News Briefs - November 29

The Houses win - thrice

Until a week or so ago Wilson House had never driven more than two winners at any one meeting. Then he bagged two trebles within days at Manawatu with Boyz Invasion, Ask Me Lazarus and Bonney Eloise winning on November 21, and then Boyz Invasion, Doctor Tim and Full Of Desire on November 23. Between the two trebles, his father Michael House won an amateur drivers' race on November 22 at Rangiora with Beaudiene Quick Step, who he also trains. Wilson now has 27 wins for the year to be eighth in the junior drivers' premiership, while Michael House is fourth in the trainers' premiership with 56 wins.

Isolate dies suddenly

Talented trotting filly Isolate has died after experiencing unexplained health problems, including a fluctuating temperature. Despite treatment she died earlier this week. With two Group 3 wins in five starts, the Father Patrick three-year-old had shown enormous potential in her career to date for trainer Phil Williamson. Such was her ability that in her Hambletonian Classic win at Ashburton in October she set a new national record of 2:03.3 for the 1700 metres. An autopsy will be held to try and determine the cause of death.

Confederate upstaged by stablemate

Confederate's winning streak is over after North America's boom three-year-old was beaten by the so-called "big boys" at the Meadowlands over the weekend, with Allywag Hanover upsetting at big odds. Both are trained by ex-pat Kiwi Brett Pelling. Confederate won 13 from 15 this year and was on an 11-race winning streak before the weekend. His best mile rate of 1:46.2 makes him the fastest three-year-old pacer in history. He will head to stud in 2024 and had his retirement ceremony post race. He is set to be named 2023 Horse of the year.

Dunn moves to third

Another ex-pat Kiwi Dexter Dunn is now the third highest winning driver in North America this year. After another successful weekend he is now at 214 wins for the year with combined stakes of $10.8m. That takes him up one spot to third overall, with only Yannick Gingras ($14.7m) and Tim Tetrick ($13.5m) ahead of him.

Stewart cleans up in Victoria

It was only fitting Major Delight gave Emma Stewart a clean sweep of the Breeders Crown Pacing finals at Melton, Victoria on Saturday night. The powerful stable won all four finals, with Major Delight unashamedly one of Stewart's stable favourites. She sat parked to beat classy stablemate Joyful, who is raced by, among others, high profile Kiwi trainer Cran Dalgety. Major Delight's record is now 16 wins from 19 starts.

NZSBA AGM

The New Zealand Standardbred Breeders AGM will be held at Twiggers at Addington Raceway from 11 am on Sunday, December 10. It will be held prior to the massive Grand Prix day at Addington which features eight Group 1s.

For more information click here 

Gavelhouse auction closes tonight

Two-race winner Ordained is among 10 lots being offered on gavelhouse standardbred.com. The latest auctions close from 7pm tonight with Ordained currently at $2900. Another race winner Ruby Malone is also up for sale.

To see the latest catalogue click here :

Club News : Invercargill

It will be a quickfire programme when the Fast Ten format is used for the Invercargill Harness Racing Club meeting at Ascot Park Raceway today (Wednesday, November 29). The first of nine races is scheduled for 3.56pm with the last at 6.16pm.

With everything done in a tick over two hours it is an ideal midweek outing.

For any queries contact :

Lindsay Beer
Promotions Officer
Southern Harness Racing
021 351 499

Club News : Methven

The Methven Christmas meeting on Sunday December 3 is rapidly approaching and the track and surrounds should be in tip top condition on the day. The feature races are the Methven Four Square and Food Store Pacer’s Green Mile and the Dancinginthedark @ Aldebaran Methven Trotters Green Mile. There is the usual myriad of entertainment including egg and spoon races, lolly scrambles, balloon man ,Father Christmas and the entertaining and hilarious ‘Babes in Barrows’. Barbecues and and picnics will be the order of the day.