Southern snippets

The G1 $1110,000 Invercargill Cup appears to be attracting a top field Republican Party (Bettor’s Delight), Beach Ball (Somebeachsomewhere), Self Assured (Bettor’s Delight) Mossdale Ben (A Rocknroll Dance) and defending champion Krug (Bettor’s Delight) likely to head south for the twilight harness meeting at Ascot Park on Friday 22^nd December.

Locally Pembrook Playboy (Bettor’s Delight) is down to run, while horses from the Telfer and Dunns stables are likely to be nominated as well.

The Southland trainers premiership is shaping up as a two stable race as we head into the business end of the season. Wyndham trainer Craig Ferguson who’s looking for his first title, is currently on thirty one wins, four ahead of Nathan Williamson on twenty seven.

The driver premiership is also a race between the pair, with Ferguson on forty four and Williamson on forty three.

Dawson (Sweet Lou) looks like a horse with plenty of upside. His close second to Major Art (Art Major) in the Timaru Juvenile Stakes yesterday was outstanding. Trained at Gore by Tony Stratford the two year old led and was run down late by a horse that had raced in the best company all season.

The well-bred Ultimate Weapon (Bettor’s Delight) qualified at the Winton trials on Friday. The two year old trained by Nathan Williamson is a brother to Major Reality (Art Major) and a full brother to Ultimate Machete and Ultimate Sniper. Ultimate Weapon won his heat by a neck with Bridget Louise (A Rocknroll Dance) finishing second. She’s out of ten win Falcon Seelster mare Beckinsale who’s a half-sister to good Australian winners Young Conqueror (Mach Three) 15 wins and Mighty Conqueror (American Ideal) 22 wins.

Pay Me Speedy also impressed at the trials winning by four lengths for Winton trainer Chelsea Faithful.

Dragon Power (Fear The Dragon) looked to have potential when the two year old won his learners heat by two lengths. Bred by Macca Lodge which stands Fear The Dragon the gelding is trained by Murray Brown for the Tri-Code Syndicate.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink