News Briefs - August 13

A breakthrough win for Robbie Crawford, milestones for John Morrison and the McGowans, and the return of the Box Seat all feature in this week's News Briefs.

Win worth the wait   

Perseverance had its reward for  Robbie Crawford at Addington on Friday night when he produced a well-judged drive to get Bevron, a recent Gavelhouse purchase, home at lucrative odds ($20.30). Crawford sat in the trail in the Stewart Dawsons Diamonds and Watches Mobile Trot behind favourite Jordan Anne before peeling out around the home turn and beating Clovelly Hill by half a head. A group including Crawford and the horse's Waikouaiti trainer Eddie Murphy bought Bevron for $3800. Friday was just the third race under their ownership with the $8250 stake recouping the purchase price and more. It was Bevron's fourth win in 70 starts, having previously been with Robbie Holmes then Michael House.  Crawford, a Waimate financial advisor, has always been around horses. It was his 102nd race day drive, his first being  in 1990. He also has one training success with Rostriever Victory winning for then junior driver Kimberly Butt at Forbury Park in 2017. 

Morrison and McGowans with milestones too

After taking more than 130 drives before his first success in 2016, John Morrison claimed his 400th winner when Heaven's Mark won the Viable Agriculture Mobile Pace at Ashburton on Sunday. The Ashburton-based trainer-driver picked up the milestone at drive number 5264. He has won the junior drivers' premiership three times (2019 -2021), with his season's best tally being 63 wins in 2019. He also trains Heaven's Mark. Husband and wife training team Dave and Clare McGowan had their 200th success together when Castana won at Alexandra Park on Friday for a jubilant Taitlyn Hanara. Their first winner was Timmo at Auckland in 2000. Dave McGowan has also won 79 races on his own account. Over the years the McGowans  have trained some mighty horses including 1999 Inter Dominion champion Special Force and multiple Group 1 winner One Dream.

First TAB Club horse

Speaking of One Dream - her 12th foal Eun Sogno is set to debut at Addington on Friday night in the IRT. Your Horse, Our Passion Pace. By Captain Crunch, the two-year-old colt is the first to be raced by the TAB Racing Club. The Club is all about providing opportunities for TAB customers to experience the joys of ownership without spending a cent. They are not legal owners of any of the horses but have the opportunity get access to exclusive behind the scenes stable content, race day prizes and ownership experiences. Focusing on the 18-35 age bracket, the club has over 17,000 members. Eun Sogno, a $42,500 purchase at the 2024 National Yearling Sales, is trained by Cran and Chrissie Dalgety, with son Carter driving on Friday night.

Jones up to third

Kowhai Star's win at Ashburton on Sunday has helped Mark Jones to move up to third in the trainers' premiership. He has 45 wins this season to equal his entire tally for 2024. He has also inched ahead of Robert and Jenna Dunn on 44 wins, with Michael House second on 80 and Steve and Amanda Telfer well ahead of the pack on 109. On the back of the Telfers' success Stonewall Stud's top driver Tim Williams has 81 wins in 2025 to be second overall, behind seven-time premiership winner Blair Orange (111).

Fitting win for Beckers

How appropriate that Magnetic Beckers won the Chris "Beckers" Beckley Memorial Mobile Pace at Invercargill on Sunday. The Southern Surge race was named after Chris Beckley who died in 2002. He was 23 and the youngest son of Neville and Muriel Beckley who own Magnetic Beckers. It was the free-legged pacer's eight career win. His next start will be in the $25,000 Southern Surge Final at Gore later this month.

Copy That out west

Dual New Zealand Cup winner Copy That will stand at stud at Murray Veterinary Services near Perth this spring for a fee of $4600. The winner of 33 of his 68 starts with stakes of over $2m, Copy That retired in September last year after on-going issues with his knees. With both speed and stamina as his hallmarks Copy That won from 1609 to 3200 metres with his lifetime best being 1:52 at Alexandra Park. For more details go to :  https://copythat.net.au/

Nine years old - no worries

Age does not appear to be catching up with old marvel Max Delight. The nine-year-old won at Menangle over the weekend with his 1:48.9sec mile rate just 0.1sec outside his career best. Max Delight has now won 36 races from 145 starts with stakes of more than $1.4m. Given his form he could be a real force in the $150,000 Group 1 Len Smith Mile on September 6, where the three best pacers in Australia – Leap To Fame, Swayzee and Don Hugo – will all be missing.

The Box Seat is back!

Harness racing's big show has been confirmed for another run.  Matt Cross, Brittany Graham, and Greg O’Connor will be back with The Box Seat for race reviews, previews and interviews with special guests every Tuesday on Trackside, starting at 8pm, September 9.