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

HARNESS JEWELS SWABS TO BE RETESTED

Press Release from Edward Rennell, General Manager, HRNZ

1. New South Wales Harness Racing announced at the weekend, the return of a positive test to tranexamic acid by Changeover (trainer - Geoff Small, Pukekohe). This was following the horse's win in the Len Smith Mile at Menangle on 26 April 2009.

2. In order to ensure no aspersions can be made as to the integrity of New Zealand feature races, Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) has requested the NZ Racing Laboratory to retest the 24 urine samples taken from the Harness Jewels race meeting on 30 May for this prohibited substance.

3. A decision as to whether any further retrospective testing will be undertaken will be made following the results of that testing. The NZ Racing Laboratory currently retains all urine swabs for six months to allow for such testing if required.

4. Stakes for this meeting have not yet been paid, pending clearance on all swabs. It is expected that the further testing will delay this a fortnight.

5. Checking these swabs reaffirms HRNZ's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and ensuring all participants can have confidence in competing on a level playing field.

Peter Ferguson and Steve Phillips

Peter Ferguson to train restricted team

The career path of one of New Zealand's outstanding drivers is about to assume another dimension with Peter Ferguson's decision to apply for a Public Trainers Licence. The winner of three Premierships and the driver of at least 1500 winners is keen to train three horses of his own and friends as a start to a new career.

"Although I am applying for a Public Trainers Licence instead of a licence to train, that does not mean I will be training outside horses,'' he told Harnesslink today.

"If a good private trainers' job came along later, it might look better if I am a Public Trainer licence holder...In any case both licences cost the same.''

Ferguson said he had made the decision in light of his father Barry retiring as a trainer.

"My father and my mother Claudette want to move on to town (Cambridge) and try the odd other little thing before fully retiring.''

His father made his name with the good harness horses Smile Birdie (6 wins), Friendly Bank and Made to Burn who won two of three starts before dying of a heart attack at home.

Peter Ferguson, 41, said he had always enjoyed helping his father with training duties and he was looking forward to his new involvement.

"By playing around for a start with the odd one of my own and friends, I will not have the pressure of answering to owners,'' he said.

Last week's Cambridge winner Ronan Maguire, a promising three year old Christian Cullen gelding, will be a mainstay of Ferguson's team.

Previously trained by Ferguson sen, he is part owned by Peter Ferguson and wife Wendy and is raced in partnership with breeders Ray and Diane Kennedy of the prominent Jubilee Park nursery.

Hi Noon, a quality Badlands Hanover gelding will be tried by Peter and Wendy Ferguson with Les and Marion Pettifer. Ferguson and Pettifer bred him.

The winner of three races, Captain Bushrat will resume training later for Ferguson

"I would like to keep the team down to three and no more for the time being,'' Ferguson observed.

Courtesy of Harnesslink.com

Peter Ferguson and Steve Phillips

Peter Ferguson Second in World Driving Championships

New Zealand representative, Peter Ferguson, has finished second in the World Drivers Championship this morning (Thursday NZ time) in Norway. After sitting hot on the heels of Ferguson for majority of the series, Denmark's Birger Jorgensen overtook him in day fi ve to take out the Championship, The Ulf Thoresen Trophy and US$25,000.

With a 12 point lead heading into the fi nal day at Bjerke in Oslo, Ferguson was the one to beat. The proud Kiwi was aiming to be NZ's sixth World Champion. However things began to come undone with an unfortunate day of unlucky draws. After Race 1 and a fi fth placing, Ferguson held onto to the lead by one point. Jørgensen's second win of the day (15 points each) came in Race 2 catapulting him into the lead with Ferguson's seven points putting him into second position. A seventh and last placing in the final two races meant Ferguson's chances of winning were dashed.

Jørgensen became Denmark's first ever winner, whilst Ferguson became New Zealand's seventh second placed driver. Ferguson pocketed US$12,500 for his second placing. No other country has been as successful as New Zealand since the inception of the Championship in 1970. The host country's Eirik Høitomt came in third position with the winners trophy named after one of Norway's racing legends, Ulf Thoresen. Thoresen won the World Drivers title a record four times before passing away in 1992. Brooke HENDERSON

Peter Ferguson and Steve Phillips

David Butcher creates NZ driving history

David Butcher is one of New Zealand's best big-race drivers. He's eighth on New Zealand's all-time driving list with 1470 wins. He drove Elsu to win the 2005 Interdominion Grand Final. He won two Auckland Cups with the same horse in 2003 and 2004, and last November he won his first New Zealand Cup behind Changeover.

