Harness Scene Archives

Zac Butcher takes a hat trick at Tauherenikau

Local Cambridge junior driver, Zac Butcher had his most successful day in the sulky, bagging three winners at the seven-race Wairarapa Harness Racing Club's meeting at Tauherenikau on Friday. The talented 17-year-old is only in his second season of driving after having just two drives in 2007-2008.

Butcher won the second, fourth and sixth races today behind the Michelle Wallis trained Benromach; the Tony Shaw trained Trusty Courage; and the John Peary trained Soaring Falcon. Butcher, the eldest son of multiple Group One-winning driver David, and grandson of legendary trainer, John, has now had seven wins and 10 placings from 82 career drives. The former St John's (Hamilton) student, who is also a gifted rugby player and cricket, has an enormous future in harness racing.

Duane Ranger (editor) Harnesslink

Dr Michael Wilson presents a cheque - of $6316.92 to Waikato Hospice CEO, Elizabeth Bang.

Auckland Reactor's $6316.92 donation

Two of Auckland Reactor's Canadian owners, Dr Michael Wilson and his wife Dr Julie Yager, flew in from Sydney especially to watch their champion race live for the first time at Cambridge Raceway tonight (Friday).

Auckland Reactor's 11 owners hail from Canada (seven), USA (two), and Australia and New Zealand one each, but this was the first time any owner other than John Curtin of New Zealand had seen the brilliant son of Mach Three race in the flesh.

"I've owned and bred a lot of horses since the mid-1980s but I don't think I've had a better one than Auckland Reactor. He's a brilliant racehorse and even though he lost it is a privilege to see him race live," said Dr Wilson, who has a 10 per cent share.

After tonight's the Group II $60,000 Jardine Bloodstock 4yo Futurity Stakes, Dr Wilson presented a cheque of $6316.92 to the chief executive of the Waikato Hospice, Elizabeth Bang.

Curtin had earlier stated that the Auckland Reactor Syndicate would donate 10 per cent of Auckland Reactor's winnings from his three night's racing at Cambridge Raceway (January 2, 9, and 16). He ended the three nights of racing with two firsts and a second and his career record now stands at 18 starts for 17 wins and a second.

Bang was delighted with the act of kindness.

"This is a huge gesture and we are delighted with the kindness shown by you and the owners. It's just a shame he couldn't win again tonight. This money will be very well used. We are humbled," Bang said.

Duane Ranger (editor) Harnesslink

Awesome Armbro Congratulatory Kiss

CAMBRIDGE DOES IT WELL!!!!

A member of the ATC Syndicate is warmly congratulated by Cambridge/Te Awamutu Harness Racing committee member, Cathie Shaw, after they won the 2700m Trillian Trust Handicap Pace, at Cambridge Raceway last Thursday night , with the very talented 6yr old gelding, Awesome Armbro (Armbro Operative –Abbeybell), Driven by David Butcher and trained at Pukekohe by Geoff Small, this was the sixteenth win for the horse.

Time for the race was 3.26.1 for the 2700m (ss) with fast last sectionals of 56.2 and 26.3 Awesome Armbro off 40 metres behind, was back early, moved up to sit in the one/one a mile from home, pulled out at the top of the home straight and put in a huge run blitzing the opposition to win by two lengths from Mr Ricky, with All Tiger third...

Shikaka - with caretaker trainer Sean

McCaffrey repays Macau debt 29 years later

It's taken almost 29 years but Sean McCaffrey has finally paid back his good old South Island trotting mate, Doug Purdon. Purdon got McCaffrey a job working with standardbreds in Macau back in 1980. Today McCaffrey believes the ledger was finally squared at Thames.

"Call me a slow payer, but I finally feel good about getting that job in Macau. It might have taken amore than 28 years but Doug's a good mate and he won't mind the slow pay-back, I'm sure. I'm rapt I could finally win one for him after a few years of trying," Cambridge-based McCaffrey said.

McCaffrey has been campaigning the Purdon-trained Shikaka in the North Island for Christchurch-based Purdon since the 5-year-old Village Jasper mare came north to the Manawatu meeting on October 30.

Today Shikaka and driver Gavin Smith proved too strong in the Coromandel Fillies and Mares Mobile for one-to-two-win pacers. She's now had nine starts in the north this campaign for a win and two thirds. Her only other win was at Rangiora back in July.

Shikaka hinted of better things to come when third for Gene Robb at Wanganui seven days earlier. Today she beat Nikiesha (Maurice McKendry) and Fleeting Moment (Jay Abernethy) by one-and-a-quarter lengths and half a length.

McCaffrey said he would continue to race her on the grass right through until the Otaki meeting on February 1.

"She's a fairly nice mare but has a few issues. Doug did the right thing sending her north because she's definitely a grass track specialist. She can win again," McCaffrey said. The big black paced the 1700m mobile in 2:13.7 (mile rate: 2:06.5) with final 800m and 400m sectionals of 63.3 and 29.6 seconds.

Aranui-based Purdon, who is a distant relation to the infamous Roy, Barry and Mark Purdon, is a security employee at Christchurch Airport. Today's win was his first for the season and fourth since first taking out his trainer's licence in 1988-89. He's also driven three race-day winners, all three in the 1986-87 season.

Duane Ranger (editor) Harnesslink

AUCKLAND REACTOR WOWS THE CROWD AT CAMBRIDGE AND SETS NEW TRACK RECORD

A huge crowd flooded to Cambridge Raceway on Friday night to see New Zealand’s champion pacer, Auckland Reactor, win the Group 2, Sky City Waikato Flying Mile; smashing the track record for the mile, held by Elsu since 2004. They certainly weren’t let down, with the race proving to be every bit the exciting spectacle they had come to see.

Trainer driver, Mark Purdon, drove the colt to win his 16th consecutive race, setting a new Cambridge track record of 1.53.5; This broke Elsu’s time of 1.53.67 set in the same race in 2004, and also equaled the New Zealand record for the mile held by Scuse Me, a mare who was also trained by Mark Purdon and paced the time at Auckland in 1998.

Auckland Reactor, 4year old son of Mach Three out of Atomic Lass, beat home Monkey King driven by Ricky May and Bailey’s Dream driven by Todd Mitchell, both of whom are trained by the Steven Reid-Graeme Rogerson, and who together tried a tactical attack to beat the champion, with Bailey’s Dream going out fast and taking the lead from Auckland Reactor, and Monkey King coming from the back and challenging hard in the straight.

Auckland Reactor proved too strong though and the crowd roared their approval as he crossed the line a head in front, an effort trainer Mark Purdon said took all the horse’s courage to pull off.

After the race Mark ambled the champion back to the stables, stopping every few yards while the horse lent his head over the fence to receive the enthusiastic pats and congratulations of the crowd. The large crowd on course clapped the horse all the way back to the stables.

Auckland Reactor will line up again at Cambridge this Friday night, 9th January, and the following Friday night, 16th January.

AUCKLAND REACTOR EXPECTED TO DRAW HUGE CROWDS TO CAMBRIDGE RACEWAY

There is a virtual feast of harness racing coming up over the holiday period and during January. On Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December there is an afternoon meeting with harness and greyhound racing, beginning approximately 1.00pm – The main race of the day will be the Group One Turf Bars $50,000 FFA Trotters Flying Mile which should draw an excellent field and prove to be an exciting spectacle, and as always Santa will find time to make an appearance during the afternoon.

On Monday 29th December, the Cambridge/TeAwamutu Harness Racing Club hold their annual grass track meeting, which will be run again this year on the Waipa Racing Club’s track at Te Awamutu. Racing will start from midday. Make this a family day out; as well as exciting racing there will be an interactive children’s area, with supervision, mini cars and a bouncy castle.

A Celebrity Sulky Race will feature jockeys Craig Grylls, Mark Sweeney and Gary Grylls. Villagrad will have wine tasting on the course and the will be Food and Coffee marquee sales. There will be a $5 course entry fee – children free.

Back to Cambridge Raceway on Friday January 2nd with Harness and Greyhound racing from 5.00pm. The highlight of the night will be the running of the $75,000 Waikato FFA Flying Mile for pacers. This is sure to attract a top field, the favourite of the night being the sensational, and as yet unbeaten, Auckland Reactor. The Mark Purdon trained four year old colt has had fifteen race starts for fifteen wins, six of which were Group races.

It is expected that the appearance of the star pacer will draw a large crowd on all three nights he is expected to start at Cambridge – Friday 2nd, Friday 9th, and Friday 16th January. There will be a $10 ticket entry for non-members which will cover entry to all three meetings. The bouncy castle and mini cars will be in operation on the 2nd, and as well a BYO beer and wine policy will apply to these meetings. Fast food options will be on course.

The Cambridge/TeAwamutu Harness Club wishes everyone a happy and safe Christmas and New Year, as well as enjoyable harness racing.

CAMBRIDGE WORKOUTS ON THE GRASS AT WAIPA

This Saturday morning the Cambridge workouts were held on the grass at the Waipa Racecourse at Te Awamutu. This was to give those horses who will be running on the grass track circuit over summer, a chance for a grass workout. Seventy one horses took part. The pacing heats were run over 1800metres. The two trots over 2600 and 2000 metres respectively.

There were three pacing heats for non winners, those who performed well were Three Times A Lady (4m Island Fantasy-Flight South ) trained by Andrew and Lynn Neal, who qualified in April of last year and has yet to race. Time for the heat was 2.37.7, the last 800 in 65.9, the last 400 in 31.0. Three Times A Lady will start in Race 11 at the Morrinsville meeting at Cambridge this Thursday evening.

The next was won by Classic Athena (3f Christian Cullen-Classical) trained by Todd Mitchell. This well bred filly qualified in August and has yet to start. Time for this heat was 2.28.9, the last 800 in 64.5, the last 400 in 31.6

The third non winners pace was taken out by Miss Black Heart (4m Dream Away-Winning Rose ) trained and driven by Arna Donnelly. Miss Black Heart qualified in October and has had one start a fortnight ago at Auckland where she ran ninth. Times for the heat were 2.41.8, the last 800 in 66.0

Thirtee horses lined up in the one win heat. First home was Wiltshire (4g In The Pocket-Dresden Baby), trained by Nicky Chilcott time for the heat was 2.29.6, the last 800 in 63.5, the last 400 in 31.0. Wiltshire has shown good consistent form or late, with four second placings in his last six starts. He will line up in Race Three at Auckland on Friday evening.

The one to five win pace was taken out by Presidential Belle (5mare Presidential Ball-Nuclear Atom) trained by Dave Odlum. Nicky Chilcott drove the mare to win in 2.28.7, the last 800 in 64.0, the last 400 in 31.0. Presidential Belle has had three starts back from a spell, for a first and a third placing. She will start in Race 7 at Cambridge on Thursday evening.

