News Briefs - December 6

400 for Nairn

Paul Nairn brought up 400 wins as a trainer when Resolve won the Continental Event Hire Trotting Mares Handicap (Group 2) at Addington on Friday. The milestone came from 2145 starts, with Nairn's first training success being with Wave Goodbye in March 1987. Resolve had it all in front of her as Muscle Bank was 15 lengths clear at one stage before she rallied to snatch victory on the line. Muscle Bank's second also gave Tom Bamford his first group placing as a trainer. Of Nairn's 400 wins, a whopping 398 have come from the trotting gait, with two pacing winners, both by the dual gaited Outamyway.

New trainer for Beach Ball

IRT New Zealand Cup placegetter Beach Ball has switched stables. Co-owner, co-breeder and previous trainer Kevin Chapman, who recently had a hip operation, has officially transferred the four-year-old to Brendon "Benny" Hill at Swannanoa in North Canterbury. Hill was the horse's caretaker trainer when he finished third in Swayzee's New Zealand Cup then backed that up with another third behind Self Assured and Akuta in the Show Day Free For All. Hill is best known for his association with the likes of two-time New Zealand Cup winner Monkey King, Baileys Dream and Carabella.

Orange goes past 150, again

Franco Indie's victory in Saturday's Akaroa Cup brought up Blair Orange's 150th winner for the year. The country's leading driver, who's won the last five premierships, now has 151 wins in 2023. It's the seventh time in a row Orange has had at least 150 winners in a year with his best total being 267 in 2021. Overall he has 2648 career wins dating back to 1997.

Cya Art second, again

The former Telfer-trainer Cya Art has finished second in his Australian debut. The Art Major five-year-old was also second at Addington on New Zealand Cup day behind Don't Stop Dreaming for Cup-winning trainer Jason Grimson. On Saturday at Young in New South Wales Cya Art has his chance in front for driver Jack Trainor but was unable to hold off former Victoria Cup winner Max Delight, who won by a head after closing splits of 55.7 and 27.6.

Clock turned back at Wingatui

For the first time in nearly 40 years the Forbury Park Trotting Cup is back, and will be contested at Wingatui on Friday. The race for R51 - R80 trotters will be raced over 2000m for a stake of $20,000. The original race in 1979 was won by Hano Direct. It was last held in 1984 and won by Game Command and trainer-driver Ian Cameron.

Classie excelling in the show ring

Former champion Classie Brigade is clearly thriving in his new life. At his first show since retiring from the track the now 10-year-old and Laura Burrell came away with a stack of ribbons from the New Zealand Golden Horse Society Green Horse Show, held at Kirwee Showgrounds. Among the classes the pair won were best combination, best mannered, best newcomer and Champion Standardbred. Classie, who won 21 races including three consecutive Kaikoura Cups, retired last year.

Club News - Invercargill

A quality evening is planned when the Invercargill Harness Racing Club holds its Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup Day at Ascot Park Raceway, from 4pm on Friday 22 December.

There'll be top class racing, the opportunity to win $1000 to spend on the Cup and Ladies Fashion In The Field as well as the opportunity to host staff, family and friends on course for end of year functions.

The Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup, a Group 1 race, is the feature event on the track with a stake of $110,000.

On course patrons can win the opportunity to place a bet of up to $1000 on the Cup by taking part in a competition that was very popular last year.

It could not be easier, just drop your losing tote tickets or, alternatively a coupon from the race book, in one of the buckets around the course with your name and phone number on the back for a special draw.

The draw will be made prior to Race 5 where each ticket or coupon drawn will receive a runner in that race. Should your runner finish first in race 5 you receive $1000 to bet on the Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup. Second in the race 5 competition gets $300 to spend on the Cup and third $200.

Full details will be in the race book on race day. To enter you must be 18 years of age or older.

Ladies Fashion In The Field, supported by Craig Heyrick of Harcourts Real Estate Invercargill, is back with entries open on course until Race 3 on the day with some great prizes up for grabs. Details will be on the race book on the day.

Six contestants will be found for the final which will take place in the birdcage later in the day.

On track there are plenty more quality races with the Group 3, Brendan Franks Farrier David Moss Stakes Trot with a stake of $30,000 and the recently announced Canada Stakes for a purse of $25,000.

It will be a massive day of quality racing and quality entertainment.

The race meeting is a twilight event due to commence at 4pm, ideal for those end of year functions and get togethers.