But when Lauraella won last Friday night's $150,000 Group One New Zealand Oaks at Addington Raceway Butcher created New Zealand driving history by becoming the first reinsman in this part of the world to surpass $2m in stakes in one season - a brilliant achievement considering there is still two-and-a-half months left in 2008-2009, including the rich Harness Jewels Finals at Ashburton Raceway on May 30.

As at today (Monday) Butcher had won 77 of his 486 starts and placed on 109 occasions for $2,081,583 in stakes. His UDR strike rate stands at a very healthy .2606. He is currently third equal with Peter Ferguson on the national driving premiership - behind Dexter Dunn (155) and Mark Jones (83).

The previous season high was recorded in 2007-2008 when Tony Herlihy won $1,627,921. Not one to talk it up, Butcher said he was proud to have achieved a New Zealand driving first.

"It helps when you have good horses and a top trainer like Geoff Small to drive for. This is a bit of an honour but it's what I do for a living and I really enjoy driving. Every win is a buzz but I wouldn't have had one win if it wasn't for the owners and trainers. They make records like this happen and I'm grateful to them all for that," Butcher said. "Yes I'm happy with what I have achieved so far this season," he added.

Butcher has driven at all the major tracks in New Zealand and Australia this season with Changeover and Lauraella providing the Cambridge trainer-driver with most of his wins.

"Winning the New Zealand Cup with Changeover in November was the season, if not career highlight. That was special. Every driver wants to win a New Zealand Cup," Butcher said.

Changeover's other big wins this season included $50,000 Bendigo Cup; $65,000 Interdominion heat and the $100,000 Len Smith Mile. All up the In The Pocket 5-year-old entire has won $713,395 this season - $192,477 more than what stablemate Lauraella has so far earned in 2008-2009.

The red hot favourite for the $200,000 Group One 3yo Fillies Diamond on Harness Jewels Day has won nine of her 11 starts this season and placed in one other race for $500,918. Lauraella's Group One wins this season include the $170,000 New Zealand Yearling Sales Final; the $200,000 Great Northern Oaks; the $150,000 Nevele R Fillies Series Final; and last Friday's $150,000 New Zealand Oaks.

"Changeover and Lauraella have won the most money but All Tiger went pretty good as well. He won a $50,000 race and beat Auckland Reactor. Then there was Awesome Armbro's Interdominion Consolation win. I've been lucky to have driven some quality racehorses in some big races this season," Butcher said.

That trend will continue on Harness Jewels Day when Butcher has three drives behind Lauraella, All Tiger and Tintin In America.

"Lauraella is obviously my best chance. She's the top of her age group and a pleasure to drive. She just keeps giving but it's way too soon to start comparing her to Changeover and Elsu.

"They are males and she hasn't raced away from her own age group or sex yet. She will have to make the step up one day, and only then can you start comparing, but for now she still has a long way to go," Butcher said.

Lauraella, a brown Christian Cullen filly, will have the chance to add to her career record of 10 wins and $622,185 after the Harness Jewels Final as well. She will be crossing the Tasman for the Breeders Crown Championship at Melton (Victoria) on August 23.

Duane RANGER (editor)

Peter Ferguson and Steve Phillips

Ferguson 12 points ahead - one day to go

Peter Ferguson continues to hold onto the top spot in the World Drivers Championship with only one day left in the 20 race series. Proudly representing New Zealand, Ferguson sat only two points ahead of Bjorn Goop as they headed into day four at Sorlandets. With a second placing in Race 1, Ferguson increased his lead by 12 points.

A fifth place in Race 2, brought the gap between first and second down to eight points. Denmark's Birger Jørgensen earnt maximum points in Race 3 whilst Ferguson gained his sixth second place. This brought Jørgensen into second, seven points back from Ferguson. With the middle of the pack gaining vital points in Race 4, Ferguson's five points did not affect his lead in the Championship. Despite two first places in Sørlandets, defending champion Christophe Martens sits in sixth position.

The fifth and final day with four races will be held in Bjerke (Oslo) on Wednesday night (NZ time).

