Thursday 22nd July - Ascot Park Raceway - Invercargill
Qualifying Trot 2200 metres (required time 3-04.7)
Qualifers:
Monnay – Megan Irvine and Ivan Gutsell (2 yr old gelding Monarchy – Our Nay Nay) 3-03.6
Pedigree notes: This gelding is the mare's first foal. Our Nay Nay is a half sister by Britwell to Suemosam the winner of four races.
Leave It Alone - Billy Heads (5 yr old gelding Muscle Yankee - Elgin Princess) 3-03.6
Pedigree notes: Her dam won five races and has left Sylvia Star (3 wins), Leonard (4 wins) and Don Pauli (2 wins).
Trial notes:
After a great beginning, Leave It Alone trotted to the lead with Monnay trailing. The other two contenders galloped out of contention. Monnay joined Leave It Alone with 700 metres to run and the pair trotted to the line to deadheat.
Qualifying Pace 2200 metres (required time 2-55.3)
Qualifiers:
Jaccka Norm – Murray Gray (3 yr old gelding Courage Under Fire - Nice Touch) 2-52.8
Pedigree notes: Out of a nicely bred mare by OK Bye out of No Regrets.
Shades Of Peru - Doug McLachlan (3 yr old gelding Peruvian Hanover - My Toobro) 2-53.2
Pedigree notes: Related to Shades Of Success (6 wins) and The Wasp (1 win).
Shades Of Astreos - Doug McLachlan (2 yr old colt Astreos - The Wasp) 2-55.3
Pedigree notes: Our of Stands Together mare The Wasp (1 win).
Trail notes:
Shades Of Astreos lead early but was reined up with 1400 metres to run. Stablemate Shades Of Peru moved up at the 800 metres with Jaccka Norm on it's back. Jaccka Norm took the lead in the home straight and won easily by two lengths from Shades Of Peru and Shades Of Astreos. All three qualified.
Mobile Pace 2200 metres (1 or more wins)
Trail notes:
Red Dot lead early but ran off with 1600 metres to run. Scott It took the lead and won this heat easily by two and a quarter lenghts from Red Dot and Armbro Winger.
Mobile Pace 2200 metres (non winners)
Trial notes:
Woodburn Lady lead all the way to easily beat Kelvin Grove by four and a half lengths with John Daly a distant third. Woodburn Lady looks an early season prospect.
Trot 2200 metres (1 to 4 wins)
Trial notes:
Just the two runners with the classy Jaccka Hello beating Superstarourwishes. Jaccka Hello, one of the trotting finds from this season, looked big and bold and ready to win.
Benny's Barn (Monday 19th July 2010)
By Bruce Stewart
When you come across Dancingonmoonlight Farm you just think "wow!"
It's nice enough country as you head towards the mountains away from Kaiapoi, but this well designed and manicured property where the gardens appear to receive as much care as the horses, is a stand out racing establishment.
New character houses, top accommodation for staff and horses all aimed at turning out a top product.
Horse trainer Brendon 'Benny' Hill admits he's a pretty lucky man. Sure he's inherited talented Monkey King and Bailey's Dream but there's no doubting he is still getting the best out of these tireless grand circuit warriors.
He strikes you as a perfectionist who has an eye for detail and gets to know his horses . He makes up each individual feed himself.
"They get a fair bit of it. We've got plenty of pasture, we grow our own lucerne, we've got local hay, and Mitavite 2 is a big part of our feed. It's all about getting to know the individual horse and knowing how much they need or don't need to be honest," said Hill.
Dancingonmoonlight Farm spreads across 180 acres. The main training track is 1000 metres - marked every 200 metres; the surface a mixture of crusher dust and sand. The inside track is smaller and deeper providing great leg work which conditions a horse for the rigours of hard racing.
"We used to go to the beach a bit but we've got a track conditioner now which conditions the track so we've tried to bring the beach to the backyard."
Part of the set up - Water truck and tractor.
There are twenty boxes in the barn plus seven other seperate covered in boxes which are mainly used for the young horses. There are also twenty day paddocks - all a good size and well managed through stock rotation with cattle. All horses are spelled on the property.