In the non winners trot over 2600metres, Lady Marieke (6mEarl-Call Me Chiola) won for trainer Sally Fenning. Lady Marieke came home in 4.10.1 for the journey, with the last 800 in 69.7, the last 400 in 31.6. She has not raced since May 2007 when she started from the stable of Stephen Doody.

The last of the day, a handicap trot over 2000 metres, was won by the Sean McCaffrey trained Fidicia (5m Sierra Kosmos-Chiola’s Lass) in 3.57.5, the last 800 in 66.3, the last 400 in 30.3. Fidicia won first up from a spell in October but has had three more starts since without showing much.

Top North Island cadet, David Branch - Receives his award from Rod Bowker and Gayleen MacKinnon.

SUCCESS FOR CAMBRIDGE BOY, DAVID BRANCH

David Branch is the Northern Harness Racing Cadet School's 2008 Cadet of the Year. The 18-year-old was awarded the School's supreme award at a prize-giving ceremony at Alexandra Park on Friday night. Josh Dickie was named runner-up.

Thirteen awards were presented to cadets at the two-hour function . It was the first awards ceremony since 2008.

Branch, who is employed by John Green and Brian Hughes at Ardmore, made a career changing decision mid-way through this year to leave Waikato University for a career in harness racing. He was studying business management.

"This award means a great deal to me. It is special because my parents, who have been involved in harness racing as long as I've been around, always told me to get an education first. When I made my decision to leave Uni. this year, I promised them I would go back if it didn't work out. Now I'm not so sure I will," Branch said.

The former Cambridge High School student, who went through to seventh form, has been involved in the Northern Cadets programme since he was 15. He drove his first and only winner at Cambridge Raceway on August 21.

That was behind the Green and Hughes trained Roddick in a one-to-two-win junior driver's field. The 6-year-old Fake Left gelding was favourite that night and Branch got him home by three quarters of a length.

Branch has so far had 15 drives for a win, a second this season. All up he's had 68 drives, four placings and $17,093 in stakes.

Both of his parents are quality trainers and it was their love of harness racing that fuelled their son's trotting desire at an early age. When he was 14 Branch worked part-time for Nicky Chilcott at Cambridge and then during his University years he helped out fellow Cambridge trainer, Mike Berger.

"I owe so many people quite a bit for what they have taught me over the years, especially Mum and Dad. I am lucky to be working for such good trainers like John and Bunty (Brian). My target this year is to learn more and drive more winners," said Branch, who was also compeer at Saturday night's 100-strong function.

Duane RANGER (editor) Harnesslink

CHANGES TO CAMBRIDGE WORKOUTS VENUE IN THE COMING FORTNIGHT

Because the AMP Show Day is being held at Cambridge Raceway this Saturday 29th November, the Cambridge workouts that day, will be held at the Morrinsville track starting at 10.00am.

The following Saturday, 6th December, the workouts will be held at the Waipa Raceway, Te Awamutu, on the grass commencing at 10.00am. This is in order to give horses who are getting ready for the grass track racing to have a run. As we are using the galloping track, bad weather on the previous day or in the morning, would see the day revert to Cambridge Raceway as usual.

Nominations to the Cambridge Raceway office as usual.

The Cambridge Racing Club will be holding their annual grass track meeting at Waipa Raceway, on Monday 29th December.

CHAIRMAN GEOFF WANT SPEAKS OUT AT THE HRA AGM IN SYDNEY

Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party …. This quote would be familiar to anyone in the room who ever had formal typing lessons, along with “the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog”. “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party” was first used in 1867 at a demonstration of one of the earliest model typewriters and became a key phrase in typing training and speed tests. It also was regularly modified to illustrate points, and has been used as a rallying call in everything from corporate sales training days to war time recruiting drives. Today, it is apt to modify it to “Now is the time for all good administrators to come to the aid of harness racing”.

The typewriter has been relegated to the annals of history and virtual oblivion by technological advances. We must ensure harness racing does not suffer a similar fate. I’m sure some – if not all – of you feel this is alarmist and melodramatic.

I agree, it is, but I make no apology. Everyone involved in our wonderful and important industry needs to be aware of the critical issues we are facing and work together to overcome them. Harness racing in Australia is facing its biggest threat in decades.

• In the past year wagering turnover with the TABs and on-course bookmakers has fallen by $218-million, or about 12.5 per cent.
• There has been a further fall in the standardbred foal crop.
• The world is experiencing the greatest financial disaster in more than half a century.

The international financial meltdown is beyond our control, but we have to deal with the ramifications of it such as a loss of consumer confidence and a reduction in sponsorship dollars. We can however work to overcome the downturn in wagering revenue and the reduction in breeding activity.

If we do not tackle these issues and reverse the trends it is inevitable that there will be considerable cuts to prizemoney, which will only accelerate the demise of our industry. Already, it appears we have lost market share – critical to the distribution of funds in some states – to greyhound racing.

The greatest threat to the funding of the three codes of Australian racing is the leakage of turnover from the state totalisator operators. Some of the downturn in wagering turnover in the past year can be attributed to the outbreak of equine influenza, but there is evidence a considerable amount has been diverted to the corporate bookmakers and betting exchanges.

What started as a trickle of money from the TABs when the first corporate operators began in the Northern Territory a dozen or so years ago has become a flood in recent times, as the services offered by them have become more accessible. TABs have struggled to address this problem while state governments, major beneficiaries from wagering through “soft” taxes for many decades, have been unable to stem the flow.

The only weapon used in this battle to date has been the race fields legislation. Western Australia’s legislation was successfully challenged in the courts while the NSW race fields legislation is also to be challenged.

NSW authorities, despite being unable to enforce a 1.5% turnover charge on major unauthorised users of industry data, have imposed the charge on interstate harness racing bodies. Every fair minded person must applaud the endeavour to extract a fee from every organisation which bets on Australian racing, or profits from the industry’s information. It is difficult however to find justification for billing other state bodies, all of whom contribute to the national good of racing.

We now have the unpalatable situation of NSW imposing a 1.5% turnover charge on other states, while unable to extract anything from the unauthorised users. Other states are planning similar action which will inevitably lead to so-called exporters of racing product benefiting financially from racing bodies in states which are net importers.

Some TABs have decided to absorb the additional fee for the time being, although Unitab is passing it on to the industry in Queensland and South Australia. The South Australian Government late last year announced it was passing on millions of dollars to the racing industry from wagering tax reform measures. It has been estimated that most of this additional money, designed to assist a struggling racing industry, will be absorbed in payments to other states.

It is inevitable that various state TABs will become selective in operating on interstate race meetings, rather than the full national program for each code as at present, to minimise the impact of turnover fees. This in turn will lead to further punter disenchantment and frustration, driving them away from harness racing or forcing them to find an alternative betting avenue. Subject to ratification at today’s meeting, HRA will be proposing two courses of action at next month’s Australasian Racing Ministers’ conference in Melbourne.

All Ministers will be urged to liaise on framing legislation in each state which will be effective in extracting a 1.5% turnover fee from corporates and betting exchanges, but which does not cannibalise racing industry wagering revenue from the licensed off course operators in each state.

Furthermore, HRA will be requesting that the Ministers investigate, as a matter of urgency, approving the merging of all totalisator wagering pools throughout Australia. It is HRA’s firm view that this would result in an increase in wagering turnover with the TABs, especially on harness racing. It would also effectively remove one of the greatest attractions of several corporate operators – best tote price!

Harness racing needs government support, but we also need to become more focused in tackling this issue. The corporates are astute marketers but they are not smarter operators – they are however more focused on achieving their objectives.

While our regulators have many important issues to deal with, the corporates and their lawyers have only one. While racing administrators are concerned with staging race meetings, ensuring the integrity of the industry, organising insurance cover and dozens of other necessary tasks, the corporates are focused only on how they can profit from our endeavours.

While we spread our available funds across prizemoney, administration and venue maintenance, the corporates spend money on lobbyists, public relations consultants and lawyers. We need to become just as single minded as we address the issue of ensuring that anyone who trades on our product pays a fair price for the privilege. Race and venue sponsorship is fool’s gold … it is good advertising for the corporates and uses our product to promote their services to our customers, while bolstering their argument that they are supporting racing.

There is a session devoted to the race fields legislation at today’s meeting and a presentation by Unitab. I also urge Members to put forward their views on how we can best tackle the wagering leakage issue.

Apart from the issues which have caused a fall in turnover and reduced funds for the industry, Harness Racing Victoria is gravely concerned that it will be adversely affected by new funding arrangements to be implemented by the Victorian Government post 2012. The scheme whereby racing receives a share of gaming revenue in Victoria is to be discontinued, but a satisfactory alternative is still to be negotiated.

In most jurisdictions – Victoria has been the exception because of the gaming revenue – wagering is responsible for more than 90 per cent of industry funding. The recently formed HRA Wagering Committee has identified issues to pursue, including getting greater control over our brand, and I am hopeful we can make some meaningful progress in the coming months. The effects of the drought, equine influenza and rising costs, especially for fodder and fuel, have all had an impact on industry participants in the past year. The breeding sector has been particularly hard hit and foal numbers continue to fall, a trend that may continue for the next year or two.

In 2007-2008 there was a foal crop of 5,038 – down by almost a thousand on the previous year. The number of services this year was only marginally below last year, so it is to be hoped the slide in foal numbers will be halted next year.

The Breeding Committee is continuing to look at ways to address the problem. The disruption and damage caused by the outbreak of equine influenza has been well documented throughout the year and there is a full report on latest developments in the Agenda papers. The best news during the year was the declaration that Australia was EI free.

The true cost of the equine influenza outbreak, in both financial and social terms, will probably never be known. HRA commissioned Pricewaterhouse Coopers to work with all state controlling bodies on a national study into the financial impact of the EI outbreak on harness racing participants. The findings have been evaluated and there will be a report to today’s meeting on the recommendations of the sub-committee appointed at the mid-season meeting in Melbourne to review the matter. There have been some positive signs for the Australian industry however in the past year.

One was the fantastic promotion by Harness Racing Victoria of the Watpac Inter Dominion Championship and another the opening in late June of the outstanding 1400 metre track at Menangle. It was fantastic to see plenty of positive publicity in theSydney media prior to the event – and even better to see almost 16,000 people at Menangle on the opening day.

It has been a mixed year for the NSW Harness Racing Club. It started with the disruption of EI, although they kept the Harold Park faithful entertained with camel racing, then they battled atrocious weather to complete Menangle. It has ended with the Club receiving approval from members to sell the Harold Park facility which will, when completed, provide a massive boost to the industry in this state.

In Victoria, HRV is preparing for the opening of their impressive $45-million Melton Harness Racing and Entertainment Complex. The commercial facilities, which include a motel, will be operating in February/March and the first races should be conducted at Melton in July 2009.

