Bits and Bridles

Having had a successful harness racing campaign in Brisbane under the guidance of David and Stacey White, the former Nathan and Mark Purdon trained Major Hot (Art Major) remains in Australia for the Victoria Derby.

“He’s staying there for now for the Derby. Then the owners will make a call on whether he comes back for the Slot race and Derby here, or whether they just leave him over there,” co trainer Nathan said.

The $200,000 Group One Victoria Derby is at Melton on October 12^th and is raced over 2760 metres.

The three year old who is raced by Glenys and Phil Kennard, the Breckon Racing Syndicate, Jim and Anne Gibbs and Gary and Keri Woodham, is now in Blake Fitzpatrick’s barn.

While under the White’s care, in late July Major Hot won the $150,000 Group One Ladbrokes Queensland Derby at Albion Park.

The Oamaru Harness Racing Club is gearing up for a bumper day in two weeks time.

The time honoured G3 $40,000 Hannon Memorial for Cup class pacers headlines the Sunday 15^th September programme and it’s a race that’s been earmarked by a good handful of IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup aspirants including American Me (American Ideal) which is trained by Brent and Tim White.

“He’s had one soft trial and we’ve given him a private hit out at home. He’ll head to the Hannon as a starting point then onto probably the Methven Cup,” Brent said.

The supporting card is also strong with the G3 Jasmyn’s Gift Fillies and Mares Handicap, a $30,000 Nevele R Fillies Series Heat and the $25,000 Diamond Creek Farm Oamaru Juvenile Stakes for two year olds.

One two year old year old that won’t be there is Hammer Down (Always B Miki) as he’s been sold to West Australian interests.

Purchased by Southland trainer Nathan Williamson for just $20,000 at the 2023 NZB Standardbred Sales in Christchurch, the gelding was raced by Brendan Fahy and the Dreams Are Free Syndicate which race the talented Dreams Are Free.

“Right from early days he reminded me of Tas Man Bromac (American Ideal). In saying that when good money comes along you can’t turn it down. For those young fellas that are in the syndicate it puts some money in their pockets. They’ve turned down a lot of offers for Dreams Are Free so it’s good for them to sell this one. They’ve already bought another one and are looking at going back to the sales next year,” Williamson said.

Hammer Down which was bred by Steve Baucke won on debut at Wyndham in June.

Tas Man Bromac won ten races for Williamson and was beaten by a nose in the 2015 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes, ran third behind Field Marshal and Locharburn in the Superstars Championship and second to Field Marshal in the Taylor Mile.

The Patterson Bros Syndicate members are having a great run with horses they own or have a share in.

Dalton Shard (Always B Miki) qualified for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup when he won for the syndicate while at the Rangiora trials today Captain Commodore (Captain Crunch) trained by Cran and Chrissie Dalgety got his ticket when he ran second in his heat.

The two year old is the second foal out of Bettor’s Delight mare Kensington Kate. Her first foal Duchess Of Megxit, (Sweet Lou) has won six of her eleven starts for Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan. Her last win was in the G1 Sires Stakes Three Year Old Fillies Championship at Alexandra Park in May.

She too is raced by members of the Patterson family who own the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink