News Briefs - July 10

Harness racing's five Entain finalists

Harness racing will be represented by five finalists at the first ever Entain Industry Excellence Awards in Auckland on Sunday, July 28. The Awards are open to anyone under 40 and recognises emerging leaders and high performers in all three racing codes. There were over 100 entries with 29 making the cut in nine different award categories. The five with harness racing links are Southland trainer-driver Nathan Williamson (Equine Handling), Alabar Weanling and Yearling Manager Jamie Bartlett (Dedication to Breeding), two-time champion junior driver Sarah O'Reilly (Dedication to Racing), Hamilton-based trainer-promoter-re-homer Jo Stevens, and Canterbury-based re-homer Chanelle Dickie.

To see the full list of finalists click here

Emotional win for Bet N Win

The late Katie Cox was honoured when Bet N Win extended his winning streak in the The Stellar Square (2138m) at Albion Park on Queensland on Saturday night. Driver Bob Butt wore a black armband in remembrance of Cox. Trainers David and Stacey White had a lengthy association with Cox and were thrilled to be able to honour the trainer-driver.
“To be able to do it wearing the armband for Katie was special,” David White says, "Stacey and I both had a lot to do with her and she was just a wonderful person. It was great to be able to honour her like that.”
A celebration of Cox's life is being planned at Addington Raceway on Wednesday, July 31.

Dalgety heads off to North America

Carter Dalgety has left for his scholarship-winning trip to North America. The talented 20-year-old won the Valachi Downs Young Scholarship Award and decided to use some of the $15,000 he won to travel to the USA this year. He will then go to Sweden to see the Elitloppet in 2025. While in the States Dalgety will stay with 10-time Kiwi champion and close friend Dexter Dunn and is set to drive at some of the country's iconic raceways. After leaving on Monday, Carter is expected to be way between six and eight weeks. He leaves at a time when he is leading the junior drivers' premiership with 38 wins though Sam Thornley (33) and Wilson House (28) now have a golden opportunity to close the gap. Dunn is the 10th highest stakes earner in North America this year. His stakes have just passed $3m with 107 wins, while Jason Bartlett is the leading stakes earner with $5.6m and 294 wins.

Orange first to 100?

Blair Orange looks set to become the first driver to crack the century in 2024. The six-time premiership winner won a double at Addington on Friday with Justcallmemiki and Happy Harper to go to 97 wins for the year. He is leading the premiership by seven from John Dunn, while Robert and Jenna Dunn are well ahead in the trainers' premiership. They have 94 wins this year, with Steve and Amanda Telfer next on 69.

RA goes 1-2

A Royal Aspirations-sired quinella was one of the features of Addington's meeting last Friday. The well-supported Aspirational Dream (Royal Aspirations - Anguish) had her first win at start number seven for trainer Tony Barron and driver John Morrison while the Michael Palermo-trained Royal Grace was impressive in her fast finishing second for Jonny Cox after being slow away at just her second race day start. Royal Aspirations stands at Phoebe Standardbreds in Canterbury for $2500 (or $2000 as early bid special).

Zeus wins again

The winner of last year's Waikato Flying Mile Aldebaran Zeus picked an appropriate race to get back into top form by taking out the Aldebaran Trotters Free For All at Melton in Victoria on Saturday night. It was his first win in four starts this campaign. Last year Aldebaran Zeus and Chris Alford took out the Flying Mile at Cambridge but then failed to kick off during the remaining races of his New Zealand campaign. He was sixth in the Rowe Cup won by Love N The Port. And Kiwi-bred Aroda picked a good time to produce a career best performance when he won the $106,000 Redcliffe Gold Cup on Saturday night. Offered by breeders-vendors Paul and Pauline Renwick at the 2021 National Yearling Sale, Aroda started with trainer Darren Keast before being sold to Queensland owner Greg Mitchell. Saturday's win was his 10th, and best, so far. The royally bred pacer is from the standout producer Adore To Our Dreams, who also produced multiple Group 1 winner Akuta.

Trainers and Drivers' new on-line offerings

The New Zealand Harness Trainers and Drivers' Association is beefing up its on-line presence. The Association has a new website and Facebook page.
The new website is : trainersanddrivers.co.nz
To go to their new Facebook page click here

A new bi-monthly newsletter is also being sent to Association members.

Date change for trials

There's been a change to the Rangiora trials that were set down for July 31. They will now be held at Addington on Monday July 29.

Breeding news :

Three New Zealand Standardbred Breeders' Stallion seminars are to be held around the country this month.
They are North Island - Karaka
Saturday 27th July 2024, 2pm, Garden Bar, Karaka Sales Complex
Cathie Shaw +64 27 442 6113 - [email protected]

Upper South Island – Christchurch
Sunday 28th July, 11am, Terror To Love Lounge, Addington
Rebecca Mooney 03 347 7212 - [email protected]

Southland, Invercargill
Tuesday, 30th July, 4.00pm, The Ascot Park Hotel
Gail Paisley 03 231 3462 - [email protected]