Current results:

KEY (16 races of 20) - Driver R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 Total

Peter Ferguson - New Zealand 5 15 12 3 17 4 12 12 3 7 5 12 12 6 12 5 133

Birger Jørgensen - Denmark 5 12 6 17 9 5 6 17 8 5 17 6 7 2 17 2 121

Roland Hülskath - Germany 6 3 17 7 5 2 7 9 4 4 12 17 2 12 4 10 117

Björn Goop - Sweden 16 5 3 2 6 6 9 3 11 15 6 7 5 7 1 1 115

Eirik Høitomt - Norway 3 10 9 4 1 17 1 5 16 10 4 2 9 9 9 15 112

Christophe Martens - Belgium 11 15 4 6 7 12 3 7 6 5 3 3 17 17 2 5 107

Jason Bartlett - USA 8 13 2 9 1 9 4 2 5 3 2 5 3 1 5 7 90

Brad Forward - Canada 1 6 5 12 12 1 5 1 5 2 1 1 6 5 3 3 80

Imre Fazekas - Hungary 4 6 7 5 3 3 2 4 1 5 7 9 4 4 7 5 79

Gareth Rattray - Australia 1 1 1 1 4 7 17 6 2 1 9 4 1 3 1 4 63

Brooke HENDERSON

Peter Ferguson and Steve Phillips

Peter Ferguson leaves for World Driving Championship

Top Cambridge reinsman, Peter Ferguson, and his wife Wendy fly out on Saturday to Norway, where Peter will represent New Zealand in the World Driving Championship, against the top harness drivers from Europe, America, and Australia. They travel first to Bergen where they spend the first few days and then to Oslo. Peter competes in races on eight of the nine days they are in Norway. He is unsure how many drives that includes on each day. He returns to New Zealand in time to drive at the Cambridge meeting on 28th May, before heading to Ashburton for the Harness Jewels.

Sovereignty and Sean McCaffrey

SOVEREIGNTY OUT FOR REST OF SEASON

The New Zealand's elite trotting ranks are getting a bit thin with last year's 'Trotter-of-the-Year' Sovereignty joining superstar Stig and the Tim Butt and Phil Anderson trained Ray on the injured list. The Sean McCaffrey trained 4-year-old gelding is out for the rest season after being diagnosed with an injury in his front right pastern.

Sovereignty, a gifted son of Monarchy will not be able to defend his main target for the season - the Harness Jewels title at Ashburton on May 30. He will also bypass the prestigious Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park on May 1.

Sovereignty's injury came just a week after Stig was forced out of all racing with a fracture to his left hock. Stig, a 6-year-old son of Armbro Invasion gelding, has won 15 of his 31 starts and $491,167 compared to Sovereignty who has won 11 of his 22 starts and $279,736.

Sovereignty's owner and training assistant, Charlie Hunter knew there was something wrong with his brilliant gelding following his lack luster two-and-a-half-length sixth behind Real Deal Yankee at Alexandra Park on April 3.

"You could tell there was something wrong because he was sluggish at the start. We got him thoroughly x-rayed on the Monday after the race and then a day later a digital x-ray found the problem. Vets said the injury could be managed over time but he is too good a horse to take any chances and that's why he is being spelled," Hunter said.

Duane RANGER (editor)

Sovereignty Puts in A Strong Workout

Cambridge trotting star Sovereignty(Monarchy- Lockerup ), resumed his four year old campaign at the Saturday morning workouts at Cambridge Raceway. Following an exceedingly successful three year old career, which included wins in the Group One Northern Trotting Derby, and the Group Two Sires Stakes Championship, and cumulated with a sensational win in the three year old trotters’ race at the Cambridge Harness Jewels in May, Sovereignty took a well earned break from racing; returning to begin his four year old campaign in early October. Between then and New Year’s Eve, he started ten times for four wins,( including the Group Two Trotters Flying Mile at Cambridge on Christmas Eve), and two Group Two second placings. His total stakes during this time were $77,000, easily qualifying the horse for a start in the 2009 Harness Jewels at Ashburton at Queen’s Birthday weekend.

The gelding has had a short break since his last race in the Trotters Free For All at Addington on New Year’s Eve, when he broke under pressure when handy in the home straight and finished in eighth place. Driver Maurice McKendry said that the horse had not felt comfortable at any stage during the race and a veterinary examination following that race found some concussion in a foot. Sovereignty came back north and trainer Sean McCaffrey and owner Charlie Hunter decided to take off the shoes and give him a couple of weeks in the paddock. They have brought him back up slowly, putting in plenty of jogging before giving him any fast work, their patience has paid off and they are both very happy with where the trotter is at and his progress to date.

