News Briefs : August 21

The retirement of Five Wise Men, Just Believe's winning streak, and a big test for an Australian IRT NZ Trotting Cup contender all feature in this week's News Briefs.

FWM officially retired

Multiple Group 1-winning trotter Five Wise Men has been retired. On-going suspensory issues have sidelined the Muscle Hill six-year-old since his last start second at Omakau in central Otago in January last year. Earlier this week he was in the field for the XCM-Basil Dean Trotting Free-for-all at Addington Raceway on Friday night but he was scratched earlier today. It was then announced that his racing days are now over. Aimee Edmonds, who co-trained Five Wise Men with her father Craig, posted : "Today our champ is officially retired Eddie you were a star off and on the track! You gave us all the ride of a life time with your absolute will to win and your gentle and kind nature."
Five Wise Men had nine wins from 26 starts including three Group 1s - the 3YO Ruby, the Northern Trotting Derby and the NZ Trotting Derby. At one stage he won eight in a row, and was named 3YO and 4YO Trotter of the Year in 2021 and 2022. He was also third in the 2022 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot, behind Sundees Son and Muscle Mountain.
"You owe us nothing and deserve the best home which we will make sure you get," wrote Aimee Edmonds, "Dad did an amazing job with you. Also to everyone at the beach who has helped look after you especially Jen (Jenna Dunn), John (Dunn) and Korbs (Korbyn Newman). Forever our one in a million."

Vale Noel Fox

Harness Racing New Zealand would like to send its condolences to the family of Noel Fox, who died earlier this month. A member of the Thames Harness Racing Club for half a century, he was made a life member in 2015. He served terms as both President and Vice President. He also served as a trustee on the Harness Horse Cadet Trust which was funded by grants from the clubs racing at Alexandra Park and assisted young people making their way in the industry. He was a trustee for 18 years and chairman for 15. Noel Fox was 88.

Winning sequence continues for champion trotter

Champion trotter Just Believe made it two wins in just three days to kick-start his campaign aimed at the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington Raceway on IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup Day on Tuesday, November 12. Fresh from returning with an easy Melton win last Saturday night, the eight-year-old cruised home again in the Group 3 Shepparton Trotters’ Cup last night (Tuesday). It took his record this season to 13 starts for 11 wins and two seconds. He’s won 34 of 78 lifetime starts and banked almost $1.7 million. Meanwhile Kiwi bred-and-owned trotting mare Queen Elida returns to racing at Melton on Saturday night. Queen Elida, who ran a close third to Just Believe in the inaugural TAB Trot at Cambridge on April 2, hasn’t started since a second in the Group 1 Macarthur Mile at Menangle on May 4.

Big test for Major Moth

Major Moth's IRT NZ Trotting Cup credentials will be a lot clearer after this weekend. The former star juvenile has set tongues wagging with two sparkling Albion Park wins from as many starts since joining the Jason Grimson stable. Now Major Moth steps up to by far his biggest test so far in a ripping 2300m free-for-all at Menangle, Sydney’s home of harness racing on Saturday night. A lot of interest will centre around boom WA four-year-old Never Ending, who has drawn gate 10. The runs deeper than just the glamour pair with talented former Kiwi Simply Sam drawn one, classy four-year-old Captains Knock in three, another former Kiwi Bach drawn four and former Miracle Mile emergency Curly James in eight. Later on the card, former star Kiwi mare Aardies Express returns from a short let-up. Now trained by Jason Grimson, Aardies Express hasn’t started since a huge second in the Group 1 Golden Girl at Albion Park on July 20.

Boost for mares' classic

There's been a $10,000 boost in stakes for the NZ Sires' Stakes Bob McArdle Southern Mares Classic to be held on Show Day, November 15 at Addington Raceway. The race will go from $50,000 to $60,000. The race is named in honour of McArdle, the late Bromac Lodge founder, bloodstock agent and industry stalwart, and has been held annually since 2014, when it was won by Helena Jet.

100 wins for Dunns

Fusion Reactor's victory in the first race (Trackside Dining Available 30th August Mobile Pace) at Addington Raceway on Friday night gave the training combo of Robert and Jenna Dunn their 100th win of the season. It came from their 494th start in 2024. The Dunns lead the premiership with 100 wins exactly, 21 clear of Steve and Amanda Telfer. Six-time champion driver Blair Orange leads the drivers' premiership on 109 wins, with John Dunn next on 98, while Sam Thornley now has a two win led over Carter Dalgety on 40 wins. Dalgety is still in North America on a working holiday.

Williamson back in winner's circle

Junior driver Charlotte Williamson had her first win in more than four years when she reined home Majesdix at the Kurow meeting at Oamaru on Sunday. It was her first driving success since Sheeza Sport at the same course in February 2020. Majesdix is trained by husband Matty Williamson at Oamaru. Charlotte's race day appearances of late have been limited on account of the Williamson clan that now includes three youngsters, Charlie (1), Leila (3) and Sadie (5). The stable has been on fire this year with 29 training successes in 2024, while Matty's had 45 driving wins as well.

10 winners in a day

What a day Hall of Famer Yannick Gingras had at Harrah’s Philadelphia in North America last Friday. He drove 10 winners, equalling the raceway's one-day record set by George Napolitano Jr. on November 11, 2009 and again on September 17, 2015. Gingras won the first seven contests on the card. He now has 280 wins and is the top stakes earner at over $8m for the year. Ex-pat Kiwi Dexter Dunn is currently fourth in the stakes' list at $5.8m. He has 188 wins in 2024.

Shuttle stallions arrive ahead of breeding season

Woodlands Stud's five shuttle sires have arrived from North America ahead of the upcoming breeding season. The star-studded line up features Bettor's Delight, Sweet Lou, Downbytheseaside, Lather Up and What The Hill. They will have two weeks in quarantine before heading to the stud's farm at Clevedon. This is Bettor's Delight's last shuttle. He will remain in this country with Woodlands Stud providing him a home for life.

Sky dive for Blue September

Three of the country's high fliers Blair Orange, Robbie Close and Jonny Cox will be jumping out a plane at 18,000 feet next Monday. It's not just for the fun of it - they are all Blue September ambassadors and will be raising awareness around the Prostate Cancer Foundation's annual fund-raiser. There'll be coverage of the skydive near Auckland on hrnz's social media channels and on the website. The first Blue September meeting will be at Ashburton on Sunday, September 1.