"We like to have twenty to twenty five horses in work at one time. We've got big staff numbers and everyone's got work to do so we keep the numbers up. If it's not the racehorses it's the young ones we're mucking around with."
Sara Famularo runs the barn in the morning while Hill spends a lot of time on the training track. Famularo, the daughter of the farm's owners Robert and Kerry Famularo also assists in planning where the team will be racing and how they'll get there.
The Barn - Photo Bruce Stewart
Down the back of the farm is the stud operation. Because of time restrictions it wasn't on my agenda - maybe next time. But some facts that did come through from my chat to Hill were that Cavalla Bloodstock has thirty broodmares and raises it's own racing stock.
"We don't put them through the sales any more because we found that didn't work. So we're happy to keep them racing and see what turns up."
Anna Cox who works in the barn during the winter looks after the breeding operation with resident stallion Sands A Flyin.
Hill has a harness racing heritage. His uncles are harness trainer's Michael and James Stormont. As a fifteen year old he became an apprentice jockey to Marty and Wendy Dunlop. But he was soon putting his energy into standardbreds and as a driver was the leading UDR junior in the 1995-1996 season.
Throughout the early part of his career he learned the trade from a wide range of excellent tutors including northern trainer Steven Reid.
"The thing I leared from Steven was not to be scared about trying different things. He would give anything a go, like changing gear or the way he worked a horse. I also learnt a lot off Bunty Hughes especially the handling of the young ones and how to feed."
The Interdominion will be raced at Addington in March and Hill is hopeful that he can have up to six horses contesting the series.
Monkey King, Bailey's Dream, Power Of Tara (a recent purchase out of Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan's barn), Harley Earl, Tennis Ball and possible 'smokey' Ultimate Player.
"I really like the horse (Ulimate Player). It might be a bit much of an ask but we have to aim at something. I think if he pulls his head in and sorts himself out he could be a starter. He's got a good motor."
You somehow get the impression that the Dream Away gelding, a product of Cavalla Bloodstock, is Hill's personal project and at the time of writing Ultimate Player was still a C1 horse doing things wrong, but his trainer say's he getting better and one day the light will go on.
"That trip to Auckland was just so benifical for him and he's come back better and a lot stronger mentally and physically - especially mentally. Hopefully you'll see his true worth on the track one day."
Dancingonmoonlight prides itself on breeding and training horses for the country's best races but Hill said he doesn't feel the pressure from the Famularos.
"Robert and Kerry are pretty relaxed about it all. It's a business and we do the best we can to have them right on the day for the big races. If there's any pressure it's me putting it on myself with high expectations. It's all about getting classic horses. We're not ones to head down to Forbury on a Thursday or Friday night. We stick to the big races and meetings if we can."
The Hill record for the current season reiterates this fact; 73 starters, 24 wins, 15 seconds and 10 thirds for $1,395,525 in stakes and a UDR of .4886.
Benny and Big Bailey
Part of the stable's success has been utilising the driving skills of Ricky May. May is the perfect fit for a stable that looks after it's horses with it's day to day care and never over taxes it's runners.
"He's huge. He's second to none that man. You can race a horse three or four weeks in a row because he just looks after them. He's always about the big picture and the big races. He's just an incredible driver and we're very lucky to have him as a driver and a friend."
May is also a big part of the sulky development for which the stable is renowned. The lastest sulky protype was in the barn while I was there, but no photo's were allowed.
The work carts - Photo Bruce Stewart
The shoeing is done by Canterbury horseman Adam White.
"He's just come a long way. He does a very good job and we get comments at the races on how good our horses feet are and that's all credit to him."
Adam's father Barry also works for Hill partime and helps with track maintainence, works horses and does all the broodmare and young horses feet.
Youngster Mitchell Jordon is also a big part of the operation. While I was there he was handling the next crop of racehorses - the weanlings.
"He's second to none with the young ones. He looks after all the young ones - does all the handling and is very patient. He's only twenty two and he's got a gift. We're very luck to have him. He worked for Wayne Ross and he's also worked in Australia."
