News Briefs - Jan 20

By Dave Di Somma - Harness News Desk

Aladdin on the move

After his impressive win in the Harness Million at Alexandra Park, Aladdin is moving stables. Formerly trained by the All Stars (Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen) the Sweet Lou gelding won the Harness Million for driver Tim Williams, from Shan Noble and American Dealer on New Year's Eve. Now the gelding, who's won three from 12 starts, will be trained by Peter and Vaughan Blanchard at Pukekohe. Peter Blanchard had also recently negotiated the sale of the horse to new owners, Australian-based AB and T Cormack Racing Pty Ltd.

Kayla to be a mum

Seven win mare Ruthless Kayla has run her last race and is off to the broodmare paddock. The Muscle Mass seven-year-old had 71 starts for trainer Kevin Fairbairn, her last win being on Show Day in 2019. She last raced in August last year and leaves the racetrack with career earnings of $128,790. She was placed in the two and three-year-old PGG Wrightsons yearling sales finals with her biggest acheivement being victory in the listed PGG Wrightsons Uncut Gems trotters classic at Addington in 2019.

Trainor lands betting plunge

In-form expat Kiwi driver Jack Trainor came in for some big support and he didn’t disappoint when Fox Trot Hill won at Menangle yesterday. After opening at $12 the four-year-old Muscle Hill mare came into $2.80 on the fixed odds, with the favourite being One Night Out for the all conquering driver-trainer combo of Luke McCarthy and Craig Cross. And punters had little reason to worry with Fox Trot Hill spearing to the lead and then holding off a mid-race challenge by the favourite to win from a galloping Simone De Beauvoir. It was Fox Trot Hill’s sixth win in 19 starts for trainer John Ogden, and one of two winners for Trainor on the day.

Shartin’s full brother shines

Knockawaron, a younger full brother to former USA Horse of the year Shartin, has won his first public appearance in style. The four-year-old gelding, now being prepared by Tim Butt in Sydney, won his trial at Menangle in 1:54.9, the second fastest of the day. Knockawaron, like Shartin, was bred by Canterbury’s Grant Crabbe and is by Tintin In America, out of Bagdarin.

Clotworthy drives first winner in QLD

Ex-pat Kiwi driver Sam Clotworthy’s had his first winner in the Sunshine State. After a background in thoroughbreds and working for the Gai Waterhouse and Anthony Cummings stables (among others) Clotworthy’s now based in Queensland where he’s had his first driving success with Harpagus at Albion Park. Before moving to Queensland he’d been based in Tasmania.

Signs all good for Little Green Jug

The Methven Trotting Club reports that recent rain has its Mt Harding track in tip top condition, with a good sole of grass, for its next meeting on January 31. The highlight of the next meeting will be the Lather Up Little Green Jug 3 year old Stakes worth $15,000 and raced over a mobile mile for 3 year olds rating 65 and below.