Queensland harness racing had a setback mid-year when structural problems caused the closure of the grandstand at AlbionPark. The AlbionPark club plans to totally rebuild the facility, while we may also soon see major redevelopment projects at GlobeDerbyPark and GloucesterPark.

There are many matters I could cover in this presentation, but we will be touching on most of them as the meeting progresses. These include the Inter Dominion Event Committee and planning for the 2009 Watpac Pacers Championship on the Gold Coast … the excellent work of the Integrity, Rules and Handicapping Committee on the national handicapping review … governance reviews in several states … the national marketing group’s market research exercise …. the multi-jurisdictional database project, due for completion in April … and the push for taxation reform. I also draw to your attention the report which has been prepared for the Australasian Racing Ministers’ Conference, to be held in Melbourne on the 5th December. This covers much of our activity in the past year and I thank everyone who contributed the compilation of the report.

It would be remiss of me not to thank everyone who contributes to the work of the various HRA committees. We have many dedicated people who devote considerable energy to these committees.

Likewise, sincere thanks also to the team at HRA in Melbourne who make such a valuable contribution to the industry. We paid tribute to Rod Pollock last night and I would again like to record my appreciation for Rod’s eleven years of service to HRA. Welcome also to Andrew Kelly and his first annual meeting as chief executive. A major priority for Andrew is to prepare a strategic plan for HRA for approval by Members at the mid-season meeting to be held on the Gold Coast next March.

One of the saddest moments of the past year was the untimely death of John Penney, chairman of Harness Racing New Zealand, who was well known to most of you here today. HRNZ was indeed fortunate to have a man of the calibre of Pat O’Brien to move into the chair and I’m pleased to welcome Pat, and his popular chief executive Edward Rennell, to the meeting today. HRA enjoys an excellent relationship with HRNZ and Edward is going to provide an update on happenings across the Tasman later in the meeting.

It is also appropriate that we welcome Mike Godber to his first HRA annual meeting as an Aussie. New Zealand’s loss is certainly Queensland’s gain!

Many thanks also to Rex Horne, Ray Sharman, John Dumesny and all at the NSW Harness Racing Club for allowing us to use this excellent facility for our annual meeting and, in advance, for their hospitality tonight.

It has been a demanding and challenging year and there are some significant issues to be addressed in the months ahead. It has not been my intention today to be pessimistic. But I believe quite strongly that we need to work together to tackle the critical matters that threaten our industry.

I’m reminded of a slogan I saw on a T-shirt in America many years ago: “When you’re up to your ass in alligators, it’s too late to remember the first priority was to drain the swamp”. Let’s get our priorities right and not be distracted by peripheral matters.

Thank you – and best wishes for a productive annual meeting.

Geoff Want

Chairman

LAURAELLA BACK BIG-TIME AT CAMBRIDGE

By Duane Ranger

Harness Jewels champion, Lauraella hinted she was in for another big season when recording her second career win at Cambridge Raceway tonight (November 21). The Geoff Small trained brown filly won the $18,000 Alabar New Zealand Sires Stakes 3yo Fillies Heat.

In doing so the daughter of Christian Cullen has now qualified for the Group One $150,000 Alabar Sires Stakes 3yo Fillies Series Final at Alexandra Park on New Year's Eve.

Tonight's 1700m mobile ended up the way the punters predicted - a two-horse war between favourites, Lauraella (Philip Butcher) and the Kevin Shaw trained World Of Dreams (Frank Cooney). At the finish line Lauraella had two and a half lengths and three and a quarter lengths to spare over World of Dreams and Winsome Courage (Steve Reid).

Butcher had Lauraella situated in the death seat at the 1300m with World Of Dreams nicely situated in the on-one. However when Lauraella took the lead at the 900m it left World Of Dreams parked. That mid-race moved decided the outcome.

Lauraella paced the journey in 2:02.1 (mile rate 1:56.2) with final 800m and 400m sectionals of 58.1 and 28.8 seconds. She has now won two of her 10 starts and just over $130,000 in stakes.

CAMBRIDGE WELL REPRESENTED ON NZ CUP DAY

Tomorrow at Addington in Christchurch this year’s New Zealand Cup Day will take place. A day for dressing up, watching the county’s top horses race, and maybe having a dollar or two bet on the ones you fancy, whilst sipping wine in the sun!

The main race of the day the Christchurch Casino Group One New Zealand Trotting Cup over 3200metres will this year be run for $1,200,000 dollars. The field is a good one, Changeover from the Pukekohe stable of Geoff Small will be the likely favourite. He will be driven by top Cambridge reinsman, David Butcher. The decisions David makes as to how he will drive the champion on the day will compact on the way the race will pan out. Brother, Phillip Butcher, will drive Geoff Small’s other contender in the race, Awesome Armbro. Cambridge trainer and driver Todd Mitchell, will drive Bailey’s Dream from the Steven Reid stable in Auckland, and Todd is quietly optimistic about his chances of driving his fifth NZ Cup winner. If there is a scratching in the race, Cambridge reinsman, and top national driver last season, Peter Ferguson, will have a drive on the first balloted out horse, Keeprightondreaming.

The good race mare, Bachelorette, previously owned and trained at Cambridge by David Kaa, will line up in the cup for the stable of new owner/trainer Tim Butt.

In the supporting races, Aslan trained at Cambridge by Mike Berger will contest the Group 1 NRM Sires Stakes Series Final of $200,000 for three year old colts and geldings, over one mile. Aslan will have some stiff competition in the event from Highview Tommy, Stunnin Cullen and Tintin In America but has been in top form and is improving with each run. Aslan ran an impressive second to Highview Tommy in the Harness Jewels in May as a two year old. He will be driven by Tony Herlihy.

The other Cambridge horse expected to show his best on Cup Day, is top gelding, and Trotter of the Year, last season, Sovereignty, trained by Sean Mc Caffrey. Sovereignty took an effortless win when he raced at Addington a week ago, and is at peak form for the 3200m $20,000 Handicap Trot, which will be Race One on Tuesday. He will meet up with the good trotter Ray among others, in what will be an exciting race to start the big day.

JOSH DICKIE DRIVES HIS FIRST WINNER
By Duane Ranger, Harnesslink editor

The huge smile on Josh Dickie's face said it all. "This is the greatest feeling I think I've ever had," the 17-year-old junior driver said after reining his first career winner at Alexandra Park tonight (October 31).

Dickie steered Artiscape 6-year-old gelding, Tuapeka Tiz to a neck victory over favourite We Shall See (Simon McMullan) and Good Bad Deugly (Hayden Cullen) in the Glenfield Tavern Mobile junior driver's race for two and three-win pacers.

"It doesn't get any better than this. Ever since I first got in the sulky as a 12-year-old I've dreamt about winning my first race. To win it at Alexandra Park is a huge bonus for me. I'm rapt to bits," Dickie said.

Son of prominent Cambridge trainer, John, Dickie is one of three junior drivers employed by Tony Herlihy at Ardmore. However, it was Huapai trainer, Robert Mitchell who gave Dickie his most memorable moment in harness racing to date.

"Robert had the mare tuned to the minute tonight. She's the sort of horse who could win a few more races with a sit and sprint and one last go at them. I'll never forget her, Robert and tonight in a hurry," Dickie said.

Dickie left Cambridge High School in the fifth form and has had his trials licence since he was 15.

"It's all I've ever wanted to do. Harness racing is in my blood. I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else," Dickie said.

Dickie had just one start last season but so far this year he has had nine drives for a win and a placing. He said he would love to drive 10 winners before the end of the season. "I get plenty of drives for Tony and I'm grateful for that. I just want to keep on saluting the judge but 10 is a figure I'm aiming for come July 31," Dickie said.

SOVEREIGNTY IMPRESSES AT PUKEKOHE
From Harness News Room

Having his second workout back since winning the 3YO Harness Jewels trotting crown at Cambridge Raceway on May 31, Sovereignty was simply too strong for his rivals in the feature trot, while He's My Hero was too smart for a nine-strong maiden pacing field..

Sovereignty, last season's ‘Trotter-of-the-Year', got back early before whipping up to lead at the bell. From that point on it was game over. The Monarchy 4-year-old's Cambridge based trainer, McCaffrey was delighted with the run.

"He's come back a lot stronger and wider this campaign. He's carrying more condition but isn't any taller which is pleasing. We just gave him a run in behind them at the Cambridge Workouts about 10 days ago, but things got a bit more serious today.

"I was rapt with his run. He will most probably line up next in mid-graded trot at Ashburton on October 27," McCaffrey said.

However it is unlikely Sovereignty will line up against the open class trotters in the Group 1, $300,000 Dominion Handicap at Addington Raceway on November 21.

"At this stage we will not be rushing him. He's still only four and not battle-hardened against the guns yet. He's just a boy compared to them. Perhaps in the mile races over Christmas we could be tempted to take on the men," McCaffrey said.

Sovereignty has only had one season of racing, winning eight of his 12 races and placing in three others for $202,527.

ASLAN CONTINUES TO IMPRESS

Cambridge trainer Mike Berger has a very nice young colt in his stable who has shown more than a bit of early ability. Aslan a three year old by McArdle, qualified back in March of this year, and has so far had nine race starts for three wins, three seconds, and two thirds. His first win at Auckland in May qualified him for a start in the prestigious Harness Jewels, and at Queen’s Birthday weekend he ran a very creditable second to Highview Tommy in the $200,000 Two Year Pace at the Cambridge Jewels meeting.

Following a spell after the Jewels meeting, Aslan returned to racing with an easy win at Cambridge first up on the 18th September. He was placed third in a Sires Stakes Heat at Cambridge on October 2nd and will compete in another heat at Auckland on 24th which will hopefully qualify him for a start in the final on New Zealand Cup Day at Addington on the 11th of November. On Friday night, with Tony Herlihy in the sulky, he ran away from the field in a C1 race at Auckland, winning by five lengths in 2.48.6 and coming the last 800 in 56.6.

Out of the lightly raced mare Jeneva, a New York Motoring mare who had two wins, (one being the 1998 NZ Yearling Sales Pace for three year olds), Aslan was bred by his owners Phillip and Angela Baker. They have returned to New Zealand after ten years in America where Phillip spent some time working for top North American harness trainer, Micky Burke.

Mike Berger says plans have not been made too far ahead for Aslan, as he was a January foal they will take things slowly and not rush the colt. He is however a talented young horse who has improved with each run, and who we are bound to see more of.

CAMBRIDGE HARNESS AWARDS

Cambridge Harness Racing Club Awards for the 2007-2008 Season are as follows.

