Nellie Doyle leading the way in Seddon Shields Trotters Series

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

After wins at Nelson and Marlborough, Nellie Doyle now holds a one point lead after eight of 10 heats in the Trevor Craddock Memorial Seddon Shields Trotters Series.

Trained by Tim Trathen and driven by the country's leading driver Blair Orange, Nellie Doyle has raced in four heats so far and has 27 points overall, one ahead of Moses, who had wins at Nelson (January 11) and Marlborough (January 16).

A double winner at Westport, Premium Player and the evergreen Rachmaninov are third equal on 21 points.

The 10-heat series around the top of the South Island started at Kaikoura on November 3. This year the series is named in honour of Trevor Craddock, a West Coast legend who died last October. He was a successful trainer and a President and Life Member of the Westport Trotting Club.

In its third year the series targets R51 and faster trotters and will host two more heats, at Westport on March 6 and Reefton on March 8, before the $30,000 Final at Addington on Friday, March 20. The final will be limited to 16 starters.

So far 20 trotters have accrued at least one point.

Nine trotters are currently eligible for the final - Nellie Doyle, Moses, Premium Player, Rachmaninov, Brother Love, Bullit Train, Playoffs, Knowing Me and Tu Tangata.                                                     

To be eligible they must have a minimum of four starts required across all Seddon Districts race meetings in the 2025/26 racing season.

Points for each heat are allocated as follows :

1st - 10 points
2nd - 5 points
3rd - 3 points
4th - 2 points
5th - 1 point
6th+ - 0 points

Leaderboard (after 8 of 10 heats):                                                        

Nellie Doyle 27
Moses 26
Premium Player 21
Rachmaninov 21
Bullit Train 12
Dreams Pat 10
Ready Set Jet 8
Wilma's Boy 6
Zoltan Boscik 5
Helloveamoment 5
Mavis Jones 5
Tu Tangata 4
Rush 3
Roydon Muscle 3
One Over Da Line 3
Brother Love 3
Vertigo 2
MM Sunshine 2
One El 1
Musclynn 1

The final two heats will be held at Westport on March 6 and Reefton on March 8 before the $30,000 Final at Addington on March 20.

All enquiries should be directed to erinkfox 24@gmail.com