Big Saturday (Wednesday 28th April 2010)
It will quite simply be a day of superb harness racing action!
Super Feature Finals Day takes place at the Invercargill Harness Racing Club's meeting at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Saturday (1 May).
The ten race programme will feature three big finals. The Macca Lodge/Nevele R Stud Southland Oaks Final for 3-year-old fillies will be raced over a distance of 2200 metres for a stake of $50,000 and Cantabrians Royal Cee Cee and Anvil On Fire plus the locally owned and trained Ask McArdle are three who stand out.
The Alabar NZ Southern Supremacy Stakes Final for 3-year-old Colts & Geldings is a mobile pace over 2700 metres also for a stake of $50,000 and in this New Zealand Derby winner Captain Peacock, Central Southland's Motu Crusader and Kotare Mach are favoured in a quality field.
Also on the programme is the Hecton Products 2007 Ltd Southern Country Cups Final over 2700 metres featuring a stake of $25,000. Beaudiene Bad Babe, winner of last years Oaks Final, appeals along with Lord Forbes and Best Legacy.
The day will also feature the final Kidz Kartz races for the 2009/2010 season. Two heats are scheduled to accommodate the growing number of graduates from the training courses held in the south which teach harness driving and racing skills plus the care of miniature horses and ponies.
The first race is scheduled for 11.39am.
Guns N Roses Rock At Gore (Sunday 25th April 2010)
After an impressive win at Gore today Guns N Roses is back on track for Saturday's $50,000 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes final at Ascot Park.
The three year old DM Dilinger gelding overaced in front at his last start at Addington finishing fourteen lengths from winner Van Washing Man. His early sectionals set up a sensational time of 3-11 for the 2600 metres.
After his trip to Christchurch and his hard run there co-trainer Tom Kilkelly was unsure how Guns N Roses would go today.
"I was a bit worried. I wasn't sure how he would go after the trip. It's hard to get a line on him as he works by himself at home," he said.
From the second row driver Allan Beck was able to position the three year old in the one one early before sprinting forward at the 900 metres to take the lead from Montecrengle. He then ran his last 800 in 56.6 - putting pay to any challengers coming from the back.
"Beckie (Allan Beck) said he was a different horse out there today. He used to be a bit of an arse around the place but he's quietened down."
Montecrengle's run was full of pluses. On the back of a maiden win at Winton he indicated he has a very good future, finishing three quarters of a length behind Guns N Rose - a three win horse going into todays race.
Kilkelly was also pleased with the run of Shark Ark which finished third.
"He got onto a knee as they can do at Gore. I think the 2700 metres (Supremacy Stakes Final distance) will suit him as he's a bit tougher."
Allan Beck will drive Guns N Roses in the final while stable reinsman Andrew Armour will handle Shard Ark.
Kilkelly, who owns Guns N Roses with wife Julie and John and Juliet Earl said there have been a number of enquiries to buy the horse but any transactions won't be done until after the Supremacy final.
With Kotare Mach, Motu Crusader,Captain Peacock and Franco Jamar all expected to front for Saturday's feature it promises to be one hot feature...bring it on.
Press The Button Turbine (Sunday 25th April 2010)
We've all been waiting, and today the Gil Shirley trained Turbine lived up to his private reputation when winning the Mataura Licensing Trust Mobile Pace at Gore.
Ever since he sensationally won a workout at Ascot Park running his last half in 55 seconds, there has been a buzz about this gelding with plenty of buyer interest.
No sale has eventuated however, and he began his career at the Riverton meeting in October.
Although he started as favourite. he could only muster seventh and it was found he had a virus. He was sent to Macca Lodge, treated and given time out to recover. He was jogged by stud owner Brent McIntyre before returning to the Shirley barn.
"Brendon Bell (vet) said his blood was out and he had a virus, and mother nature was the best thing for him. We gave him to Brent to look after and he's done a great job. He's a stockman and you can send horses there with confidence."
Turbine resumed racing last Saturday and ran a creditable second behind Carnaby Bromac which ran it's last 800 metres in 56.9.
Turbine was one of the few horses to make ground from the back, getting within a length and three quarters of the winner.
In today's race Brent Shirley drove him hard from the gate to lead early before favourite Wiluis Blues took the lead - Turbine taking the trail. Turning in, the Tinted Cloud gelding took the passing lane to beat Wiluis Blues by three quarters of a length.
"He gassed out of the gate and I was only going to hand up to one horse (Wilius Blues). With a 100 metres to go I gave him a flick. He's a class horse."
Shirley says he only plans to give the three year old one more start this season.
"His owners have said, let the horse do the talking. I don't want to chase the penalty free races for three year olds. He'll make a nice four year old."