• Leading Driver of the Year
  UDR Sponsor Dukes for Men, Cambridge
  Scott Phelan
• Leading Driver of Trotters
  Sponsor Club House and Sports Bar, Cambridge
  Maurice McKendry
• Leading Trainer of Trotters
  Sponsor Barry & Jill Gordon
  Sally Fenning
• Junior Drivers
  Sponsor Cambridge Raceway
  1st Hayden Cullen
  2nd Matthew White
  3rd Simon Jones
• Cambridge Raceway Horse of the Year
  Sovereignty

TALENTED YOUNG HANDS ON THE REINS
By Christine Leonard

Since the beginning of the new harness racing season which began on 1st August there has been quite a precedent set amongst the newly licensed Cambridge junior drivers. They are proving to be an exciting bunch who are wasting no time in making their presence felt amongst the driving ranks.

Firstly there is Zac Butcher, seventeen and newly licensed, who won his first race drive two weeks ago at Alexandra Park, Auckland. Zac comes from a family of accomplished trainers and drivers, his dad being top reinsman and trainer, David Butcher. Zac is leaving St John’s College shortly to join the family stable.

Then Simon Lawson, also seventeen, who also obtained his licence at the beginning of the month, has had four race drives for a win and two seconds. His win came on Thursday night at Cambridge when he brought Carlos home to win a maiden pace for his employers, the training team of Graeme Rogerson and Peter Simpson. Simon also comes from a harness racing background on both sides of his family.

Brady Jones, eighteen and licensed since the beginning of the month as well, drove Allcout home first in a junior drivers pace at Alexandra Park, a fortnight ago. Allcout is trained at Waiuku by Michelle Wallis, where Simon is now employed. He previously worked for Cambridge trainer/driver Peter Ferguson.

David Branch, eighteen, is son of Cambridge harness trainer, Susan Branch. As a youngster he was a keen member of Cambridge Kidz Kartz which has helped foster a huge interest in harness racing amongst Cambridge children. He has had his junior drivers licence for a year. David spent a year at University after leaving Cambridge High School. He is now employed in the stables of John Green and Brian Hughes at Pukekohe, and on Thursday night he had his first winning drive on Roddick who is trained by the partnership.

Harness racing always seems to run in families and in the case of Simon Lawson and David Branch there is also a connection with both their maternal grandfathers, Len Robinson and Ron Gee, being best mates as well as good harness trainers.

Congratulations to all these boys as they start their careers, we are going to see a lot more of them all on the harness scene in the future.

HARNESS CLUB STALWART REMEMBERED

The Cambridge harness racing fraternity was saddened by the death recently of Mervyn Cubis, a life member of the Harness Racing Club.

Merv had been a member of the club since 1961 and served on the committee for twenty one years. During his time on the committee, the old stand was replaced with the present day one. Merv very seldom missed a race meeting and had been at the races just a week before his death. He was a regular at the Saturday morning workouts.

Merv was born in Cambridge and lived there all his life, he served in the Pacific during World War II and on his return built a block of shops in Leamington where he worked the milk bar with his wife Nola. They had a family of four children. Merv was a long standing member of the Municipal Band in which he played the trumpet.

Merv was 88 when he passed away suddenly last month. He will be missed by his many friends at the raceway. The Cubis Cup donated by Merv, is competed for annually in a junior drivers race.

MOVE OVER DAD!!!

There’s a new kid on the block! On Friday night at Alexander Park, Auckland, seventeen year old Zac Butcher, who recently acquired his junior drivers licence, had his first drive at a race meeting. He drove Clonmel to win for trainer Sally Fenning in the Juniors Drivers Pace and made it look effortlessly easy.

Zach has been around horses since the day he was born, and harness racing is definitely in his blood; he is the son of top Cambridge reinsman David Butcher, and although he is presently still at St John’s College, he is eager to start working fulltime in the training stables alongside his dad and his grandfather, John.

David, not to be outdone, drove two winners on Friday night, but he is going to have to keep on his toes!.

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	Stakes Increases - .  (0.06 MB) Open File

FUNDING BOOST TAKES HARNESS RACING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Harness racing stakeholders are set to be the winners after Harness Racing New Zealand today announced proposed significant stake increases to several feature events for the 2008/09 season.

Details of a $1.6m stakes windfall were unveiled today by Harness Racing NZ Chairman Pat O’Brien at the organisation’s annual conference in Auckland.

Mr O’Brien’s announcement follows a Budget night commitment by Racing Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters to lift the stakes in selected premier races by $9m over the next three years, pending a proportionate commitment from industry and sponsors.

2008/09 is expected to see an additional $750,000 of new money going into key Harness Racing events, boosted by another $850,000 of club and industry funding.

Seven premier harness races - four key New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club events and three Auckland Trotting Club marquee races – are the likely beneficiaries of the multi million dollar stakes funding boost.

“We are delighted that the Minister recognised the significance of the racing industry in this year’s budget – and it is testament to the strength of harness racing in New Zealand that our sponsors and clubs have so readily matched the additional government funding,” says Harness Racing New Zealand Chair Pat O’Brien.

“It is also a vote of confidence in the industry, as Harness Racing grows from strength to strength, and we continue to deliver world-class entertainment to racing fans.”

The funding boost firmly places some of New Zealand’s premier racing events on the world stage – with the Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup, looking to weigh in as the first ever million-dollar harness race staged in this country. Under the funding proposal, the cup will be run for $1.2m in 2008.

Other highlights of the funding proposal include a record offering by the Auckland Trotting Club of $600,000 for the Woodlands Northern Derby in March 2009. This $600,000 purse is far and away the richest stake for a three year-old harness race in the Southern Hemisphere, and will attract immense interest from across Australasia.

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You can download the increases as a word document - attached at the top right of this article.

CAMBRIDGE TO HOST JEWELS AGAIN IN 2010

Following their extremely successful Harness Jewels meeting at Queen’s Birthday Weekend, the Cambridge-Te Awamutu Harness Racing Club is delighted with last week’s decision by the Harness Racing Executive to award Cambridge the prestigious event again in 2010. The Jewels concept is that the event will be rotated between the North and South Islands on an annual basis with the idea that it will place more emphasis on being a community raceday away from the big city tracks. The inaugural event was held at Ashburton last year, and they will host it again in 2009. Cambridge-TeAwamutu club president, Barry Gordon said, “Getting the Jewels again in 2010 is recognition of the hard work and team effort put in by all those involved this year. The club is pushing ahead to have the plans for a new stable block completed in time for the event”.

PETER FERGUSON SELECTED TO ATTEND WORLD DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Cambridge reinsman, Peter Ferguson was delighted with the news yesterday that he has been chosen to represent New Zealand at the world driving championships in Norway in May next year. HRNZ manager Edward Renell said Ferguson’s selection recognized, as well as his driving ability, the commitment Peter had made in all areas of the harness industry. Peter is president of the North Island branch of the Horsemans’ Association, and a member of its national executive. He is also very involved with the Kidz Kartz programme, amateur driving and education and training programmes.

RAY O’CONNOR RE-ELECTED TO HARNESS EXCECUTIVE

Cambridge/TeAwamutu Harness Racing Club committee man and past president, Ray O’Connor, has been re-elected to the executive of Harness Racing New Zealand. Ray has been a member of the board since 1999 and currently serves in the capacity of treasurer. He has also been for the last two and a half years, harness racing’s representative to the New Zealand Racing Board, the government appointed, controlling body of the three racing codes, thoroughbred, harness, and greyhounds.

HARNESS JEWELS 2008 AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS

Harness Jewels Day 2008, at Cambridge Raceway last Saturday was an unprecedented success. It had all the components needed for a great day’s racing – good weather, an extremely good venue, with a perfectly prepared track surface which saw national records broken, top racehorses and thrilling racing. Along with good, well organized facilities, great food and entertainment, not too long a wait for a bet or a beer, and a very large enthusiastic crowd it all made for a memorable day.

The day went off without a hitch and feedback received from those who attended was without exception, positive. The Cambridge/Te Awamutu Harness Racing Committee are also very pleased with the positive feedback received from both Harness Racing New Zealand, who determine and oversee the format of the day, and the New Zealand Racing Board.

The concept of the Harness Jewels has been embraced by owners, trainers and the public alike and has already established itself as one of the highlights of the harness racing calendar. Next year the Jewels will return to Ashburton who set the benchmark for the event with the inaugural meeting. Cambridge has met that challenge resoundingly and look forward to receiving the opportunity to host the Jewels in 2010.

SHOCK SCRATCHING OF AUCKLAND REACTOR

HRNZ have been advised that due to injury, pin-up colt Auckland Reactor is out of the 2008 GCT Harness Jewels. This shock scratching has lead the way for James Ryan to step-up at race from the coveted barrier one position. With the loss of Auckland Reactor the field evens out with a number of horses capable of taking home the 3YO Emerald.

Auckland Reactor has fallen victim to what appears to be a neurological problem stemming from his back. The unconfirmed diagnosis is based on the horse's lack of co-ordination in his hind quarters whilst in work.

The condition did flare up over the weekend and as a result was monitored closely. It had appeared to have worsened slightly this morning (Monday). Resulting in Mark Purdon scratching Auckland Reactor with Cambridge Raceway officials before 10am this morning.

Trainer Mark Purdon reports Auckland Reactor, "is well within himself, eating well and just on Friday his blood tested perfectly".

Auckland Reactor is in no discomfort but is obviously suffering from an obscure problem that Christchurch-based vet Bill Bishop will endeavour to confirm and treat upon the horse's return to Christchurch next week.

Fiery Falcon is now at $1.90 for the 3YO Emerald on Saturday.

Other scratchings are Mr. Ricky and Cast Adrift from the 4YO Emerald, leaving the field down to just eleven runners and Myouri who was scratched on Friday from the 2YO Emerald, paving the way for Aslan to take his spot.

ATMOSPHERE BUILDS TOWARDS SATURDAYS HARNESS JEWELS

If the atmosphere around the track at Saturday morning’s workouts at Cambridge Raceway is anything to go by, then next Saturday’s Harness Jewels Meeting is set to be an amazing day’s racing.

Twenty three of the horses who will race that day were at the track for a preparation run, including the big names of Changeover, Gotta Go Cullen, One Dream, and Sovereignty. The weather was clear and warm, and hopefully that will be the case this Saturday, when the best of the best in the two to four age group, will meet in what will be nine extremely competitive and speedy mile races. Trainers and drivers who raced on Saturday spoke highly of the condition of the track which is one of, if not the best and fastest, harness racing surfaces in New Zealand.

In the two year old trotters mobile, Outmuscle, driven by caretaker trainer Sean Mc Caffrey, after being handy in the running throughout the race, made a very impressive sprint up the inside in the straight to take the heat in 2.51.2, with the last 800 in 60.5 and the last 400 in 29.9. He finished 1 ½ lengths in front of Kevin Townley with Dream Machine, with ½ length back to Castletonian.

