Bits and Bridles

When harness racing junior driver David Grundmann won his first race on Benjaman Button for Sailesh Abernethy at Cambridge last night, he was the ninth junior to rein a first winner this season.

BENJAMAN BUTTON REPLAY

He joins:

• Seth Hill – Falcons Watch at Cromwell 6^th January
• Henry Sail – Ebury Street at Cromwell 23^rd February
• Kristina Denifostova – Fernleigh Cash at Cambridge 7^th March
• Brooke Fode – Jordon Anne at Ascot Park 9^th March
• Hayden Douglas – Magic Sign at Ascot Park 4^th April
• Emily Johnson – Jasinova at Cambridge 25^th April
• Harrison Orange – Ilsas Son at Alexandra Park 2^nd August
• Kate Coppins – President Flynntin at Cambridge 20^th August
• David Grundmann – Benjamin Button at Cambridge 27^th August

Somebeachsomewhere stallion Stay Hungry will be represented by his first New Zealand runner when Beaudiene Hunter lines up in the Marshall Industries Mobile Pace for two year olds at Winton tomorrow.

Beaudiene Hunter is one of only five two year olds in this country and was sold by Dave Kennedy as part of the SBSR draft at the 2023 sale for $51,000. He’s out of a full sister to multiple Group winning mare Beaudiene Bad Babe.

Meanwhile Tact Teva will be looking to put his sire Lather Up on the winners list in the same race. He’s Lather Up’s fourth foal to race and he too has southern connections. He’s out of ten race winning mare Tact Hayley Jane who at stud has left Tact Tama (Christian Cullen) the winner of all five of his starts in Australia before he broke down, Tact Hayley’s Delight (Bettor’s Delight) sixteen wins, and IRT New Zealand Cup aspirant Tact McLeod (Sweet Lou) the winner of five.

Tact Teva was purchased from Winton couple Trevor Proctor and Diane Dynes at the NZB Standardbred 2023 Yearling Sales in Christchurch for $60,000.

It’s been a great few weeks for Arden Lodge.

Their race mare Arden’s Memory (Bettor’s Delight) won the first heat of the Nevele R Three Year Old Fillies Series at Addington on Friday night and looks to be a strong contender for the G1 $200,000 final at Addington on Cup Day.

Two American bred mares arrive today at the Tapanui lodge from Diamond Creek Farm to commence their stud careers in this country while in the States, Venturesome Arden (Captaintreacherous – Arden’s Darlin) continued on his winning way when scoring at Yonkers last Monday. Venturesome Arden’s record is: 45-14-3-8 1:50.3 $363,994.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink