Harness Scene

There were no surprises when New Zealand's Harness Horse-of-the-Year, Auckland Reactor was named Cambridge Raceway Horse-of-the-Year at its annual prize-giving ceremony in Cambridge last night (Wednesday). The Reactor raced three times at Cambridge in January for two wins and his infamous loss to All Tiger on the 16th of that month.

Meanwhile the North Island Harness Racing Awards ceremony will be staged in Alexandra Park's Tasman Room this Saturday night (August 5).

Duane Ranger

The Cambridge Te Awamutu Harness Racing Club is proud to announce the joint naming rights sponsors to the 2010 Harness Jewels will be Sky City Hamilton and Kelly & Bryant Chartered Accountants Ltd.

The Te Awamutu based chartered accountancy firm were the lucky winners of a naming rights draw staged on course on Thursday August 20th under the supervision of Club President Barry Gordon and Waipa Mayor Alan Livingston.

From over 30 local companies the draw was conducted right to the line with Kelly & Bryant the last selected and left ultimately with the winning combination.

Now Kelly & Bryant alongside Sky City are the flagship partners for the event.

“I have attended many galloping events both in NZ and overseas but none matched the organisation, atmosphere and high class racing as Harness Jewels day at Cambridge. “Now we are the joint naming rights partner to the event, that’s fantastic.” said Sanders

Kelly & Bryant employ over 20 staff, all of whom have various levels of qualifications and experience, and are one of the larger accounting practices in the Te Awamutu area.

Fellow Kelly & Bryant director is Harness Racing New Zealand Treasurer and NZ Racing Board Member Ray O’Connor. The remaining directors Stephen Gibson and Jon Page were equally excited by the winning result.

Brooke HENDERSON

Horse of the Year: AUCKLAND REACTOR

Clubhouse Sportsbar Leading Driver of Trotters: Tony Herlihy

1st A.G.Herlihy (66 pts)

2nd D.J.Butcher (60 pts)

3rd T.W.Mitchell (52 pts)

Jill and Barry Gordon Leading Trainer of Trotters: Michelle Wallis

1st M.J.Wallis (86 pts)

2nd D.M.Balle (48 pts)

3rd S.P.Doody (38 pts)

Cambridge Raceway Junior Drivers Competition: Simon Lawson

1st S.J.Lawson (31 pts)

2nd R.J.Butt (22 pts)

3rd S.W.McMullan (21 pts)

Dukes For Men (UDR) Leading Driver of the Year: S.J.Reid

1st S.J.Reid (0.395)

2nd D.J.Butcher (0.338)

3rd A.G.Herlihy (0.279)

NRM Leading Trainer: Steven Reid/Graeme Rogerson

1st Reid/Rogerson (210 pts)

2nd M.J.Wallis (167 pts)

3rd G.C.Small (140 pts)

Brunch with Peter Ferguson
	Come along and listen to Peter’s exploits and experiences in the World Drivers’ Championships which were held recently in Norway.
When: Sunday, August 2nd Where: The Clubhouse Sports Bar and Cafe Time: 11am Cost: $10 per person which includes brunch buffet Bookings: Mike Weston ph 021501415 or promotions@cambridgeraceway.co.nz RSVP: Thursday July 30th
Peter will hold the floor while you enjoy a tasty brunch. There will be an opportunity thereafter to ask questions and look at his memorabilia.

Zac Butcher

Zac Butcher carves up fellow juniors

With a name like Butcher it would hardly be surprising that a young man from one of New Zealand's greatest harness racing families would break through to the big time. But 18 year old Zac Butcher did just that on a memorable night at Addington tonight when he ran away with the Copthorne Hotel Commodore Junior Drivers Championship.

Believe it or not but Butcher won his first two race attempts at the Christchurch track, putting himself in a virtually an unbeatable position of winning the championaship.

He would have had to finish last with the odd other including Mitchell Kerr having to pay a dividend.

But Butcher wrapped up the championship with a handy third with Aleksander Pedro in the third and final race in the sweries won by favourite Lyalldale Invasion (Josh Dickie).

The talented young northerners whitewashed their Mainland rivals in the finale with Anna Stormont, the only lady in the championships second with Savana.

Butcher is a son of David Butcher, ana nephew of Philip and a grandson of John who made his name in the 1960s with the top Cup Class pacer Tobias, the best performed son of Newport Chief and a favourite with Alexandra Park racegoers in a colourful era.

His two wins this evening advanced his tally to 18.

If breeding counts for anything Zac is bred to go places, certainly following in the footsteps of his father and mentor David

Joshua Dickie, winner of the final leg of the series tonight, posted his ninth career success with Lyalldale Invasion who scored first up for Phil Williamson, the master North Otago trainer of square gaiters.

Don WRIGHT

Courtesy of Harnesslink.com