In the two year old fillies mobile pace over 1700metres, Arden Banner led out fast from World of Dreams who took the trail. The two fillies did battle in the straight with Arden Banner taking the heat by a nose in 2.04.7, the last 800 in 57.7, the last 400 in 29.3. An extremely good run by both these fillies, with Beaudiene Bad Babe a length away in third place.

In the two to three win pace, Cullens Legacy and David Butcher came home first with Flyin Cullen ½ length away and in third place Absolute Magic who went to the line under a hold. Time for the heat was 2.46.5, the last 800 in 58.9, the last 400 in 29.3.

Then in the big heat of the morning, Changeover, and Gotta Go Cullen clashed once more, along with Mr Molly, Victory Spirit and the big mare One Dream. Gotta Go Cullen blasted out to the lead from four, Mr Molly settled in the trail, while Changeover sat at the rear. The race continued with the field in Indian file until 800 metres from home, David Butcher pulled Changeover out and worked forward slowly to be two lengths from Gotta Go Cullen at the top of the home straight. Changeover did not gain on him in the straight and at the finish Gotta Go Cullen still held the lead comfortably winning in 2.43.8, the last 800 in 55.9, the last 400 in 27.4. In third place was Mr Molly who lost ground on the home turn but was making it up at the line, and behind him was One Dream finishing on strongly.

Sovereignty led all the way in the up to four win trot over 2200 metres, taking some easy quarters in the middle stages, but then drawing away from the field to run home very easily, four lengths clear in 2.50.4, the last 800 in 58.3, the last 400 in 28.9. Alien Waits put in a very good run for second after pulling hard over the journey. He was having his first run for a month coming back well from an injury problem, and has drawn well in the Jewels field at one. In third place, two lengths back was The Ultimate Galleon.

Trotupastorm started 50 metres behind in his 2700 metre trot, made up ground quickly to lead 1600 metres from home and ran away in the straight with no challengers to win by three lengths in 3.38.9.

There will be another chance to see some of the Jewels contenders on Thursday morning between 7.30am and 9.30am. The Waikato Times “Breakfast With The Stars” will be held in the members lounge, with commentator Aaron White. A hot and cold gourmet breakfast will be served, and beer and wine will be included. Tickets for the event are $25 per person and can be purchased from the raceway office. The gates will be open free for any members of the public who would like to watch the mornings workouts.

TWENTY THREE JEWELS HORSES TO START AT WORKOUTS

A host of equine stars will be put through their paces, a week out from the "Jewels" this Saturday morning at Cambridge. There are no less than 23 Harness Jewels horses having a blow-out on Saturday.

All heats are run over 2200 metres with the first starting at 10am. The first of the stars on the track will be the 2YO trotters in heat 3 including Outmuscle, Going Commando, Dream Machine and Castletonian, followed by the 2YO fillies with Hemisphere, Lauraella, World Of Dreams, Alexis, Arden Banner and Beaudiene Bad Babe appearing in heat 4.

Absolute Magic and Cullen's Legacy will be on show in heat 5, with the big guns Changeover, Gotta Go Cullen, Mr Molly, Victory Spirit and glamour mare One Dream, competing in heat 7. Finally, if all that horsepower wasn't enough, the three and four-year-old trotter's Lady Eskay, Lough Beg, The Ultimate Galleon, Sovereignty, Alien Waits and Trotupastorm will be on track in heats 8 and 10.

THIS SATURDAY’S WORKOUTS AT CAMBRIDGE LIKELY TO CREATE HUGE INTEREST

The Saturday morning workouts at Cambridge this week will certainly create some interest. Nominations are not in yet but at this stage it is thought that a number of trainers with Harness Jewels contestants will bring them for a workout at the track.

Those expected to attend are Geoff Small, who will bring quite a number of his team down, Gareth Dixon and Dave McGowan have indicated they will be attending and Tony Herlihy, who has as well as his own horses, Phil Williamsons jewels contenders in his care. Some of the local horses who are in the jewels are also likely to have a run on the track. Workouts begin at 10.00am

LOCAL CONTENDERS ON TRACK FOR THE HARNESS JEWELS

The 2008 Harness Jewels are now less than two weeks away; the cut off date for qualification for the event was last Sunday, the fields are now settled, and the draws are to be announced this Friday 23rd May. On what will be a momentous day in the history of trotting in the Waikato, the Harness Jewels are to be hosted by Harness Racing New Zealand and the Cambridge Te Awamutu Harness Club on Saturday 31st May, at the Cambridge Raceway..

Six locally trained horses have qualified in their respective age groups and are now being prepared and finely tuned to ensure they at the peak of their performance for the big day.

On the trotters side of the events there is at the top of the qualifying list for the Three Year Old Trotters Ruby race, Sovereignty (3g Monarchy-Lockerup), trained at Cambridge by Sean McCaffrey. The extremely talented gelding comes to the Jewels, having had just eleven race starts since his debut in September, with an impressive total of seven wins and two seconds. His wins include the Group One Northern Trotting Derby and the Group 2 Sires Stakes Championship. He ran a close second in the Group One New Zealand Trotting Derby and again in the Cambridge Trotting Stakes. He is currently the holder of two New Zealand Three Year Old Trotting Records. He will no doubt go into the harness jewels as a firm favourite in his race and a Jewels win would be the icing on the cake of what has been a tremendously exciting season for his owners Charlie and Annette Hunter. Charlie said at the weekend he is very happy with how Sovereignty has come through his races and how his preparation is shaping up for the Jewels. His condition will be reviewed at the end of the week and he may have a run at the workouts on Saturday if it is considered this would be advantageous.

Another Cambridge horse who will be lining up against Sovereignty in the Jewels, is Real Deal Yankee, (3g Dream Vacation-Catherine The Great). He has six career wins to his credit, including the Group 3 Hambletonian Classic. He ran a very good third behind Dr Mickey in the New Zealand Trotting Derby. Trainer John Dickie is pleased with the horse’s preparation to date. He won’t start him at the workouts next week but will continue a quiet preparation with a couple of beach runs included. John also trains Great Getaway who qualified for the Two Year Old Ruby Trot but has unfortunately been withdrawn because of an injury.

Also qualified for the Three Year Old Ruby Trot, is Kasynov (3gSundon-Faye’s Jewel) trained by Luk Chin at Cambridge. He has three career wins and qualified at ninth place.

In the Two Year Old Fillies Diamond Pace, World Of Dreams (2f Dream Away-Lost Traveller) trained by Kevin Shaw, has qualified in seventh place and had a run in the two year old fillies pace at Alexandra Park Auckland on Friday night running home for a comfortable third. World Of Dreams won the Listed Two Year Old Classic in March. Kevin is very happy with her condition and preparation and she is definitely on track to be at top of her form come Jewels Day.

The Graeme Rogerson-Peter Simpson training duo has Muscle and Power (2c Muscles Yankee-Royal Heights) in the Two Year Old Ruby Trot. The colt has only had two race starts to date for two wins.

Alien Waits (4g Sundon-Ceevette) trained by Nicky Chilcott, will line up in the Four Year Old Ruby Trot. The gelding did look to be a doubtful starter when he sustained an injury, but Nicky say he has recovered much better than expected. Alien Waits has not raced for a month, but is fit and will have a run at the Cambridge workouts on Saturday.

Next Thursday 29th of May there will be a chance to see these horses plus other Jewels runners have their final preparation on the Cambridge track. That morning the Waikato Times will host “Breakfast With The Stars” between 7.30am and 9.30am in the members lounge. Tickets for this event are $25 per head and can be purchased from the Raceway Office. There will also be an opportunity to win a place in the duel-sulky races which will be staged during the morning. The gates will be open free to the general public to watch the Jewels contenders put through their paces.

NEW ZEALAND RECORD SET IN CAMBRIDGE TROTTING STAKES

Two three-year-old trotters have set themselves apart this season. Sovereignty and Running On Time have dominated the recent classics but until last night at Cambridge it had been Sovereignty’s name in lights.

A typically astute drive from Tony Herlihy and a first class performance from Running On Time was enough to sneer a nose victory over Sovereignty in the 2008 Cambridge Trotting Stakes, and a NZ Record of 2.44.4 for the 2200m mobile.

Tension mounted in the race early when maidener Idle Mal caused a false start. Once the race kicked off properly though Running On Time surged to the lead and repelled the early challenge of Real Deal Yankee.

A lead-time 42.0, set up the record and unusually it was the leader in that very fast lead-time that was able to hold on for the victory.

Running On Time was let loose by Herlihy when he sensed Real Deal Yankee tiring outside him. Sovereignty popped out of the one-one 400m from home but the leader was off and gone.

A tremendous stretch duel ensued with Running On Time winning by just a slender nose.

The Cambridge Trotting Stakes was the third consecutive quinella Running On Time and Sovereignty have recorded.

As a result of the win Running On Time has shortened into $4 for the harness Jewels at the end of the month.

MUSCLE AND POWER FAVOURITE FOR HARNESS JEWELS TWO YEAR OLD RUBY RACE

The largest single bet on the Futures Harness Jewels markets to date in 2008 has been placed on a juvenile trotter. The Graeme Rogerson-Peter Simpson-mentored Muscle And Power was the subject of a $5,000 investment late last week, which resulted in his price being slashed from $6.50 into $2.50 on Wednesday morning.

He overtakes Jumanji Franco as favourite for the Harness Jewels 2YO Ruby after she galloped when seemingly in command of the NRM Sires Stakes Trotters Championship on Saturday at Addington.

Muscle And Power was an outstanding debut winner at Cambridge back in April and connections elected not the chase the big prize money at Addington and sit tight for the Harness Jewels.

Muscle And Power again set tongues wagging with a smart workout at Cambridge on Saturday morning, suggesting that he may well indeed be the horse to beat in the 2YO Ruby on 31 May.

There were two other impressive workout winners last Saturday at Cambridge. One Dream continued her preparation for the Jewels with a smart last 400m to comfortably win her heat. Co-trainer Dave McGowan was “really happy” with the workout, except for her knuckling over past the line but any concerns arising from that have been eased with the glamour mare pulling up in great fettle.

Real Deal Yankee, the 2008 Hambletonian winner that missed the recent three-year-old classics due to illness looks on track for a Jewels tilt. The Muscles Yankee three-year-old showed his class beating a tidy workout field including O’Sheas, Romper Stomper and Kasyanov on Saturday.

Gotta Go Cullen and Changeover meet again at Cambridge this Thursday, in the lead up to the Jewels

Gotta Go Cullen and Changeover will meet again this Thursday at Cambridge, along with Chilli and Days Of Courage, in Race 5 the Jubilee Park 4YO Mobile Pace. The top four year old colts, all Harness Jewels contenders will compete in a mobile mile. Kerry Wells, Racing Manager at Cambridge, made the call to run the four horse race : "it gives the nominated horses a lead-up race before the Jewels and it will be a race of great interest for the general public", he said. Star pacer Gotta Go Cullen will be easily recognisable in the Jewels tour leader yellow colours.

