News Briefs - May 17

Age no barrier for veteran

What an absolute war horse Take After Me is. The dual gaited son of Holmes Hanover's win at Ashburton on Sunday was his 18th career victory from a mammoth 320 starts dating back to 2014. He has had four wins from 124 starts as a pacer, and 14 from 196 as a trotter. Trained by Fred Scott in North Canterbury, Take After Me has had the second most starts by a standardbred ever in this country. He is 27 starts behind Alexy (347).

Double double for Stratford-Orange

The Tony Stratford - Blair Orange combo has been on fire of late. Four of the country's leading driver's last five wins have come courtesy of Stratford's Gore stable with two recent doubles. Outback Man and Tara Victory won at Invercargill on April 29, followed by Goma Dale and Sweet Southern Lass at Winton last Saturday. Stratford now has nine wins in 2023, while Orange is a clear leader of the drivers' premiership with 70 successes, 18 ahead of John Dunn.

The big move north

After back-to-back wins in Southland, The Big Lebowski has joined Ray Green at Pukekohe. The Mach Three six-year-old had won five from 28 for Robin Swain. The Big Lebowski is owned by Merv and Meg Butterworth who also own Green's stable star, none other than two-time New Zealand Cup champion Copy That. The Big Lebowksi will debut for his new stable at Alexandra Park this Friday against the likes of Chimichurri and Nicholas Cage.

Just Believe heads off on his big OE

Australia's big hope Just Believe has started what will be a 60 hour trip to Sweden for this month's Elitloppet. The Victorian star will be just the third Australian-trained horse to compete in the world famous race, joining Sundons Gift and Maori Time. Just Believe will fly from Melbourne to Amsterdam via Singapore and then go by road through Denmark to Sweden.

Dex gets four at The Big M

After a quiet start to 2023 Dexter Dunn is back doing what he does best at the Meadowlands. The 10-time Kiwi driving champion had four winners at the Big M on Saturday night, with Walner Payton, Two Pistol Annie, Jilliby Dynamite and Lyons Pegasus. He now has 59 wins for the year in North America, worth a total $1.141m in stakes. The leading driver wins wise is Aaron Merriman with 313, while Jason Bartlett's won the most money, with over $3m in stakes from 188 wins.

Weanling fetches top bid

A Royal Aspirations-KD Spirit colt was the top lot at the last standardbred gavelhouse auction. One of seven weanlings offered up for sale by Canterbury-based Phoebe Stud, the colt sold for $11,250. Among the other lots sold was recent placegetter Ramtastic for $7000. He finished third at Manawatu in March.

Re-homing trust needs your help

The Stable to Stirrup Charitable Trust is in the middle of a fund-raising drive and the tally has just gone past $2000. Among the donors so far have been Stonewall Stud and the Millwood Nike syndicate. Based in North Canterbury, the trust rehabilitates and re-homes horses after their racing careers end.

To donate click here

Club News - Invercargill

The Invercargill Harness Racing Club host a nine-race programme at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Saturday. The first race, the Craig Heyrick at Harcourts Fillies & Mares Mobile Pace, commences at 12.05pm with the last, the Crombie Lockwood Mobile Pace, timed for 3.50pm. The feature event is the Dunstan Horse Feeds Gold Chip Final Trot over 2700 metres for a stake of $12,000.

Franklin Kidz Kartz - Notice of AGM

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Franklin Kidz Kartz will be held at the Franklin Park Café on Wednesday 21 June 2023 at 7pm.
All positions on the committee will need to be filled, including President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Committee Members, National Rep, Head Tutor, Health & Safety Officer, Registrar, Publicity Officer, Nominations Officer and Funding Officer.
If you wish to nominate someone for one of the above positions or wish to add an item of general business to the Agenda, please email [email protected]
All Nominations and Agenda items need to be received by 12 June 2023. Everyone is welcome.