Peter and Janet Argus heading to THE ASCENT

THE ASCENT and THE VELOCITY are the brand new $500,000 slot races that will be a big part of the Show Day Twilight race meeting at Addington Raceway on Friday, November 15. The slots for the two races for the three-year-old trotters and pacers were snapped up in quick time - so who are the people behind the names? Over the next few weeks we will profile many of the slot holders.

Today it is Peter and Janet Argus

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

Top filly Empire City has been confirmed as heading to the $500,000 THE ASCENT at Addington Raceway on Friday, November 15 though co-breeder Peter Argus knows it's not going to be an easy watch.

"I get very nervous on race day," Argus says, "I tend to stand by myself and as they get to the finish I tend to yell a lot."

"It's only after the race that I calm down again."

Empire City has already taken Peter and wife Janet Argus (pictured above, on the left) on quite the ride. When the opportunity came up to buy a $30,000 slot in THE ASCENT they didn't hesitate.

"We thought it would be much better to get a slot and organise things ourselves - it was a no brainer really."

Being a filly Empire City gets in well under the race conditions and is guaranteed a good draw - just how good depends on how many fillies end up taking on the colts.

Peter and Janet Argus bred Empire City themselves. She's the second foal out of Liberty City, the first being eight race winner American Muscle.

Empire City was intended to go through the sales ring but didn't make it so the Argus retained ownership before sending her to master trotting trainer Phil Williamson at Oamaru.

"It was a blessing in disguise," says Peter Argus.

So far she's won eight races and $221,837.

When it comes to breeding, Peter does most of the homework with the trotters while Janet specialises with the pacers. Together they have bred or co-bred around 20 horses

"Empire City's the best we've bred by far."

Other success stories have included Alotbettor (Bettor's Delight - Falcon's Flybye). He won three in this country before heading to Australia. He's now won 49 from 217 starts and over $650K.

Originally from Australia, where Peter rode some trackwork as a youngster, the Arguses moved to New Zealand about 45 years ago and Peter became interested in harness racing. Their interests snowballed.

Both worked for New Zealand Steel at Glenbrook for many years with Peter currently a groundsman for New Zealand Bloodstock at Karaka.

In seven weeks or so the Arguses will be trackside at Addington. Peter will be nervous but hoping for the best as Australasia's premier three-year-old trotters battle it out for a first prize of $210,000.

"All you can hope for is a bit of lady Luck," says Peter Argus, "or no bad luck!"

To see the profile on another slot holder The Pukekohe Punter click here