CAMBRIDGE MAKES FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR HARNESS JEWELS DAY

With just over two weeks to go until the biggest and richest harness race meeting ever held in the Waikato, excitement is mounting at the Cambridge Raceway. On Saturday 31st May the Cambridge-TeAwamutu Harness Racing Club hosts the $1.5million Harness Jewels. The meeting will be a historic event for the club, and is set to be the largest in terms of both attendance and betting turnover to held at the raceway.

In what promises to be the most exciting harness racing ever seen in the Waikato, the top pacers and trotters in the country, aged two to four years, will compete in nine races for stakes money totalling $1.5million. There will be twelve starters in each mobile race of 1609m (one mile). Pacers race for $200,000 in each race and trotters for $100,000. It is estimated that up to 10,000 people from all over the country will attend. Hospitality packages for the day are all sold out, and preparations are in their final stages for what will be a huge day.

In week prior to the big day, a number of events planned leading up to the Saturday’s race meeting. On the afternoon of Tuesday 27th of May there will be a harness meeting at Cambridge, the First Sovereign Trust Equine Education Day, when 250 students will attending a learning and interactive activity day provided by industry participants and Harness Racing New Zealand. Kidz Kartz club will be in attendance and will put their ponies through their paces There will be an eight race programme for the day with a midday start.

On Wednesday 28th May, the club will hold a nine hole Ambrose golf tournament at the Cambridge Golf Club. A BBQ lunch will be held from 12.30pm with a shotgun start for the competition from 1.30pm. There is still limited player space available.

Thursday 29th May the Waikato Times “Breakfast With The Stars” will provide a chance to see the equine Harness Jewels Stars in final workouts on the Cambridge track. Time 7.30am – 9.30am. Free entry to the course for general public and breakfast vendors will be in attendance. A Champagne Breakfast will be hosted in the Members Lounge, cost of this is $25 per person. There will be the opportunity to participate in a draw for 12 guests to compete in Dual Sulky races to be staged during the morning. Tickets for this function are available from the Raceway Office.

On the evening of Friday 30th May an industry invitation event will be held at Sky City in Hamilton to precede the Jewels racing on the Saturday.

Saturday 31st May – Harness Jewels Day. The country’s leading age group harness horses race for $1.5million. Gates open from 10.00am and the racing action begins at 12.10pm. Entrance fee will be $10 on the day, with members displaying badges gaining free admission. Various food options will be available on course.

ANOTHER NEW ZEALAND RECORD FOR SOVEREIGNTY

Sovereignty (3gMonarchy-Lockerup) showed again just how talented he is when he won the NRM Sires Stakes Trotters Championship, a $90,000 Group Two 2200 metre mobile trot for three year olds, at Alexandra Park, Auckland on Friday night. Driven by Maurice Mc Kendry wearing the yellow Harness Jewels colours, Sovereignty settled four back for the first part of the race, moved forward at the 1200 metre mark and was in the lead 1000 out from home. The challenge in the straight came from Running On Time (3g Sundon-Springfield Lauren), the Murray Edmonds trained runner driven by Tony Herlihy. Sovereignty held him by half a head, in a time of 2.44.6, the last 800 in 59.3, the last 400 in 28.5. This set a new New Zealand record for a three year old trotter over 2200 metres from a mobile start. The previous record was 2.45.9, set by Zuri in 2004. Sovereignty also holds the three year old trotters New Zealand record for the same distance from a stand at 2.50.8. He now has had ten race starts for seven wins and two seconds.

Sovereignty’s trainer, Sean Mc Caffrey said last week that the horse had improved with his trip to Addington last month, where he ran second to Dr Mickey (3g Dr Ronerail-Jo Anne) in the New Zealand Trotting Derby. Last night Dr Mickey finished eight lengths behind Sovereignty, in fifth place. Next Friday night they will meet again in the Breckon Bloodstock Northern Derby at Alexandra Park, a $75,000, Group One event over 2700 metres. Sean says the longer distance will suit Sovereignty.

Following on from the Derby, it is intended that Sovereignty will line up at Cambridge on the 15th May in the Cambridge Trotting Stakes a $20,000 Listed Race for three year olds over 2200 metres, then it will be on to the $100,000 Harness Jewels race on 31st May at Cambridge. Sovereignty currently leads the list of eligible horses for the three year old trotters event on that day. There is plenty more excitement coming up for Sovereignty’s owners, Charlie and Annette Hunter in the next month and that is as far as plans have been made so far in what is early days in the career of this exceptionally good horse.

The other Cambridge trained horse who impressed on Friday evening was Romper Stomper (9g Armbro Invasion-Iola Hanover ), trained by John Dickie, he was driven by Tony Herlihy, to win the six or more win handicap trot, beating home a top line up of opposition in the lead up to this week’s Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park on Friday night. In a solid return to top form, Romper Stomper won by 1 ½ lengths from Inspire, with Awesome Imace third, and the favourites for the race, Houdini Star and Mountbatten coming in fourth and fifth. Romper Stomper has proved before he can more than hold his own in top company, in November he won the Group One NZ Trotting Free For All. On Friday night he came off their backs in the home straight, running home strongly in 3.30.2. for the 2700 metres.

SOVEREIGNTY FAVOURITE FOR TROTTERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Trainer Sean McCaffrey says top three year old trotting gelding, Sovereignty (Monarchy- Lockerup), has come back even better after his trip to Addington last month, where he ran a close second to Dr Mickey in the New Zealand Trotters Derby. This Friday night Sovereignty lines up in the $90,000 NRM Sire’s Stakes Trotters Championship, a Group Two mobile trot over 2200 metres for three year olds at Alexandra Park, and Sean is confident the horse is up to the challenge. With just eight race starts under his belt, five wins and two seconds, Sovereignty has learnt a lot from his trip away, he has drawn well at five and with Maurice McKendry in the driving seat should go out favourite. He lined up at the workouts at Cambridge last Saturday against the pacers for mobile practice, and ran away from them, covering the last 800 metres in 58.7, the last 400 in 28.7. Sovereignty holds first place on the three year old trotters list for the Harness Jewels at Cambridge on 31st May.

MISS SHARVID WINS BOTH DAYS AT TARANAKI

The good mare, Miss Sharvid (7m Sharvid Adios-Eileen Rose) showed she has no ideas of retiring to the breeding paddock just yet. On the first day of the Taranaki Trotting Club’s two day meeting on the grass, she took out the $10,000 Taranaki Breeders Stakes convincingly in the hands of trainer/driver, Nicky Chilcott, 3 ¼ lengths in front of Scherger Rain (7m Sir Vancelot-Irish Beauty) completing the 1750 metres in 2.19.2. On the second day she beat the same mare again when she took out the 1750 metre Free For All. This time the margin was one length and the time was 2.18.1. This makes eight career wins to date for Miss Sharvid.

ROGERSON/SIMPSON TEAM RUNS WELL AT CAMBRIDGE WORKOUTS

Saturday morning at Cambridge Raceway and thirty eight horses started in the workouts, and some good sectionals were run during the morning.

The training partnership of Graeme Rogerson and Peter Simpson had some runners who put in good solid runs.

In the two and three year old mobile pace over 1700 metres, they lined up Long May He Reign(2g Julius Caesar-Astro Reign). Driven by Peter Ferguson, he came home well in front of the other two runners, winning in a time of 2.10.2, the last 800 in 58.9, the last 400 in 29.1. The gelding has yet to trial.

In the second non winners pace over 2200 metres, Carlos (4g Christian Cullen-Precious Vance) from the same stable, came home well for driver Simon Lawson . Time for the race was 2.46.6, the last 800 in 59.4, the last 400 in 29.9. Carlos has not raced since New Year.

And again in the two to four win pace over 2700 metres , again from the Rogerson/Simpson barn Top Tempo (4m In The Pocket –Kliklite ) came home three lengths clear of Geoffrey Clement in 2.49, the 800 in 57.6, the 400 in 28.2. Top Tempo has also been out for a couple of months and starts fresh on Thursday night at Cambridge where she has drawn four in a 2200 metre pace with a three to four win front.

Then once again in the two to six win trot, Cornishman (8g Armbro Invasion-Merrijigs) took out the heat three lengths clear of the Nicky Chilcott trained Jewel qualifier, Alien Waits. Cornishman went from the 20metre mark, Alien Waits from the 10. Time for the heat was 3.37.5, the last 800 in 59.4, the last 400 in 29.3. Cornishman who had his first start for the Rogerson barn at Auckland in November where he ran eigth lines up on Thursday night also. Cornishman is a six win horse who comes north from the stable of Roger Marshall at Christchurch.

In the other maiden 2200 metre pace of the morning, Aslan (2c McArdle-Jeneva ) trained by Mike Berger, came home a head in front of the Todd Mitchell trained, Outback Jack (3g Falcon’s Icon-Champelle) Time for the heat was 2.52.4, with the last 800 in 59.6, the last 400 in 29.3. Both these horses make their racing debut in the same race on Thursday evening, with Outback Jack getting the better draw at one and Aslan at eleven.

The two year old trot over a mile, had two starters, John Dickie’s filly (Dream Vacation-Catherine the Great) came home half a length in front of Muscle and Power (Muscles Yankee-Royal Heights) Rogerson/Simpson, in a time of 2.07.4, the last 800 in 60.2, the last 400 in 28.6. Both horses line up in the first race at Cambridge, the NRM Sires Stakes heat over 2200 metres. Great Getaway is currently holding second place on the two year old trotters list for the Harness Jewels in May, behind Pocaro.

BATTLE BEGINS FOR TWO VERY GOOD TROTTERS

The first part of a battle between two very talented three year old trotters was played out at the Saturday morning workouts at Cambridge Raceway, and although the two participants raced in different heats, they both won impressively and were both in preparation for the same race, the $75,000 Group One Trotting Derby at Addington, Christchurch on 28th March.

Sovereignty (3g Monarchy-Lockerup) trained by Sean Mc Caffrey, and owned by Charlie and Annette Hunter, which has now had seven race starts for five wins, started in the maiden pacing heat in order to obtain mobile start practice,.

Real Deal Yankee (3g Dream Vacation-Catherine The Great), trained by John Dickie took out the one two seven win trot stylishly. Real Deal Yankee, who is raced by John along with Joe Neems, Eddie, Jack and Bruce Davies, was bred by John, and is a half brother to Last Sunset, the very good group one winner who John also trained. Real Deal Yankee has now won five races from eleven starts, including the Group Three Hambletonian Classic at Ashburton last month.

Following the Trotting Derby there are a number of Group and Listed Races coming up for three year old trotters during April and May, including the Group Two Sires’ Stakes Trotters Championship, and the Group One Great Northern Derby, at Alexandra Park and the Listed Cambridge Trotting Stakes. Whether either Sovereignty or Real Deal Yankee will start in these is yet to be decided.

