News Briefs : October 5

Di Caprio out of Cup

Fifth in the 2020 edition of the New Zealand Cup, Di Caprio has been withdrawn from the country's biggest race at Addington on Tuesday, November 8. The seven-year-old has raced four times this year including a last start 10th in August. He was ranked 22nd in the latest list and has had some recent injury concerns with reports that there just wasn't enough time to get him ready for the Cup next month.

Winning debut for All Black

All Blacks and Crusaders prop Joe Moody has had a successful start to horse ownership. Just a day or so after becoming a part owner of Warrior Chief, the two-year-old son of Sweet Lou won at Addington for trainer Jamie Gameson at Addington last Friday, paying $69 for the win. Moody, a celebrity ambassador for HRNZ's Blue September campaign, is one of nine part owners that include his partner Georgie Bolton and Jamie's wife Natalie, who both work at HRNZ.

Fausett gets off the mark

Pukekohe-based Wayne Fausett trained his first winner when Pentatonix and Peter Ferguson saluted at Cambridge last Thursday. It was his first training success at his 48th attempt since 2016, and the horse's first win in seven starts. He paid $20.70 and $3.80. As a driver Fausett has also had 31 winners dating back to the late 1980s.

Bulldog goes 11 straight

The seemingly unstoppable Bulldog Hanover has powered to his 11th straight win in the USA. Driven by Dexter Dunn, the world record-holder had to go three wide at the home turn but still accounted for his rivals in the $250,000 Dayton Pacing Derby at Ohio over the weekend. It was his 12th win in 13 starts this year. Dunn meanwhile has climbed over $10m in stakes in 2022, second only to Tim Tetrick ($11.8m).

Telfers top $1m

B D Joe's win in the Canterbury Classic has helped push trainer Steve and Amanda Telfer's stakes for the year past the $1m mark. The brother-sister combo have now accrued $1,014,704 in stakes in 2022, with B D Joe earning $27,500 for his win last Friday night at Addington. The Telfers are leading the premiership with 73 wins for the year, nine ahead of Robert and Jenna Dunn. The Dunns have won stakes of $1,170,002 with Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen a clear leader on $2,303,225 with 61 wins for the year.

Club News - Invercargill

The Northern Southland Trotting Club hold their first meeting of the 2022/2023 season at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill this Friday (7 October) with 8 races scheduled from a 2.49pm start. It is the ideal timing to finish work early on a Friday afternoon to take in the full card with the last race of the day starting at 6.28pm.

The feature of the day is Race 7, the Haras des Trotteurs Southland Trotting Oaks, a 3yo Fillies Mobile Trot over 2200m with a stake of $20,000 timed to start at 5.55pm. Admission at the gate is free but $40 gains you access to the Top Of The Park with superb viewing and food and beverage provided as part of the price of your ticket.

Owners are welcome in the Alabar Owners Room on the first floor of the main grandstand where they can enjoy hospitality throughout the day. There is still some hospitality spaces available and further information can be provided by contacting Lindsay Beer, Southern Harness Racing’s Promotions Officer on 021 351 499 or at [email protected]

Head to the Northern Southland Trotting Club facebook page for more information on a great day of action.