Two Aardies off to Aussie and Russian to have her first drive

Two of Steve and Amanda Telfer’s best harness racing mares –  Aardies Express (Always B Miki) and Aardiebytheseaside (Downbytheseaside) are to do their future racing in Australia.

Both are owned by Canadian Mike Tanev and Aardies Express last raced in the G1 Queen of Hearts at Alexandra Park in December, finishing eighth.

“Mike’s sent her over to Sydney. There are a lot more racing opportunities for mares there. We’ve jogged her up for four weeks and she left last week to go to Jack Trainor’s,” Steve said.

The $100,000 Riverina Championship (31^st March) and the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile (4^th May) could be races for Aardies Express.

She only raced nineteen times in New Zealand, recording thirteen wins and two seconds, earning her $192,614.

“She’s a great staying mare with a bit of speed. It’s just a shame that her body wasn’t able to keep up in some of the big races. Mike’s thinking that with a water walker and swimming they’ll be able to keep her off the track and hopefully she’ll stand up to racing a wee bit better.”

Her wins included the G3 Northern Breeders Stakes, G3 Hannon Memorial, Listed Harness ‘7000’ and the G2 Southern Oaks.

And Telfer confirmed that Aardies Express has an ET Bettor’s Delight colt on the ground.

“While she was on a break Robert Famularo and Mike invested in putting her in foal. I haven’t seen him but he’s a nice type apparently.”

Aardiebytheseaside is also heading across the Tasman. She had twenty one starts for eight wins and eight minor placings winning $220,676. Her biggest win which was in the G1 New Zealand Oaks at Addington in December was her last start.

“Before and after the Oaks there was a bit of toing and froing and Mike’s done a deal and sold a half share to Greg Bond over in Perth. She had two or three weeks in Christchurch and left on the second week of January.”

There are mares races coming up at Gloucester Park that Aardiebytheseaside could be aimed at – the $75,000 Group Two Express Stakes on 19^th April and the $50,000 Group Three WASBA Breeders Stakes on 3^rd May.

“Both horses were probably at a stage where there were probably only two or three fillies and mares races that they could target here. It was a business decision and it makes good sense to be honest.”

Meanwhile Stonewall Stud will be introducing a new driver to its ranks tomorrow night at Cambridge.

Russian born Kirstina Denifostova will have her first drive for the stable when she pairs up with Fernleigh Cash in Race Five.

“She actually called in to the farm a few months ago. She drove in Russia and rode Montes as well. They just had trotters over there so the pacers have been a wee bit different for her. She’s a good young girl and very very keen. I’m sure with a bit more experience she’ll become quite a good driver. Her passion is unwavering. Her partner is over here, he’s a builder who’s been over here for about three years.”

Denifostova will also drive Cyren Shard at Auckland on Friday night.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink