News Briefs : March 8

Vale Maurice Kerr and Peter Marshall

Two stalwarts of southern harness racing, Maurice Kerr and Peter Marshall, are being remembered for their long and valued contributions to the sport. A breeder, owner and committee member for many years, Maurice Kerr died in Gore last week. According to southernharness.co.nz he also drove 206 winners - the first being Belle Vue in 1962 and his last Hayden Supreme in September 2011 - and trained 175 winners over a span of 40 years from 1977. Among his good winners were Glen Moria and Missed Again. And Peter Marshall died in February. Among his best horses was nine race winner Home First. He was a great sponsor of harness racing in Southland. Included in his sponsorships was the Southern Supremacy Stakes between 1992 and 1999. Harness Racing New Zealand would like to send its condolences to both families.

Trotting stud books for sale

An unusual trotting find has come to light at the Red Cross Op Shop in Carlyle Street in Napier. It has been gifted reprints of the NZ Trotting Stud Book volumes 1 to 10. Volume 1 was originally printed in 1905 and volume 10 in 1934. All 10 books are in brown leather covers and in excellent condition. Any money raised from their sale will go to the Cyclone Gabrielle Flood Relief Fund. For more information contact [email protected] / 027 6325996.

Stallion nominations raise money for Cyclone Relief Fund

A total of $19,000 was raised for the Cyclone Gabrielle Relief Fund from the Gavelhouse auctions last week. Nevele R, Alabar and Woodlands auctioned off stallion nominations to Captain Crunch, Downbytheseaside and Sweet Lou. They fetched between $5500 and $8000 each.

NZ record for Sacred Mountain

Sacred Mountain broke the New Zealand record with her emphatic win at Alexandra Park on Friday night. Trained and driven by Nicky Chilcott, she stopped the clock for the 2200m at 2:46.2, beating She Reign's previous record of 2:46.6. Sacred Mountain has now won eight from 41 and $92,409 in stakes.

Great start to 2023 for Nandolo

Nandolo N made it 25 wins from 94 starts when the former Kiwi won at the Meadowlands over the weekend in 1:49.8. The now nine-year-old was exported to the USA after winning nine times here between 2018-2021. He also started in the 2020 New Zealand Cup won by Self Assured. Nandolo has the fastest mile rate of the year so far by winning at the Big M in January in 1:48.6.

NI awards this weekend

The North Island harness racing awards are being held at Cambridge Raceway this Saturday, with doors opening at 6pm. Because of Covid-enforced restrictions the very best performers and performances from the past three years will be celebrated, culminating in the North Island Harness Horse of the Year.

Get wrapped in Teal

Ten Team Teal-themed scarves/snoods are up for sale, and according to their creator and southern racing identity Art Bloxham they are "collectors items". Team Teal is all about raising money for ovarian cancer research. Bloxham, a regular donor to the cause, was responsible for sourcing and preparing the wool and fibres used in the scarves. They are all different. They will be up for sale until the last day of the current campaign, March 15. Currently the highest bid for one of the scarves/snoods is $250. All proceeds will go to the campaign.

Anyone interested in getting involved can click on the auction here