Then on Saturday 31st May at Cambridge, the second running of the $1,500,000 Harness Jewels Day takes place at Cambridge Raceway. Both Sovereignty and Real Deal Yankee are at present in first and second place respectively on the list of qualifiers for the three year old trotters heat. Qualification for this day is dependant on stakes won over the last season with cut off day being 19th May.

Altogether it has been a very satisfying week for John Dickie, on Tuesday he won the non-tote two year old mobile trot at the Kumeu Trotting Club Meeting, at Alexandra Park, Auckland, with Great Get Away (2f Dream Vacation-Catherine The Great) The filly who is a full sister to Real Deal Yankee was having her second race start, she was second in her first start at Auckland last month. Driven by Toss Mitchell, she won comfortably by fifteen lengths in a time of 2.14.4. The win sees Great Get Away go straight to second placing on the list for Harness Jewels qualifiers in the two year old trotters section.

The filly is owned by John along with his business partner, Richard Bright, who together own the Clubhouse Sportsbar at the Cambridge Raceway, which was also the sponsor of Tuesday’s race.

At the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting on Friday night, John took out the four year old and older one win junior drivers pace over 2200 metres, with Knight Jasper (5g Knight Jasper-Kind Matar). Driven by Gary Gillies, he sat in the trail, taking the passing lane and putting in a huge effort in the straight to win by a head in a close finish with Jazz Bromac in a time of 2.45.0. Knight Jasper was 6/7 in the betting and paid a very nice dividend of $18.50 and $4.40.

The horse is part owned by the Clubhouse Sports Bar Syndicate along with Basil Blackwell

Other local winners over the last week were Lucky Veelo (3f Falcon Seelster-Vance Vegan) having her second race start, won the maiden fillies and mares 1700 metre pace at the Kumeu Meeting on Tuesday. Time for the race was a very good 2.05.5, a mile rate of 1.58.7. The win followed up good workout form at Cambridge over the last weeks. Lucky Veelo is trained by Mike Berger and was driven by Phillip Butcher.

Nicky Chilcott trained and drove a nice winner at Auckland on Friday night in O’Sheas (7g Il Vicolo-Sure Lobell) in the two or more win handicap trot over 2700 metres. O’Sheas has now had two wins since coming to Nicky late last year from the Bruce Negus stable in Canterbury. The gelding went away well from the stand, sat parked, getting cover in the middle stages, was pulled out and went to the lead 500 metres from home, proving too strong in the straight.

Other horses to go well at the workouts were the David Odlum trained Presidential Belle (4m Presidential Belle-Nuclear Atom who won the up to seven win pace over 2200 metres in 2.49.0, the last 800 in 58.7, the 400 in 29.8. The mare last raced in December.

Allclout (4g Lotsa Clout-Platinum Miss) trained by Gordon Newberry put in a big run to win the one win pace over 220 metres in a time of 2.51.4.

Arna Donnelly drove the Ray Bradley trained Supper Waltz Wilson to win the maiden trot over 2200 metresin 3.06.7.

Races again at Cambridge Raceway this Thursday evening 20th March. Come along for an excellent nights entertainment.

WORLD OF DREAMS STORMS HOME IN FILLIES RACE

A local Cambridge runner gave an impressive performance in the 1700 metre listed race for two year old fillies at the Auckland Cup Meeting, at Alexandra Park, Auckland, on Friday night.

Having just it’s second race start for trainer Kevin Shaw, World of Dreams (Dream Away-Lost Traveller), driven by Maurice McKendry, came from well back at the top of the home straight and made an enormous run, blitzing the opposition in a time of 2.05.4, the last 800 in 59.0, the last 400 in 28.7, a mile rate of 1.58.6.

Kevin bred the filly and races it together with his wife Cathie. He also trained the dam Lost Traveller (Road Machine-Show Me The Way) who won six races. World Of Dreams is her first foal. The win has qualified the filly for the Harness Jewels in May, the stake taking her to second place on the list of eligible two year old fillies.

SOVEREIGNTY CONTINUES HIS WINNING FORM

Talented Cambridge trotter Sovereignty (3year old gelding Monarchy-Lockerup), took his fifth career win comfortably, on Auckland Trotting Club’s Derby Night Meeting at Alexandra Park, Auckland, on Friday night, in the one to three win discretionary trot over 2700 metres, The gelding has now had seven race starts for five wins and a second. Trained by Sean McCaffrey and driven by Maurice McKendry, Sovereignty was well back early in the race, going forward a lap from home, and at the 800 mark sat parked outside Kasyanov, the Luk Chin trained runner, driven by Phillip Butcher. These two drew away from the bunch and fought it out down the home straight, with Sovereignty proving too strong, taking the win by ¾ length in a time of 3.32.0.

Trainer Sean McCaffrey says exactly where the gelding goes from here is not yet set in stone, but with both the Trotting Derby and the Trotting Stakes coming up over the next few months he will be looking towards those with owner, Charlie Hunter, and then to the Harness Jewels at Cambridge on the 31st May. Sovereignty is currently leading the list of contenders for the three year old trotting heat of the Jewels.

Other racing during the week included the two day meeting at Manawatu which was attended by a number of local trainers. Those to have wins on the first day, were Colin Butler with Sevarg (3g Courage Under Fire-Fenella Franco) who won a maiden pace over 2000 metres in 2.25.5, a mile rate of 1.57. Peter Ferguson drove Shirley (3f Mach Three-All Our Smiles) to a win in the maiden fillies and mares pace over 2500 metres. The filly who is trained by Murray Logan and was having her first race start, was favourite for the race after winning at the workouts the previous Saturday. Time for the race was 3.18.3. The Mike Berger trainer It’s OK Flyin (5m Sands A Flyin-It’s OK Kamwood) won well in the one win 2000metre pace in a time of 2.29.4, a mile rate of 2.00. It’s OK Flyin also won at last weeks workouts.

On the second day John and David Butcher won with Cosmic Blackie (4g Presidential Ball-Executive Motoring). He was driven by David and won in a time of 3.12.6. Two Morrinsville trainers had wins, Tony Shaw won the maiden trot over 2500 metres with Garden In The Sun(5m Sundon-Repent in Eden) in a time of 3.22.1.driven by Peter Ferguson, and Jason Teaz won the three or more win handicap trot very impressively with Cool Story ( 8g Armbro Invasion-Cool Store).He won in a time of 3.14.5. Arna Donnelly did the driving.

Cambridge reinsman Peter Ferguson had a very successful week, and didn’t leave much for the other driver, reining home eight winning drives over the two meetings at Manawatu, and also driving a winner at Auckland between meetings.

The weather was showery for the workouts at Cambridge Raceway on Saturday morning. Both learners heats for the pacers were won by Todd Mitchell trained and driven horses, Keystone Copper (4g Armbro Operative-Keystone Nicola ) and Angsana (3f Pacific Rocket-Here She Comes). They both won their heats comfortably, two lengths in front of the opposition.

Lucky Veelo (3f Falcon Seelster-Vance Vegan) trained by Mike Berger and Mysonmylad (5g Sands A Flyin-Miss August Moon) trained by Carolyn Cox won their respective maiden 2200metre pacing heats.

Miss Sharvid (7m Sharvid Adios-Eileen Rose) won the up to five win pace in 2.56.6. The mare is trained by Nicola Chilcott.

The non winners trot over 2200metres was won again this week by the Ray Bradley trained Supper Waltz Wilson (3g Dr Ronerail-Breanoram) in a time of 3.04.

The Auckland Trotting Club is to hold their premier Auckland Trotting Cup meeting this Friday evening at Alexandra Park. Local horses lining up in the cup meeting are Bachelorette who is trained at Cambridge by David Kaa, and Mi Muchacho who is trained at Morrinsville by Richard Anderson. Both horses have drawn well for the race.

Kidz Kartz is all set to steal the show on Wednesday 5th February - Auckland Galloping Cup Day. Tamati Coffey, the TV One “Breakfast” weatherman is all set to provide weather coverage from Alexandra Park in the run-up to the Auckland Pony Cup.

Tamati will be on air with the children gearing up the ponies and will also drive one of the ponies down the straight. During the morning Tamiti will talk about the upcoming Trillian Trust Auckland Cup as well as the Auckland Pony Cup.

Tune in to TV One for the live broadcast as it is sure to be a blast, it is great to see harness racing getting prime time mainstream TV coverage, especially in this busy week of racing.

Time of coverage:

6.40am – Kids and ponies - grooming

7.10am – Gearing Up

7.40am – Racing down the straight (Tamati and kids)

8.10am – Discussing Auckland and Pony Cups

8.40am – More coverage of Kids Kartz.

SATURDAY WORKOUTS AT CAMBRIDGE

Twenty eight horses took part in the Saturday workouts at Cambridge Raceway this week. In the up to one win mobile pace over 2200 metres, the winner was the trotter, Sovereignty, trained by Sean Mc Caffrey, who was in the race to get practice behind the mobile. Sovereignty (3yr old gelding Monarchy-Lockerup) who is owned by Charlie Hunter and his wife Annette and has had six race starts for four wins and one second. He came home in 2.52.9, the last 800 in 60.2, the last 400 in 27.9.

The Arna Donnelly trained Rock With Me (5m Pacific Rocket-Let Me Go) won the two to three win pace over 2200 metres driven by Nicky Chilcott. Time for the heat was 2.52.7, the last 800 in 58.5, the last 400 in 28.3. Rock With Me won her first start for Arna in April of last year (she was previously trained in Southland) and has been spelled since July.

The two year old mobile pace over 1700 metres was taken out by the Kevin Shaw trained and driven World Of Dreams (2f Dream Away- Lost Traveller) in 2.11.0, the last 800 in 60.5, the last 400 in 28.5. The filly who was bred by Kevin and his wife Cathie, qualified last month and has her first race at Auckland this Friday evening.

Psychedelic Rose (9m Armbro Invasion- Adaria’s Rose) who has recently gone from trainer David Kaa to Wayne Anstis, came home three lengths in front of Earleen Castleton and Warren Taylor in the up to five win trot over 2700 metres in 3.37.3, the last 800 in 63.5, the last 400 in 31.9. She was driven by Phillip Butcher.

REAL DEAL YANKEE TAKES THE HAMBLETONIAN

It was with great satisfaction that Cambridge trainer John Dickie watched Real Deal Yankee (3yr old gelding DreamVacation-Catherine The Great) come home to take out the Hambletonian Classic, a $30,000 Group Three mobile mile for three year old trotters, at Ashburton Raceway on Saturday.