He's raced by Shirley's wife Raewyn, John Edminstin of Bluff and Jimmy Wilks of Invercargill.
Raewyn Shirley and Edminstin raced his half brother When The Musics Over which won five races before being sold to Australia.
His dam Satire Franco raced from the Shirley stable and from sixteen starts she ran two fourths and banked only $475.
"I gave the mare to Raewyn as an engagement present thinking that if she hung around after that she was worth keeping."
The mare has a full brother to When The Musics Over called Dingo Deans which was sold to Brian O'Meara and shows promise but won't be seen until he's three. She has also left a Life Sign yearling colt and Betters Delight weanling colt..She's in foal to Santanna Blue Chip.
Satire Franco is a grand daughter of Smarty Pants which won ten races and left Vanderel, the winner of fourteen races.
Turbine
Meanwhile stable star Vi Et Animo started his northern campaign with a fifth, behind Harley Earl at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
Vi Et Animos which started from the 30 metre handicap recorded an amended time 3-25.2 for the 2700 metres which compares favourably with winner Harley Earl's winning time of 3-25.3.
"Todd (Mitchell) was very happy. We gave him the run to see whether he would handle the last bend. He didn't and lugged in. He didn't balance up until he had 100 metres to go and ran on well. We'll put a pole on him for the Taylor."
The Pacific Rocket's main targets are Friday night's $100,000. Woodlands Taylor Mile and the $150,000. Messenger a week later.
He could also line up in the Harness Emerald for four year old pacers -worth $200,000. at Cambridge.
"He'll have to get a good draw in the Taylor. The Messenger is his main goal."
Vi Et Alexandra (Tuesday 20th April 2010)
Brent Shirley has confirmed that Southland four year old Vi Et Animo will contest the Noel Taylor Mile and New Zealand Messenger at Alexandra Park in Auckland.
The $100,000. Woodlands Taylor Mile will be run on Friday 30th April while the $150,000. Messenger is held a week later.
Safely through these Group One assigments, Vi Et Animo will then race at Cambridge in the Harness Emerald for four year old pacers -worth $200,000.
While he's up north the Pacific Rocket gelding will be stabled at Todd Mitchell's stable with Shirley travelling north to supervise his training. It's also been confirmed that Mitchell will drive Vi Et Animo in all three major races.
The northern reinsman has had success in the Taylor Mile and Messenger previously, winning the double in 2003 with Just An Excuse and driving Homin Hosed to win the Messenger in 1999.
Mitchell has a 57 acre property at Tauwhare near Cambridge which has a private track, pool and the Raglan beach near by.
As a driver Todd Mitchell has driven over 800 winners - most of which have been on Alexandra Park.
Vi Et Animo returning to scale after winning the Invercargill Cup - Envious Photography
A Southland trained horse has never won the Taylor. The last two Southland trained horses to win the Messenger were Forte Prontezza in 1976 and Sapling in 1978.
In the 1976 Messenger trainer/driver Henry Skinner lead from the start with Forte Prontezza beating the Roy Purdon trained stablemates Sole Command and Final Curtain.
An interesting fact to come out of that race was that both the Purdon placegetters lined up later that night, with Final Curtain winning over a mile and stablemate Sole Command finishing third in the same race.
In the 1978 Auckland series Skinner drove Sapling which was trained by Ross Given at Kaiwera.
The northern campaign started in the worst possible way for the Young Charles entire. In his qualifying heat on the first night he finished last after breaking on the first bend.
Six days later, favourite Sapling charged off the gate and went straight to the lead. He was pestered by Canterbury visitor Overcheck driven by Robert Cameron for almost a full lap but Skinner kept the pressure on, setting a solid clip to beat Scottish Heath and Lancia.
His winning time for the 2700 metre mobile was 3-26.4 - slicing two seconds off Stanley Rio's race record set the year before.
Canny Jones Drive Gets Captain Home (Sunday 18th April 2010)
A canny drive by Mark Jones secured New Zealand Derby winner Captain Peacock a place in Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Finals at Ascot Park in a fortnight.
The Live Or Die three year old had to work hard early to get the lead from main rival Motu Crusader but from the 1800 metres Jones was able to dictate terms before pacing a final quarter in 26.8.
"It's always a worry with Motu Crusader on your back. He raced pretty lazy in front. He kicked at the turn and was lucky enough to hold on. He's probably a better horse chasing but when you're on the best horse you drive them accordingly. He kicked well when I asked him," said Jones.
The winning margin was half a head. Motu Crusader sprinting strongly up the passing lane and the result guarantees both horses a start in the $50,000 final.
The Supremacy series has been run in Southland since 1984 and Jones is full of praise for not only the Supremacy but all of the age group opportunities in the south.
