Diamond Creek Farm - 3 Diamonds

Southern Harness is excited to announce a new southern series for two-year-old pacers. The initiative led by Southern Bred Southern Reared is supported by American breeders Diamond Creek Farm who are naming right sponsors for the series.

The series will be called the Diamond Creek Farm - 3 Diamonds

The Three Races

Diamond Creek Farm Oamaru Juvenile Stakes - Wednesday 9th March, 2022 - $25,000 (New Race) - 2000m Mobile

Macca Lodge New Zealand Kindergarten Stakes - Thursday 14th April, 2022 - $50,000 (Group 2) - 1609m Mobile

Diamond Creek Farm Southern Two-Year-Old Classic - Saturday 30th April, 2022 - $60,000 (Group 2) - 2200m Mobile

“The opportunity to expand with HRNZ providing more funding to Group races allowing us to provide greater coverage for Diamond Creek Farm and Macca Lodge,” SBSR President Mark Smith said.

This race will be named the Diamond Creek Farm Oamaru Juvenile Stakes. The Oamaru Club has now joined the Southern Harness group and SBSR feels this is an opportunity to resurrect the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes which was last run in 1997 (25 years ago). It’s a race that’s steeped in history, going back to 1941. Running this race at Oamaru will also attract more two year olds from the Canterbury region, which is the main source of horses for juvenile racing in the South Island.

“With this race, a heat of the Nevele R Fillies Series, heats of the Southern Oaks and Southern Supremacy along with the Hannon, Oamaru has become a harness racing destination,” said club President Dave Ovens.

Macca Lodge New Zealand Kindergarten Stakes

The 60-year-old Kindergarten Stakes is an iconic two year old race on the New Zealand Harness Calendar.

The Kindergarten was first run in 1961 and Lordship was the first ever winner. He went on to win the 1962 and 1966 New Zealand Cups. The mighty Young Quinn won the Kindergarten Stakes in 1972 and New Zealand’s current rising super star Akuta won this year’s edition.

The Kindergarten Stakes is the third oldest two year old race nationally and this year will be worth a record stake of $50,000. It has also been upgraded to Group Two status.

“As you can see from the list of past winners it’s been a race won by our best juveniles. We’re excited about racing for $50,000 and the Kindie being a Group Two race again,” said club President Bathan Muir.

Diamond Creek Farm Southern Two-Year-Old Classic

The two previous races (above) will form a three-race Series for two-year-olds in the Southern region, which will culminate in the Diamond Creek Farm Classic which will be run in Invercargill on Saturday 30th April.

Outside of the Breeders/Owners funded Two-Year-Old races, the Diamond Creek Farm Southern Two-Year-Old Classic (Group Two) is the highest funded race for that age group at $60,000. It is the highest stakes race south of the Waitaki.

“This race is one of the fastest growing races stakes wise for juveniles. The stake in 2015 when Lazarus won was $22,000. It’s now worth $60,000 and has Group Two status. We’re really proud with how far it’s come in the short while,” said SBSR spokesperson John Stiven.

For further comment please contact John Stiven (027-468-6919) or Bruce Stewart (021-337-616)