News Briefs - June 21

Centurion ATM stock makes NZ debut

The only New Zealand progeny of trotting stallion Centurion ATM has made her first appearance on the track for Pukekohe trainer Owen Gillies. The three-year-old trotting filly, Caviar Noire, took it all in her stride in her first learner workout, running her last 400m comfortably in 30.9.

“She stepped nicely, trotted well, and did everything right, we will look to qualify her and hopefully head to the races” says Gillies.

The filly’s ownership group includes three Gillies siblings, Jan, Gary, and Owen, alongside Grant Ellison and Ken Mackay. Jan and Ken were both involved in the breeding group of Caviar Noire, who is the first foal out of Valle De La Luna, a lightly raced Skyvalley mare who had just 9 starts for 3 placings.

“Ken actually had a free service to Centurion ATM and had two potential mares to breed with, but Valle De La Luna was scanned and was ready to be served, and this filly is the result” says Gillies.

Centurion ATM broke the World Record as a two-year-old recording 1.53.4 over the mile when winning the Peter Haughton Memorial at the Meadowlands. He had lifetime earnings of $728,894. By SJ’s Caviar, Centurion ATM is out of ENS Tag Session, a mare who has left three horses that now stand at stud.

Krug's record broken in Queensland

Leap To Fame obliterated the track record at the small triangular track at Redcliffe over the weekend. Settling last the star pacer came three and then four wide to win easily for trainer-driver Grant Dixon in a 1:53.4 mile rate for 2280m. That beat Manila Playboy's record, set last year, at 1:55.8. It was also quicker than Kiwi pacer Krug’s track record of 1min54.4sec for the shorter 2040m trip around Redcliffe. Leap To Fame, acclaimed by some as the best horse in the world right now, has won 20 of 26 starts and is unbeaten in three runs this season.

Top trotter off to Aussie

Well performed trotter Majestic Lavros will do his future racing in Australia. A nine race winner for Derek and Adele Jones, Majestic Lavros has gone to Shaun Gillespie's stables in Queensland. Among his victories was the Group 3 South Bay Trotters Cup at Kaikoura in 2020.

Kiwi-bred delights in Ohio

It was career win number 20 for Kiwi-bred mare A Delightful Act N when she won in North America over the weekend. The victory at the MGM Northfield Park in Ohio pushed her career earnings to $307,058. The winner of four of 30 in this country, the Bettor's Delight mare was exported to North America in July 2021.

Eagle lands first winner

Aldebaran Eagle sired his first winner in New Zealand, with Aldebaran Pippi winning the last at Alexandra Park last Thursday night. Trained by Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett, and driven by daughter Crystal, it was the first win by the three-year-old filly (Aldebaran Eagle - Petite's Legacy) in 12 starts. Aldebaran Eagle was a top performer in North America, winning almost $240,000, with a lifetime mark of 1:52.4 as a three-year-old winning at the Meadowlands. He was one of the first crop of Muscle Hill.

20 wins between leaders

There's exactly a 20 win difference between the top three drivers in the country. Defending champion Blair Orange has 80 wins for the year to have a clearcut lead, from John Dunn on 60 and top junior driver Sarah O'Reilly on 40. In the trainers' premiership Robert and Jenna Dunn have 64 wins in 2023, 25 ahead of Mark and Nathan Purdon with Michael House third on 38.

Big bids for well-bred broodmares

The latest gavelhouse standardbred auction closes tonight, and two lots in particular are attracting a lot of interest. Carlas Pixel (in foal to Captaintreacherous) is currently at $157,500, a gavelhouse standbred broodmare record, and Moet Girl (in foal to Captain Crunch) is currently at $40,00. There are 16 lots in all that finish tonight, from 7pm

To see the auction click here