A shot at back-to-back titles

A shot at back-to-back NZB Standardbred Harness Million victories awaits Outamyway (NZ) (Love You), who will contest his second title in the lucrative harness racing Series at Addington on Friday 21 May.

The Paul Nairn trained gelding will be looking to add the $75,000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million Three-Year-Old Trot (1980m) to his resume, after claiming a brilliant win in the inaugural Listed Harness Million Two-Year-Old Trot (1980m) in 2020.

Outamyway was a $17,500 purchase out of Julie Baynes’ draft at NZB Standardbred’s 2019 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.

The Love You gelding produced a stayer’s effort in his first Harness Million win, running home powerfully from off the speed to score.

Paul Nairn would love to see a strong speed on Friday night to set up a similar kind of race for Outamyway.

“He is quite a good stayer,” the trainer said.

“We know he has got the ability, he has just got to hope he gets it right.”

Outamyway made a rare mistake at Addington last week and was later declared a non-starter after scoring back-to-back wins.

Nairn is hopeful the trotter can quickly bounce back to his best form.

“I am hoping it is a case of a poor dress rehearsal making for a great opening night,” the trainer said.

“I have made some changes to his shoes this week and I just hope we have got him right on the night.”

Outamyway has been installed as the second favourite for Friday night’s feature behind Leaf Stride (NZ) (Love You).

Leaf Stride was purchased by leading owners Emilio and Mary Rosati’s Stride for $90,000 at the 2019 Christchurch National Yearling Sale from Michelle Caig’s draft.

The three-year-old produced excellent efforts in the recent $60,00 Group Two Lone Star Sires Stakes Trotters Championship (2200m) at Alexandra Park and the $100,000 Group One Livamol New Zealand Trotting Derby (2600m) at Addington.

Like Outamyway, Leaf Stride made a rare mistake in his last race track outing, which has only added more intrigue to Friday night’s race.

Regal Attire (NZ) (Muscle Hill) looks to be a big threat to the two favourites in the Harness Million Three-Year-Old Trot.

The Hayden Cullen trained three-year-old was a $65,000 purchase from Breckon Farms at the 2019 Auckland National Yearling Sale.

Regal Attire has hit form at the right time, winning at last week’s premier meeting at Addington following a fourth placing in the $90,000 Group One Breckon Farms Northern Trotting Derby (2700m) at Alexandra Park.

Son Of Patrick (NZ) (Father Patrick) beat home Regal Attire in the Northern Trotting Derby and he also brings brilliantly consistent form to Friday night’s event.

Barry Purdon, who trains the three-year-old in partnership with Scott Phelan, purchased Son Of Patrick from Nathan Williamson’s draft at the 2019 Christchurch National Yearling Sale for $45,000.

Trainers Greg and Nina Hope have qualified two horses for Friday night’s Harness Million Final in King Of Love (NZ) (Love You) and Franco Jorik (NZ) (Muscle Mass).

The Jack Harrington trained Salvo (NZ) (Love You) rounds out a classy lineup of three-year-olds who will clash in the lucrative feature.

The $75,000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million Three-Year-Old Trot (1980m) will be run as Race 7 at 8:08PM (NZT) at Addington Raceway on Friday 21 May.

2021 Harness Million Three-Year-Old Trot Final Field

NZB Standardbred