"They're fantastic. New Zealand needs to take a good look at Southland. They have the Supremacy, Oaks and look after two year old fillies and colts and have race for four year old and older mares. I wish we could have a stable down here and race in these series."
Jones predicts a bright future for the Dean Taylor trained gelding.
"Potentially he's a cup horse. He's still got a bit to learn about the racing game - he knocks off when he hits the front but he'll keep getting better as he gets stronger and he's got the potential to go all the way."
Three year olds have one more opportunity at Gore next weekend to qualify for the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Final.
Captain Peacock and the crew - James Jubb
Adam At His Best (Sunday 17th April 2010)
On the back of an impressive trial win Carnaby Bromac win at odds of 21 to 1 surprised many.
Driving a treat by junior driver Adam Sanderson for boss Kirk Larsen the McArdle gelding with taken to the lead from barrier six in the Farmers Dipping Co Ltd Mobile at Winton yesterday.
"It wasn't any overly strong field so I wasn't expecting too many attackers," said Sanderson.
He was able to get away with some easy sectionals early in the event before sprinting the last 800 metres in 56.9.
"He's got plenty of speed especially after getting it so easy he's always going to run home a bit."
Despite two average performances in two starts this campaign there was some confidence in the stable.
"He disappointed us in his first few starts but he went good at the trials so it was whether he could bring it to race day. With his first two starts the recovering heart rate was quite high. We couldn't put it down to anything so we upped his work load and his heart has come back to us nicely. When he wasn't going that well his heart rate was 120 which were too high. He was only 95 today."
Carnaby Bromac began his racing career in the inaugural Young Gun Series in Auckland earning over $10,000 in the north with his best run a second behind Anvils Best Ever at Alexandra Park in December 2008.
He's a close relation to Lento and Awesome Armbro he was purchased by Kirk Larsen out of the 2008 Sale of the Stars at Christchurch for $21,000.
Runner up Turbine should take plenty of benefit out of today's run while third place getter Georgia Jazz could be sold to Melbourne through local agent Geoff Gibson-Smith.
Adam Sanderson and Carnaby Bromac winning at Winton - James Jubb
Monte First Up Run (Sunday 17th April 2010)
He was regarded as the bet of the day and Christian Cullen three year old Montecrengle was driven accordingly when taken to the front by driver Brent Barclay.
"We were out of trouble that way. When you're paying a $1-40 you don't want to be unlucky. Everything worked out pretty good. He just does what he has to do and is a better follower of speed. He's got a real high speed plus he's dumb and he can stay with it," said Barclay.
The promising gelding qualified impressively for Barclay's partner Lauren Pearson at Winton in February running his last 800 metres in 56.5.
He was bred by part owner Maurice Stevenson. who borrowed the gelding's dam Little Egypt for a season and sent her to Christian Cullen.
Little Egypt has proved to be an excellent broodmare leaving Roustabout which won two races in New Zealand before being sold to Australia. Other winners out of the mare are In The Ghetto and the promising Don't Be Cruel which has won twice from eight starts.
Stevenson shares the ownership with former Southlander Scott Mortimer and Barclay thinks the horses has the ability to win more races.
"He just feels like a real nice horse who should win three or four pretty quick."
Barclay said Montecrengle has been a perfect horse to prepare for racing.
"He's been a nice horse since we got him off Denise (Swain) He's just a pleasure to work he's a real gentleman."
Montecrengle - James Jubb
Earl Wins For Wayne (Sunday 11th April 2010)
Earls Son, having his first start since February trotted back into winning form at Ascot Park yesterday.
Given the perfect trip by Brent Barclay the Earl six year old cruised to the line to easily beat Kawarau King by a length.
"He was going good earlier in the season until be smashed a splint bone.We've just worked him at home and he had one workout last week and went really good so I thought it's about time we started," said trainer Wayne Adams.
Earls Son is out of the Gee Whiz II mare Be Not Afraid which won nine races for the Have Fun Syndicate - eight from the Adams stable.
"We got her when she was six rising seven. Earls Son hasn't got the speed of his mother and is probably not as nicely gaited as her. I don't think he'll be a top trotter but there's two or three more wins in him."
Adams has always trained a small number of squaregaiters with the most promising AKA Malabar having bone chips removed four months ago. The winner of two races is expected to come back into work in the new season.
His half brother - three year old Continentalman gelding Billy Ray is also showing promise.
Earls Son and Brent Barclay at Invercargill - Tania Dickson Envious Photography
Stu's Storm Light Wins Rough Race (Sunday 11th April 2010)
He doesn't have too many horses at the races these days but North Taieri trainer Stu Campbell does have a good strike rate.
Storm Light was his latest winner yesterday when she took out the Decor Joinery/John Higgins Insurance Junior Drivers event at the Northern Southland meeting.
