Aussie breeder chasing $1million Hambletonian success

Aldebaran Park principal Duncan McPherson says victory in this weekend’s $1million Hambletonian would sit right up there with the greatest achievements he could accomplish in harness racing.

Three-year-old colt Sonofamistery (Muscle Hill-Mistery Woman) was jointly bred by Aldebaran Park and Millstream Stable, and qualified for the iconic US race with a fourth placing in an elimination of the series.

He looms as one of the key chances in the lucrative final on Sunday at the Meadowlands.

“The biggest moment I’ve ever had in harness racing was going to the Hambletonian and watching Aldebaran Eagle run second in a heat and sixth in the final,” McPherson said.

“This, for us as breeders, would be mind-blowing (to win).”

McPherson said the Hambletonian, which is this weekend being run for the 96^th time, was a prized event with so much prestige.

“Generally, the winner of that is stamped as a stallion for commercial purposes. It is one of the stallion-making races in the world,” he said.

“As an owner, I’ve had a Hambo runner (Aldebaran Eagle) and as a breeder I’m going to have a Hambo runner.

“If he gets a good draw, he’s a definite chance in the final.”

Aldebaran Park raced Mistery Woman in the US – where she won over half a million dollars in prizemoney – and then bred two foals from her. The first of those was purchased for $US210,000 and the second – Sonofamistery – went for $US170,000.

Sonofamistery, who is trained by Marcus Melander, recently captured a division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial in a career-best 1:50.2 mile rate at the Meadowlands.

Muscle Hill has sired three Hambletonian winners, including Ramona Hill (2020), Marion Marauder (2016) and Trixton (2014).

By Tim O’Connor for HRV