News Briefs : May 21

The North Island harness racing award winners, an announcement regarding world champion Tattoo Artist and changes to race days all feature in this week's News Briefs.  

Merlin wins again 

Merlin won the top gong at the North Island Harness Racing Awards held at Cambridge Raceway on Saturday night. Trained by North Island Trainers of the Year Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan, Merlin took out Horse of the Year after winning  seven races and nearly $800,000 in 2024 including the Free For All on Show Day at Addington and the $1m Race at Cambridge' Night of Champions.  

The full list of North Island winners is : 

North Island Cadets most improved 2024 - Ollie Gregory 
North Island Cadets most promising 2024 - Holly Moralde Sands
North Island Harness Trust Cadet of the Year 2024 - Emily Johnson
Harness Racing New Zealand North Island Groom of the Year 2024 - Mathew Salaivao
Stonewall Stud and Stables North Island Owner/trainer of the Year 2024 - Fred Mitchell
Barry & Katrina Purdon North Island Owner of the Year 2024 - Richard Cole
NZB Standardbred North Island Breeder of the year 2024 - Breckon Farms
North Island Trainers & Drivers association Amateur Driver of the Year 2024 - Frank Phelan and John Kriechbaumer 
Harness Racing New Zealand North Island Junior driver of the Year 2024 - Crystal Hackett
Barry & Katrina Purdon North Island Driver of the Year 2024 - Zachary Butcher
Dunstan Horsefeeds North Island Trainer of the Year 2024 - Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan
Stonewall Stud & Stables North Island Broodmare Of The Year 2024 - O Baby
North Island Standardbred Breeders Association Stallion of the year 2024 - Bettor's Delight
Breckon Farms North Island 2YO  Pacer of the Year 2024 - Cyclone Jordy
Breckon Farms North Island 2YO Trotter of the Year 2024 - Meant To Be
Woodlands Stud NZ 3YO Pacer of the Year 2024 - Duchess Megxit
Woodlands Stud 3YO Trotter of the Year 2024 - Inasinglemoment 
Auckland Trotting Club North Island 4YO & older Pacer 2024 - Merlin
Auckland Trotting Club North Island 4YO & older Trotter 2024 - Faith In Manchester
Barry & Katrina Purdon Racing North Island Female Racing Accomplishment 2024 - Crystal Hackett
HERO North Island contribution to Life After Racing 2024 - Katie Steffert
Cambridge Raceway Outstanding contribution to harness racing - Jay Abernethy
North Island Harness Racing Owners Association Filly/mare of the year 2024 - Duchess Megxit
IRT HORSE OF THE YEAR 2024 - Merlin

(The trainer/driver awards were determined by premiership results, horses were voted on by a number of industry and media professionals.)

Tattoo Artist available in 2025 

North Canterbury-based Dancingonmoonlight Farm will be offering new season sire Tattoo Artist as part of its 2025 frozen semen line-up. Tattoo Artist is a son of Dan Patch 2YO colt of the year and world champion race horse He's Watching (1:46.4) while his dam is Stylish Artist (Artsplace), who is a dual Group 1 winner. Tattoo Artist won 40 times, with a lifetime best mark of 1:47.2. He won 23 races in 1:50.0 or faster. He will be available for $5000+GST (Payable on live foal). For more information contact Sam Langrope (0274688703) or sam@dancingonmoonlight.co.nz

Carter Dalgety places twice in Qld 

It was close but no cigar for Carter Dalgety during his hit and run mission to Brisbane on Saturday night. The star Kiwi junior had two drives for the Michael Brennan stable at Albion Park. He finished third with Maebee in Race 2 and then second with Pinny Tiger in Race 4.  Brennan has moved from Western Australia to Queensland to become private trainer for big spending owner Josh Davine.

Elitloppet just days away 

The final field has been confirmed for trotting's great race the Elitloppet in Sweden. The host country leads the way with six starters with five from France. Australian star The Locomotive will provide plenty of Antipodean interest but he is at huge odds. The TAB has him at $101 to win. The Locomotive finished third behind Arcee Phoenix and Queen Elida in the $600,000 TAB Trot at Cambridge's Night of Champions on April 4. The favourite is Francesco Zet at $2.70. The race will be held at 1.28 am on Monday morning (May 26).

Change of date for Cambridge meeting

There's been a change of date confirmed for the Waikato - Bay of Plenty Harness Inc's meeting at Cambridge next month. Originally scheduled for Thursday, June 26 it will now be held two days earlier on Tuesday, June 24.The reason for the change is a clash of dates with the NZB Standardbred Weanling Sale. The NZB National Standardbred Weanling Sale will be held in conjunction with the NZB National Thoroughbred Weanling Sale at Karaka on Thursday, June 26.

The catalogue for that sale is out now. To see more click here

New race for 2YO trotters 

A new race for the 2YO trotters has been added to the Ashburton Trotting Club's programme for the King’s Birthday Meeting on Sunday, June 1. The mobile, for non-winners, will be worth $12,500. "HRNZ is committed to providing ample racing opportunities for all horses and in this instance we identified a month's gap between opportunities for maiden 2YO trotters to race," says HRNZ's Racing and Wagering Manager Matthew Peden. "Ashburton in a fortnight was the best option to rectify that so we have added this race to their programme."

Raceday judge wanted for Otago/Southland

Southern Harness Racing is seeking a reliable, punctual, and enthusiastic individual to take on the role of Official Raceday Judge for our harness racing meetings throughout the Southland and Otago regions.

To find out more click here