Mitchell Jordan handling the weanlings
The property, which has been developed over the last ten years, was once a dairy farm and had some orchards. The set up is still being fine tuned and a new six bay shed is nearing completion for the horse truck, tractor and track conditioner.
The farm and property management is looked after by Ben Lanyon who supervises six staff that Hill calls 'landscape technicians.' Lanyon has come from a golfing background and has been involved in designing golf courses. One of his current projects is building a nine hole golf course on the property.
Long well manicured lawns, trimmed hedges and plenty of roses provide soft contrasts to the strong practical barn and fence structures.
Hill doesn't live on the property. He's seven kilometres down the road on a 10 acre property and is ready to build a house. So his stay in Canterbury looks permanent.
Purdon/Payne All Star Powerhouse (Monday 12th July 2010)
By Bruce Stewart
On a recent visit to Christchurch I popped into the all conquering Rolleston stables of Mark Purdon and Grant Payne.
Mark was on holiday and mapping out a plan for the stable's smart two year old Major Mark in the Australian Breeders Crown so Grant kindly showed me around.
When you come across the well appointed property you are certainly struck by it's sheer size - something I'd never seen before.
There was plenty of southern stock in work and Grant had no hesitation in pointing me in the direction of the Riverton bred Highview Teejay a young horse he considers to be a natural two year old; but more on him later.
The Levi Road property covers 70 acres and the covered barn has 32 boxes - 16 at either end so it's easy to separate the colts from the fillies.There are 8 additional covered boxes outside.
Inside the barn - Photo Carl Stewart
The stable, which was developed from barn land operates on three tracks; a jogging track, one for fast work and a straight line track - all 1000 metres.
"It's not just for the trotters, we use it for all horses. It gives them variety in their work and they seem to enjoy it," said Grant Payne.
Rising two year olds working out - Photo Carl Stewart
The barn has 40 horses in work and runs like a well oiled machine with up to 12 staff. Some are being geared up while hopple work continues on the track.
Gearing up the next lot - Photo Carl Stewart
The stable had 25 rising two year old on their books while I was there.
"With the babies we have five of us out there on the track at one time. We are just doing strong work (currently) and we'll put the clock on them shortly. They'll all run a half in 1-25 or 1-30 and we'll work them down from there."
One of the 'babies" was Highview Teejay a full brother to Highview Tommy which Purdon bought for $90,000 at February's Christchruch sales.
"He feels quite nice and is like Tommy in so many ways. He'll make a two year old and he's got Highview Tommy's attitude," Payne enthused.
Highview Tommy's full brother Highview Teejay as a foal at Highview Stud. Photo Bruce Stewart
Another youngster with a rich pedigree was an Artsplace colt out of a half sister to Rocknroll Hanover which is owned by Ian Dobson.
"He's got he same way of going as Major Mark and appears to be the goods."
Impressive Invercargill winner Hands Christian is back in work and the stable expects he will develop into one of their better three year olds.
"He was spelled at Diane Cournane's. He's done five weeks jogging and looks really well. He's looking a picture."
Hands Christian - Tania Dickson
Others in the stable with southern connections were Breath Of Life, Scotty Mach, Arden Tetrick, a half sister to Bettor's Strike and a Bettor's Delight Tosca Hanover colt.
The stable will finish the season with over three million dollars in the bank and once again win the training premiership. One thing's for certain - some of the potential stars will kick on to greater heights - a few may be champions and you can rest assured the new brigade of young horses will be establishing themselves in the new season. It's just a matter of which ones.
Group Changes (Wednesday 30th June 2010)
By Bruce Stewart
The Southland Oaks and Southern Supremacy Stakes are each to have a format change.
After two seasons of battling small fields under the heats system, the Southland Harness clubs have decided to adopt a stakes won in Southland formula, similar to the Harness Jewels, to decide the fields for both finals.
In order to be eligible for the finals, the conditions of the series will require horses to have started in at least two races run by Southland clubs. And all sales series and harness plus bonuses will be excluded.