The Washington VC mare managed to avoid some early carnage when favourite Joshua Mac broke coming out of the first bend and split the field in two.
She then improved on the back of Coughin with a lap to run to sit parked for the last 1000 metres and she outstayed her to win by a length and a quarter.
"She's got ability but she has a few problems in her head. Once she's on the track she's a lovely horse. It's just getting her there really," said Campbell.
She is owned by Joe and Raylene Thompson of Moeraki and it was her second win from just eleven starts. She retains her C1 assessment as yesterday's event was a penalty free race for junior drivers.
"She's got high speed and she's tough. She just hasn't had too much luck in her last three runs before today."
Matty Williamson and Storm Light returning - Tania Dickson Envious Photography
Storm Light is out of The Gladiator mare Abararka and is a full sister to Will It Matter which won two races for Tony Barron and one for Murray Swain. He was exported to Australia in 2008 where he has won a further four races from just nine starts - all last season.
Mustang Didn't Get Out Of Second Gear (Sunday 11th April 2010)
"Timmy said he wasn't out of second gear the whole way," were the telling comments from trainer Jamie Gameson after Mach Three two year old Mustang Mach, driven by Tim Williams lead all the way to win a maiden race at Ascot Park yesterday.
It was a win the stable was expecting and the formline suggested may happen.
"He ran fourth at Winton in February when they went 1-56 and he just hung the whole way so it was good to see him do everything right today. With the time he ran home (57.6 for the last 800 metres) he's up there with maybe not the best ones but the next tier," said Gameson.
It's certainly been a frustrating ride for the horse's owners which include Gameson's wife Natalie, his father and cousin, stable client Robin Beeby and first time owner Peter Burt from Timaru.
"They've been pretty patient.They've turned up to the races when he's galloped, so it's a bugger he's (Burt) not here today. He's (Mustang Mac) always had the ability but he can let himself down. His mother (Soonenuff) did it the first few times she went to the races."
The style of Mustang Mach winning for Tim Williams - Tania Dickson Envious Photography
Soonenuff won three races for Gameson and time trialed over a mile in 1-58.0.
Mustang Mac is the Live Or Die's first foal while his half brother by Falcon Seelster, Sharpenuff was bought by Southlander Peter Chamberlain at this years sales for $15,000.
Mustang Mac which is on the market could race in a heat of the Sires Stakes and is also nominated for the Breeders Crown in Australia.
His time of 2-46.0 for the 2200 metres was only .7 of a second outside of the track and Southland record for two year olds. Another son of Mach Three Comebackmach holds the record of 2-45.3.
Norman's Biggest Winner (Sunday 11th April 2010)
Yesterday's win by Easton Swift in the $25,000. Caduceus Club of Southland /Nevele R Stud 2 yr old Fillies Classic was Gore trainer Brian Norman's biggest.
"I've won a few $20,000. races but they never had a name to them," he said.
And yesterday's win completed a busy period for the Washington VC juvenile.
"She's a big filly which will get better with the longer distances. She's had three runs in ten days. She went to the Winton trials on Wednesday and went 3-06. I timed her last half in 56.2 and she was running on. We went to the Invercargill races on Tuesday and got wiped out."
Driven by Dexter Dunn in yesterday's feature Easton Swift charged home to beat favourite Jumpforjoy by a neck. Jumpforjoy's run was full of merit with the Bettor's Delight filly receiving a number of checks in a race full of drama. Citylight choked down and crashed to the deck with 600 metres to run and driver Allan Beck was taken to hospital with suspected concussion.
Easton Swift is out of Son Of Afella mare She Who Dares which according to Norman was restricted in her limited race career because she hit a knee.
Brian Norman - Envious Photography
She's out of Norman's first racehorse the Country Road - Isadora trotting mare Darling Dora. He bought the mare as a yearling off Grant Sim at the Southland Sales for $1,800.
Darling Dora was the first horse Norman owned and trained and the first horse he took to the races. She won her first start for her young trainer - at Wyndham in March 1985 paying $35.45 to win.
Although Easton Swift raced in Brian Norman's name on Saturday she has been sold to West Australian trainer Aldo Cortapassi. But Norman is unclear as to when the new ownership will require the filly to be in Perth.
"I suppose you have to look at the Jewels now. You get five thousand dollars for starting. She's staying here at this stage."
Norman is also heading for a change of location and occupation. Plans are well underway for the purchase of a 530 acre farm near Owaka where he plans to graze beef, cattle and horses.
He still plans to train racehorses and a track will be laid on the new property. He also plans to use the nearby beach for straight line training. He hopes the new lifestyle will be a refreshing change from the endless hours as a professional horse trainer.
"I intend to take a holiday every year. Intend."
