News Briefs - March 18

A re-jig to the 2YO schedule, some training firsts, and Addington's always popular Owners Night feature in this week's News Briefs.

Changes to 2YO schedule

Two new 2YO races have been confirmed following the deletion of Friday's 2YO Fillies Mobile Pace at Addington and the 2YO Mobile Trot at Alexandra Park. At Ashburton on Wednesday, March 25 a $12,500 2YO Fillies Mobile Pace (1700 metres) has been added to the programme. It will be preferential draw – winning stakes with nominations closing at 12 noon on Friday, 20 March. And a $15,000 2YO Mobile Trot (1700 metres) has been added to Alexandra Park's programme on Friday, April 17. The race will provide an additional opportunity to bridge the three-week gap between the 2YO Mobile Trot at Cambridge on April 2 and the Young Guns Prelude at Alexandra Park on April 24. Any queries can be directed to bureau@hrnz.co.nz.

French Connection delivers at Addington

Classic Connection, an Australian-based son of legendary French sire Love You, has sired his first New Zealand winner. It came with impressive debut winner I'm Connected prepared  by Team Dunn at Addington on Friday night. Classic Connection is part of the stallion roster at Pat Driscoll's Yabby Dam Farms/ Haras des Trotteurs.

Whites open account from new base

The husband and wife training combo of David and Stacey White have had their first win since re-locating to Ashburton with Elegant Delight's maiden success at Addington on Friday night. It was the partnership's seventh start this year after the Whites made the move from Rolleston to Mid Canterbury last December. It was Elegant Delight's fifth start.

Behrns back in winning form

Pukekohe-based trainer Robbie Behrns had his first training win in more than 20 years when Fabiana won at Alexandra Park on Friday night. His last win was Hide Your Shell at Alexandra Park in 2004. Behrns has now had 45 wins overall, his first was Full Alert at Hawera in 1989. Second behind Fabiana was the Telfer-trained Tattica, a $180,000 purchase at the 2024 National Yearling Sale at Karaka.

Marshall's winning double in Victoria

Ex-pat Kiwi trainer Kyle Marshall had a weekend to remember across the Tasman. Stable star Son of Mac won at Melton on Saturday night, his seventh win in Australia since re-locating there in 2023, and then Fire Marshall broke the Charlton track record, also in Victoria, by winning the Greg Norman Memorial Pace in a mile rate of 1:54.5. It broke the record set in the previous race by Heatseeker (1:54.7).

What's in a name?

Shevchenko had an unusual double on both sides of the Tasman on Thursday night. A six-year-old filly by that name won at Penrith for driver Jett Turnbull only hours after Valentina Shevchenko won at Manawatu for trainer-driver Jay Abernethy. It was her first win in 22 starts. Valentina Shevchenko is a UFC star and one of the  world's best mixed martial arts fighters of all time.

Club News : Addington

Addington's ever popular Owners Night is back on Friday, March 27. It will be held in the Silks Room starting at 5pm with their pizza, pasta and salad selection at just $20 person. For more information contact rachel.deegan@addington.co.nz

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