Despite not having specific heats, Southland Harness CEO Russell Freeman says there should be plenty of chances to progress to the finals.
"There'll be an even spread of other races suitable for the three year olds over the season, particularly after Christmas. So horses will have plenty of opportunities to get their stakes up."
Economics will also mean that both finals, run on the 30th April, will carry a minimum stake of $40,000. compared to this seasons $50,000. but Freeman believes the quality of horses in the finals won't change.
"We would get 14 nominations for a heat but when trainers saw horses like Kotare Mach nominated they would tranfser their horse to a maiden race. We had small numbers (in the heats) which did affect turnover."
The timing of both finals is important as horses try to amp up their earnings for the Harness Jewels at Queens Birthday weekend.
The Southland clubs are also considering getting special sets of colours for the series leader similar to the popular Harness Jewels yellows. These will be worn by the the leading stakes earner racing in the province.
Freeman says sponsors of the Oaks and Supremacy have been involved in the redesign process and are keen to see the change. Alabar, Nevele R Stud and Macca Lodge will continue to get exposure with a number of races for three year olds in the province carrying their name. They are also likely to get their logos on the leader colours.
Freeman says the new series format will be well publicised to give trainers the opportunity to understand the new concept.
Happy 21st Beaudiene Bad Babe (Saturday 5th June 2010)
By Bruce Stewart
She's truly the pride of the south and Beaudiene Bad Babe's win in the $200,000 Nevele R Stud 4 Year Old Diamond at Cambridge today was her twenty first career victory, and is singularly the province's best result in the last decade.
It was also Murray Brown's 21st win of the season. Brown has trained a total of 346 winners since, Mike Adios won at Ascot Park in September 1984.
As many predicted, Beaudiene Bad Babe followed Indrah through from her second line draw. She was posted three wide before taking the lead by driver Dexter Dunn with just over a lap to run, and won easily by two lengths from Indrah.
"Dexter said she just jogged it. He never pulled the plugs until the 50 metre mark and he never hit her," said Brown.
It's was Dunn's second Jewels winner. Last year he drove the Southland bred Smiling Shard to win the two year old event for colts and geldings at Ashburton.
Today's win was the Badland Hanover mare's 21st from 36 starts and eighth win of the season. The $100,000 won today lifts her stake earnings to $348,226 and she now has a winning mile time of 1-55.7.
Brown watched the event at the 100 metre mark - the same place he watched her win the week before. He said he was pretty relaxed prior to the race.
"I was more nervous at Cambridge last week. Her work on Tuesday was good and on Thursday she worked real good. It was the best I could get her."
It was Brown's first Group One winner - he'd previously trained two Group One placegetters - Absolutely Brilliant which ran third behind Molly Darling, and Mainland Banner, in the 2005 Nevele R Fillies Series Final. And Beaudiene Bad Babe's grand dam, Beaudiene Debtor ran second to Blazing Spirit for Brown in the 1995 DB Draught Fillies Series final.
There has been talk of Beaudiene Bad Babe racing in the Interdominion series next season at Addington by Brown said not plans have been made yet.
"The owner are on a high at the moment so we'll talk later on."
There has also been ongoing offers to buy the mare but Brown said her owners will "never sell."
Beaudiene Bad Babe - Enviuos Photography
The win was the first for a Southland trained horse in the four year old history of the jewels and also the first time a Southland horse has worn the yellow jewels colours into the series finale.
Breeder Dave Kennedy and wife Dawn were on-course to see the win and Dave Kennedy said there was a large contingent of Southlanders at Cambridge to congratulate the connections. The group included long time strapper Hayley Croft who shifted to Christchurch during the season to further her netball career with the Canterbury Tactix.
"It's great for Southland and the win for Browny is not before time," said Kennedy.
The dam of Beaudiene Bad Babe, Beaudiene Babe is in foal to Art Major and will return to Badlands Hanover in the spring.
Kennedy is no stranger to Group One success, breeding with Wayne Pierce Happy Asset - the winner of 14 races including the 1999 Auckland Cup.