Sovereignty looked terrific when he came out to compete against the pacers in a mobile 2200metres, on Saturday morning; fast off the gate, he trotted brilliantly, going to the lead and holding the pacers at bay, he ran away in the straight to win by three lengths in a very respectable time of 2.49.6, with the last 800 in 57.9, and the last 400 in 28.1.

Charlie says Sovereignty will race at Auckland this Friday night, and how he comes through that will determine when he will race again, but at this stage the Harness Jewels is the main event on his calendar.

Dream Vacation son impresses at cup meeting

Cambridge trainer John Dickie was delighted with Real Deal Yankee’s win in the Coca Cola Handicap trot at the Auckland Trotting Club’s Cup Meeting at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

The 4yr old gelding (Dream Vacation-Catherine The Great) has now had eight career wins and also two very creditable third placings, in the NZ Trotting Derby at Addington a year ago and in the 3 year old Ruby final of the Harness Jewels at Cambridge in May of last year.

On both occasions he came home behind two very good horses in Sovereignty and Doctor Mickey. Following his run at the Jewels, John turned the trotter out for a good long spell, bringing him back in January, when he won first up at Cambridge in a slick 3.30.1, for the 2700 metres.

That run, John says took the edge off the gelding, and he was a little unhappy with his next two runs for a third and fourth placing. His blood during this time was showing things were not perfect, so John gave him a week off, which proved the right thing to do, and he was in top form for his win on Friday night. Driven by usual driver, Todd Mitchell, he came home strongly to win in 3.30.8 a neck from the Reid/Rogerson trained, Sno's Big Boy.

That win has put Real Deal Yankee at 10th place on the leaderboard to qualify for the 4year old trotters heat of the Harness Jewels at Ashburton on the 30th May.

John had never intended to over race the horse during his four year old year, and he pays tribute to his fellow owners in the horse, Joe Neems, and brothers Eddie, Bruce and Jack Davies for being so patient and allowing the horse time to grow and strengthen.

His focus at the moment is solely on qualifying for the Harness Jewels and any decisions about his future are on hold.

New Young Blood takes on dad and wins

Saturday morning workouts this week at Cambridge, saw keen Kidz Kartz driver, Kyle Marshall take a huge step up. Fifteen year old Kyle who has recently obtained a stablehand's licence, had his first workout drive behind three win mare Corlett, trained by his father David Marshall. Kyle drove a patient and confident race and when at the top of the home straight he pulled his horse out and stormed home, pipping his father at the post on his drive Udare, there was appreciative applause from the spectators.

Corlett came home in 2.52 for the 2200m with the last half in 58.8, the last 400 in 28.7, in what was the fastest heat of the morning.

Christine LEONARD

ASLAN PUTS IN AN IMPRESSIVE WORKOUT AT CAMBRIDGE

Talented three year old colt Aslan (McArdle-Jeneva) put in an impressive workout at Cambridge Raceway on Saturday morning. The Mike Berger trained youngster came home to win with ease by five lengths in the two to four win heat of the morning, leaving the rest of the field struggling in his wake. He ran the 2200 metres in 2.44.3, with the last 800 in 57.3, the last 400 in 27.8.

Aslan has now had thirteen race starts for five wins and six placings. After qualifying as a two year old last March, he ran a very creditable second to the good pacer, Highview Tommy, in the two year old heat of the Harness Jewels at Cambridge in May. In November at the New Zealand Cup meeting, he was far from disgraced when running fourth in the Group One Sires Stakes final, behind an impressive line up, of Stunnin Cullen, Tin Tin In America, and Highview Tommy.

Following a spell, Aslan returned to racing at the Franklin Trotting Club Meeting last week, winning well from Safin and Highview Tommy. Trainer Mike Berger is very happy with where the colt is at, he is nominated for a heat of the Woodlands Northern Derby at Alexandra Park on Friday night, and if he is successful in gaining a place will race in the Group One $600,000 Derby Final, at the Auckland Cup Meeting the following Friday 6th March.

Mike says there are no plans further ahead than that for the colt. Decisions will be made on further races depending on how he comes through the next two weeks.