Father-son excel in HRNZ's Super Stable competition

Harness Racing New Zealand's Super Stable competition has been a double success for the father-son combo of Alan and Glen Murdoch.

Alan Murdoch from New Plymouth won the overall competition, beating around 750 rivals in the process, and then gifted the main prize, a $20,000 spa from Canterbury Spa and Pool to his son Glen, who finished third overall. Jack Pitman from Christchurch was second. HRNZ would like to thank Canterbury Spa and Pool for its support.

Free to enter, the fantasy-type competition ran from October 13 to the big Grand Prix meeting at Addington on December 4 with contestants choosing 12 horses for their stable, with their combined value not exceeding $600,000.

The winner was judged purely on stakes money accrued by those selections.

Alan Murdoch invested $590,000 and returned a whopping $1,609,569.25

"I was chuffed alright," he said about taking out the overall honours.

"It was a very interesting exercise."

Among his inspired choices were Millwood Nike who returned $279,625, Don't Stop Dreaming (Merlin) $212,506, Akuta $369,100 and
Muscle Mountain $189,500. Each cost between $90,000 and $100,000.

Then there were his wildcard selections. Republican Party, Copy That and Don't Stop Dreaming returned $457,300 for a $70,000 investment.

Murdoch used to work for the TAB at an agency at Eltham in Taranaki in the 1970s and 80s.

"I'm not a big punter but I do like to follow them."

As for his winning strategy, Murdoch is being cagey.

"I am not going to give you too many of my secrets.... but the decisions were not made in five minutes."

While Murdoch lives in New Plymouth a lot of that deliberation was with his son Glen who lives in Christchurch.

"We talked a lot."

Glen ended up being third overall with $1,536,393.25

But Glen's good fortune didn't end there, and he duly received his spa pool courtesy of his father's punting prowess and generosity.

"I'm close to 80 so I didn't have much need for it."

HRNZ plans to run the fantasy competition again in 2023.