manager Rob Carr who said it was based on
economic reasons. Carr said there was less interest this year,
in spite of the syndicates’ huge success – 142 wins and $4.5m
in stakes.
Crack trotter Sovereignty is not far off racing again,
following soreness issues that forced him to miss most of the
summer features. The return to full fitness has come after
training for two and a half weeks on an aqua treadmill. It has
saved the concussion on his joints, and trainer Sean McCaffrey
said he was ready to bowl along in training.
Trainer Geoff Small has succeeded with his appeal against
a six-month disqualification. His new penalty is a $10,000
fine.
The quinella dividend of $3688 returned by Berkshire Son
and Sea Spray Cindy at the Banks Peninsula meeting last month
was the biggest recorded by the NZ TAB.
The previous best was $2505 by Mango’s Lunch and Elaine’s
Shadow in Melbourne in 1991.
Up and coming 3-year-old Best Chance has been sold to
clients of Perth trainer, Gary Hall. He was trained in NZ by
Mark Jones, and won four of his eight starts, including a Heat
of the Southern Supremacy Stakes.
