News Briefs - May 1

Mach Shard's divvy goes top three

Mach Shard's massive dividend in last Friday's Dawson Harford Taylor Mile appears to be the third highest ever in harness racing in this country. Rated 11/12 in the betting Mach Shard paid $155.20 in winning the Group 1 feature by three quarters of a length. According to HRNZ records the return is the third highest all-time behind All Aces at Richmond Park in 1998, paying $173.70 and Northview Gambler at Addington in 2015, paying $165.00.

Crystal sparkles in Oz

And Mach Shard's driver Crystal Hackett has followed up her first ever Group 1 by notching up a victory across the Tasman this week as well. She won at Yarra Valley in Victoria with Leavemeout on Monday. She has 12 wins in this country in 2024 to be the fifth ranked junior driver, with Carter Dalgety leading the way with 26.

100 wins for Purdons

The father-son combo of Mark and Nathan Purdon secured their 100th training success when Demon Blue won at Alexandra Park last Friday. The century came from 348 starts, starting with Don't Stop Dreaming at Addington in May 2023. With 17 wins in 2024 the Purdons are currently eighth on the trainers' premiership, with a two way tie at the top. Both Robert and Jenna Dunn and Steve and Amanda Telfer are on 61 wins. It's more clear cut in the drivers' premiership with Blair Orange on 66, and John Dunn second on 52.

Two wins in three days

What a week it's been for former race mare and now broodmare Here We Go Again. Two of her progeny have been in winning form, with Warrior Chief (Sweet Lou - Here We Go Again) winning at Addington on Friday and Remission (Betting Line - Here We Go Again) winning her first race at Rangiora on Sunday. Both horses were bred by Graeme Trist and Jamie and Natalie Gameson, with Jamie training both from his Burnham stables. It was Warrior Chief's fourth win in 14 starts. Here We Go Again (Mach Three - Kym's Girl) won 11 races and nearly $200,000 between 2011 and 2017, including the Group 2 Peter Breckon Memorial Ladyship Stakes for the 3YO Fillies at Alexandra Park in 2011. As well as Warrior Chief and Remission her other winning progeny are Mamma Mia and Emma's Girl.

Four Wise Women keeps winning sequence going

Five win Sundon mare Harriet Hughes produced yet another race day winner when Four Wise Women won on debut at Rangiora on Sunday. Trained by Craig and Aimee Edmonds, the three-year-old went straight to the front in the Anne Thompson Graduation Series Heat before taking a trail behind Spotlight and then taking advantage of the passing lane to win by nearly two lengths. The four wise women the horse is named after are co-trainer Aimee Edmonds, her sister Jenna Dunn, Craig's wife Donna and Dr Mitsy Taylor. The stable also trains The Five Wise Men (Muscle Hill - Harriet Hughes), who has won nine races including three Group 1s but hasn't been seen on race day since January last year because of a leg injury. Harriet Hughes' other progeny have included Harriet Of Mot (Monarch) - 15 wins and Muscles Galore (Muscle Mass)- 6 wins. Another quality trotter The Dominator has been retired, after 125 starts. The 10-year-old gelding won 15 races, including the 2020 Green Mile at Methven, for trainer and co-owner Donna Williamson, accruing over $215K in stakes. His last start was an eighth at Oamaru last December.

Weanling sale this month

NZB Standardbred's National Weanling Sale is now just three weeks away. A total of 106 weanlings will go under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday, May 23. Recent graduates from the sale include Aardiebytheseaside and Alta Meteor. The catalogue for the sale is now online.

It can be seen here

Club News : Addington

Addington Raceway is inviting all owners to a special function on Friday, May 10. Hosted in the Christian Cullen Lounge on Level 1 of the Metropolitan Stand, this event will include some great prizes - among them 7 nights accommodation at Peninsular Beachfront Resort at Mooloolaba Beach, a $40,000 insurance voucher from NZB, and some TAB betting vouchers. Everyone will get a welcome drink and it is free to attend with an optional $25 one-plate buffet which can be purchased on the night.

To book a spot go to : addington.co.nz/owners-night-2024

And on Friday, June 21 Addington will be hosting its annual Ladies Night. Included in the ticket is entry into Silks Lounge, a glass of Lanson Champagne on arrival, a goodie bag for every guest, access to the Fashion Competition, a buffet dinner and entertainment provided by the Court Theatre, "Ladies' Night" cast. Beverages can be purchased on the night from the bar with eftpos, debit or credit card. Doors open at 5:00pm.

More details will be available shortly at addington.co.nz

Club News - Riverton

Everyone is welcome at the Riverton Trotting Club meeting at Central Southland Raceway in Winton on Saturday (4 May) but while many southern men may well be away duck shooting, ladies will be especially welcome with a free glass of wine for all ladies on arrival. Racegoers can also head along to the Southland Widows Weekend Pop Up Market at the Middle Pub in Winton before popping out to the course for an afternoon of great harness racing action. On arrival, ladies only need pop into the Secretary’ Office by the birdcage to pick up a voucher for their free wine. The ten-race card starts at 11.53am and among the highlights are the Bill Keast Memorial Gold Chip Final Handicap Trot for a stake of $15,000 over a distance of 2400m.

The action is back at Winton the following Saturday, 11 May, when the Winton Harness Racing Club host the annual Southland Master Plumbers Assn race day at the course and the action continues in a busy month at the Central Southland Raceway a fortnight later on Saturday 25 May. Admission to all three meetings is free and hospitality opportunities are available each time for groups either large or small by contacting Southern Harness Racing’s Promotions Officer, Lindsay Beer on 021 351 499.