News Briefs : June 7

Vale Keith Beveridge

Harness Racing New Zealand would like to send its condolences to the family of Keith Beveridge. A true hobby trainer, Beveridge had three winners - Spry Lad, Princess Rashad and Stoney Gold - from 164 starters between the late 1980s and 2016. Beveridge worked as a carpenter for the then Ministry of Works in Westport and trained his horses at Patterson Park before moving to Christchurch about 25 years ago.
"Keith was a good old Buller battler," says his nephew Phil who's also a harness racing trainer, "he was a great bloke, and tough."
"He'd give anything a go ... and his horses always looked fantastic."
Keith Beveridge's funeral was last Friday. He was 79.

Big numbers for northern mare

Six win mare Miki Montana is at the centre of some serious bidding in the latest standardbred gavelhouse auctions. She's one of 14 lots that close tonight from 7pm. So far she's attracted a number of bids, with the leading one currently at $45,000. Advertised as a broodmare or race horse Miki Montana is a four-year-old daughter of Always B Miki who has won $137,598. The owners have decided to "move her on". The latest of six career wins was at Cambridge on April 6,2023.

Ex Kiwi mare "amazing"

Amazing Dream is now the third highest earning horse in North America for 2023. A multiple Group winner in this country, the now seven-year-old has had four wins in seven starts this year to accrue $244,500 in stakes. That puts her behind Hellabalou and Covered Bridge at $336,450 and $279,060 respectively. Amazing Dream's fastest mile this year has been 1:51.8.

Win one for busy trotter

It's taken a while but the ever busy three-year-old filly, The Fiery Countess has finally registered a win, at start number 41. She was impressive too, in what was her Cambridge debut last Friday night. It was just her fourth start for northern trainers Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett after starting out with owner-breeder-trainer-driver Alan Clark. She cleared out to win by three lengths for driver Crystal Hackett.

Twist heading to Canada

Well performed filly Twist Little Girl will do her future racing in North America. The Vincent - Twist and Shout three-year-old was bought as a weanling for $850 in 2020 and heads to Canada as a three race winner, with earnings of $32,275. Her last start was a fifth in the Northern Oaks won by the unbeaten Milwood Nike at Alexandra Park in March.

Bob Butt's big day at Addington

The Bob Butt Racing Stables race day at Addington on Sunday has thrown up a few interesting race names. For instance the Likety Split Mobile Pace is named after stable hand Craig "Likety" Smith, the Nice Drive Winky Mobile Trot is a reference to race caller Matt 'Winky" Cross and the TJ Gotta Be Gone by 10 Handicap Pace refers to Tarryn Jones who works at the stables before heading to her day job at Tarryn Jones Equestrian.

Ladies Night fast approaching

Always a favourite, Ladies Night is little over a week away. It will be held at Addington Raceway on Friday, June 23. Costing $89 each the night includes a glass of champagne on arrival, a buffet dinner, a goodie bag and more. Doors open at 5pm. for more details go to addington.co.nz