John bred Real Deal Yankee who is a half brother to Sunset Star, by Sundon, who John bred and trained with much success, winning eighteen races for him including the Group One Trotters Free For All at Addington in 2001. He is raced by John, in partnership with Joe Neems, Eddie Davies and his brothers Bruce and Jack Davies.

Since beginning his racing career a year ago Real Deal Yankee has had eleven race starts for five wins and two second placings and was the top qualifier in his class in May last year for the inaugural running of the Harness Jewels in Ashburton where he began favourite, but unfortunately made a mistake at the start and lost all chance. He is at the moment leading qualifier for this year’s three year old trotters heat in the Harness Jewels to be held at Cambridge on 31st May, slightly ahead of another Cambridge trotter, Sovereignty.

On Saturday, driven by his regular driver, Todd Mitchell, Real Deal Yankee flew out from the mobile and went to the lead, handing up at the 800 metres to Heza Brite Native, before challenging again at the top of the home straight , taking back the lead and holding off the challengers to win decisively in 1.58.7.

John also has a very promising two year old full sister to Real Deal Yankee in work, she is Great Getaway who has won two trials to date. John is racing her with business partner Richard Bright.

There were a number of local winners at the Cambridge/Te Awamutu Harness Club’s meeting at Cambridge on Thursday evening Bukima, (4 yr old gelding Pacific Rocket-Smooth Nedra) trained by Dane Alexandra at Ohaupo, and owned by his wife Margaret, took out the maiden 2200 metre pace for the boys, driven confidently by Nicky Chilcott, to win decisively in 2.46.5.

Nicky also had a training win with Dakota Kid a promising five year old gelding (Badlands Hanover-Logan’s Butler) who she races with Wilson Alley. She was happy to cheer from the sideline as he won the up to three win junior drivers 2700 metre pace driven by Tim Hall in 3.27.0. Dakota Kid has now had five race starts for two wins.

Dr Luk Chin trained and drove Kasynov (3 yr old gelding Sundon-Fayes Jewel) to win the up to two win 2700 metre handicap trot in 3.33.7.

Napoleon Dynamite (2 yr old colt Julius Caesar-Madam Giovanni) won the 1700 metre two year old mobile pace on debut. He is trained by Graeme Rogerson and Peter Simpson and was driven by Gavin Smith. Time for the race was 2.11.3, a mile rate of 2.04.2.

Saturday morning workouts at Cambridge saw good runs from Luminescence (3yr old f Badlands Hanover-Shining) who won the maiden 2200 metre pace in 2.47.2, the last half in 59.3, the last 400 in 29.3. She is trained by David Kaa and was driven by David Butcher.

Bob Castleton (2yr old gelding Malabar Maple-Madam Castleton) won the maiden trot over 2200 metres in 3.07 for trainer/driver Warren Taylor.

Cullen’s Legacy (3yr old colt Christian Cullen- T A Sportsplex) won very nicely for driver Gavin Smith in the one to three win pace over 2200 metres in 2.46.5, the last 800 in 59.1, the last 400 in 28.8.Cullen’s Legacy is trained by Wayne Ross.

NICKY CHILCOTT IN WINNING FORM

Local Cambridge trainer Nicky Chilcott continued her winning form again this week with two trotting winners, the first a win by Alien Waits at Alexandra Park, Auckland on Friday night. The 4 year old gelding (Sundon-Ceevette) took out the two or more win handicap trot over 2700 metres in 3.30.9, 1 ½ lengths in front of Glen Wolfenden on Exstasia. Alien Waits won his qualifying trial in February of last year and began racing in June. Since then he has had fifteen starts for five wins and four seconds. On Friday night Nicky did the driving and took him away nicely from the 10 metre mark to go forward and take the lead two laps from home. The challenge came at the post with one lap to go when Todd Macfarlane took Sunover Dover forward to vie for the lead, but Alien Waits was more than equal to it and held the lead easily, trotting perfectly. In the home straight he put several lengths on the field and came home for a comfortable win. This is a horse we are sure to see more of.

On Sunday the Bay Of Plenty Harness Racing Club held their annual grass track meeting at Tauranga, and again Nicky brought home a winner in the up to one win handicap trot over 2500 metres. O’Sheas (7 yr old gelding Il Vicolo-Sure Lobell) who is pacing bred but like his mother prefers to trot, has been in Nicky’s stable since November, having previously been trained by Bruce Negus in Canterbury. He started as favourite in the race, having had four previous starts for Nicky with second and third placings. O’Sheas went away from the twenty metre mark and settled mid field. At the top of the home straight he was pulled out wide and flew home impressively, trotting strongly to win by 1¼ lengths from Sean McCaffrey and Harvey Krumpet, in a time of 3.23.1, a mile rate of 2.10.7.

Other local trainers to have a win were David Marshall with Corlett, (6yr old mare Holmes Hanover-Bedlum). Driven by Peter Ferguson, Corlett won the up to two win 1950 metre pace in 2.29.7, a mile rate of 2.03.5. She raced mid field until taken wide 600 metres from home and ran on to take the lead 100 metres out, holding out Maurice McKendry and Simply Magic by a neck. The mare has had five starts for David since joining his stable in December, coming a close second behind Waingaro Invader at Wanganui earlier in the month. She was previously trained by Alex Hastie in Canterbury.

Lyn Neal drove Italian Lass (5yr old mare Il Vicolo-Convent Girl) to a win in the one to two win fillies and mares pace over 1950 metres. This horse was having her first start for trainers Lyn and her husband Andrew, having also previously come from Canterbury, this time from the stable of Nigel McGrath. Italian Lass had the best gate speed off the mobile and went to the lead, but handed up to Tony Shaw on Norvic Star and sat in the trail until the home straight, where she managed to get a run up the fence and fought hard with Flight Of Fantasy driven by Jay Abernethy, winning by a neck in a time of 2.27.6, a mile rate of 2.01.7. Italian Lass was 9/9 in the betting, paying a good dividend of $32.10 and $6.60.

There are races again at Cambridge Raceway next Thursday 7th February.

SOVEREIGNTY IMPRESSES AT CAMBRIDGE

Talented three year old trotter Sovereignty (Monarchy-Lockerup), did not let his owners Charlie and Annette Hunter or himself off lightly when he won the two to three win handicap trot over 2200 metres at Cambridge Raceway on Friday evening. The gelding who is trained by Sean Mc Caffrey, already had three wins and a second from five starts to his credit when he lined up firm favourite for driver Maurice Mc Kendry, who was wearing the yellow Harness Jewels colours, as Sovereignty was the leader in his class for the series at this stage. He made a good start from the four draw but fifty metres out broke and galloped, taking quite a while to settle down at the back of the field and fifteen lengths from the leader. His task looked impossible, when at the top of the straight for the first time, Maurice pulled him out and took him forward to sit three wide with cover. At the top of the home straight Sovereignty was four wide trotting strongly and coming away to take the win by 1 ½ lengths in an impressive 2.50.8. Delighted with his performance, the Hunter family were preparing to celebrate when the siren went signifying an enquiry into his performance. However after reviewing the race the stipendary stewards found that he had not exceeded the ruling for the length galloped and the celebratory drinks in the winners room were that much sweeter.

Other local horses to win on the night were Mymumdidnotwantme (four year old mare Union Guy-Jessica Nicole) trained by Colin Butler and driven by David Butcher who won the up to two win fillies and mares 2200 metre pace in a time of 2.46.4.

Trainer Nicky Chilcott had a good win in the four year old and older 2700 metre maiden pace with Dakota Kid (4 year old gelding Badlands Hanover-Logans Butler). Time for the race was a respectable 2.28.2, Dakota Kid won by a neck in a close finish with By The Stars (4 yr old mare Astreos-Tuapeka Royale), trained by John Godfrey.

They say a stable is either on form or not and this was true for the above three winning trainers, because all of them continued their success with wins on the grass at the Morrinsville Trotting Club’s meeting at Te Aroha on Sunday.

Sean Mc Caffrey won well with Harvey Krumpet, (4 yr old gelding Sundon-Debbie Galleon) in the up to one win handicap trot. He went to the lead at the start and then handed up the lead to sit in the trail. After difficulty getting a run in the straight he ran on late to take the win. Harvey Krumpet won two races as a two year old and has been only lightly raced since then.

Colin Butler took out another win with Modiglaini Maid (4yr old mare Perfect Art-Smooth Jaguress). Driven by Philip Butcher, she sat parked and held on well in the straight to win the four year old and older 2100 metre pace by a length from Bettors Star who ran on well when clear for second.

Nicky Chilcott had a hard fought win in the Morrinsville Cup with the good mare, Miss Sharvid (7 yr old mare Sharvid Adios-Eileen Rose). She took out the two to five win discretionary pace over 2200 metres in 2.49.3. settling in the middle of the field early and then moving up to the one/one before putting in an exceptional effort in the home straight urged on by driver Nicky and holding off the challengers to win by a neck.

Other local trainer to have a win was Cambridge/Te Awamutu Harness Club steward, Kelvin Wilson who took out the win with his good trotting entire, Sunset Star (5 yr old h Sundon-Cherraine). Driven by Peter Ferguson, Sunset Star began from the 20 metre mark in the one or more win handicap trot over 2200 metres. Taken to the lead early he held his place, trotting home strongly in the straight to win by a head in 2.56.0. This is Sunset Star’s sixth career win.

Grass track racing continues next Sunday when the Bay of Plenty Trotting Club holds their annual meeting at Tauranga.

Racing again at Cambridge takes place on Thursday 7th February.

A TOP NIGHTS RACING AT CAMBRIDGE

This Friday night 4th January, the Cambridge/Te Awamutu Harness Racing Club holds their Skycity Flying Mile Night at Cambridge Raceway, with the first race starting at 5.50pm.

The feature race of the night, the Skycity Flying Mile, a Free For All, Group Two $75,000 pace, has drawn an excellent field of eleven. The scratching today of Monkey King brings the field down to ten and leaves Bailey’s Dream off the three draw looking a likely favourite. Days Of Courage, Awesome Armbro, and Sly Flying cannot be taken too cheaply however and it certainly makes for an exciting race. This race is an Interdominion Heat with the winner qualifying for the semi-finals if nominated.

The $30,000 Cambridge Trotters Flying Stakes has also drawn an excellent field with the firm favourite being One Over Kenny who won the Trotters Flying Mile so impressively on Christmas Eve at Cambridge in a time of 1.57.0. Mountbatten who ran second in that race has drawn two with the very good Houdini Star at three.

The Dinny Johnstone Waikato Guineas a $25,000 2200 metre pace for three year olds should also draw a lot of interest, with Cullens Legacy looking the likely favourite, and Benny Mac also having claims.

The Club House Bar and Café $20,000 Matriarch Stakes for two to nine win fillies and mares, promises to be another exciting race, with the champion mare, One Dream a certain favourite and Top Tempo also a prospect.