Bits and Bridles

Tamahere horseman Luk Chin achieved a memorable feat at Cambridge last night when he quinellaed the first race with full brothers Barsukov and Mazeppa, sons of Love You, out of Barsukova (Sundon). Outsider Barsukov driven by Emily Johnson got the decision by a nose from favourite Mazeppa driven by his trainer. Had it been a dead heat it would probably have been a world first.

BARSUKOV REPLAY

Over the last 96 years HRNZ records show 26 six siblings have quinellaed a race in New Zealand.

Two foals out of Moccasin – Stylish Major and Le Chant did it twice in 1967 and two of the progeny of Lockerup- La Femme D’Argent and Sovereignty achieved it twice in the 2010.

Other notable quinellas include Scottish Command and Heather Mary in 1959, Easton Light and Miss Debra in 1973, Martina H and Tony H in 2002 and I Can Doosit and Sno’s Big Boy in 2010.

Rising Southland trotting star Fiery Bandito (Majestic Son) is back in work for Tisbury trainer Kirstin Green.

The giant five year old won five of his ten starts in the first part of the season including a four race winning streak through March and April which included a one and a half length win at Addington.

“The grade he’s in he’s going to travel up to Addington a bit because he’s going to be off big marks down here. Sometimes a trip up the road can be easier where you can race in your own grade. We’ve definitely got Cup Week in mind and hopefully we can pick up some nice races on the way,” trainer Kirstin Green said.

Young Ashburton trainer John Morrison is beginning to build a larger racing team around him. In the last couple of months he’s had six qualifiers in Adelphi Storm (Sky Major), Teddy The Terror (Terror To Love), Fear And Faith (Father Patrick), Heaven’s Mark (Rock N Roll Heaven), Watching Brief (He’s Watching), and Sweet Trixie (Sweet Lou).

Perhaps the most impressive was Watching Brief, a two length winner at Rangiora at the end of May. The three year old filly’s pedigree goes back to Mighty Me (11 wins) and Coringa It’ll Me Mee (9).

Olivia Thornley is branching out into training. The Group One winning driver whose day job is at the All Stars Racing Stables at Rolleston, trained a qualifier Starstruck (Volstead) at Rangiora two weeks ago.

The three year old was bred by Olivia and her mother Jackie and they race the filly with Peter Baken.

Thornley is yet to take a horse to the races.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink