USA
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
Europe
UK / IRE
James Arthur “Art” Meeker grew up on his family’s property at Klamath Falls in Oregon, USA, where he was expected to follow the traditional path of a cattle rancher. However, his life took a different direction when he pursued a career in veterinary science — a decision that ultimately led him to Tasmania.
In 1972, Meeker established Neptune Stud at Colebrook in Southern Tasmania, a farm that quickly developed into one of Australia’s most significant standardbred breeding centres. Under his guidance, Neptune Stud imported influential stallions such as Holly Sands and Scotch Luck, both of whom became successful sires in Australasia. Meeker later added Duke Duane to the roster, a stallion who produced standout juvenile The Yank, crowned the 2018 Two-Year-Old of the Year.
Meeker’s contribution to the industry was widely recognised. In 2015 he received the prestigious Edgar Tatlow Medal, followed the next year by a Meritorious Service Award from Harness Racing Australia. Art Meeker passed away in 2020 at the age of 79.
Following his death, TasRacing honoured his legacy by renaming one of the state’s feature mares’ races. Since 2020, the Matron Stakes has been known as the Art Meeker Memorial Matron Stakes.
This year’s edition was won in dominant fashion by the Rohan Hiller-trained and driven NOVA BAXTER. The Blissful Hall mare exploded from her 20-metre handicap in the standing-start feature, quickly securing the trail behind the leader. With a lap to travel, Hiller eased away from the pegs, and when he asked Nova Baxter to sprint, she put a decisive 20 metres on her rivals.
Nova Baxter is a homebred mare from a deep family — her grand-dam Lobo Anastasia produced two half-million-dollar earners in Lombo Navigator and Victorian Oaks winner Baryna.
Hiller told TasRacing he now plans to aim the mare toward Tasmania’s premier mares’ event, The George Johnson, to be run at the end of February.
For complete race entries, click here.
by Gary Newton for Harnesslink
