Bits and Bridles

Two New Zealand records were broken on the superfast Ashburton harness racing circuit yesterday.

The Robert and Jenna Dunn trained Got The Chocolates (Art Major) time of 1-58.1 surpassed Franco Indie’s track and New Zealand record.

Dreams Are Free (Captaintreacherous) won the Sophomore in 1-59.8, also a new track, race and New Zealand record. The old mark of 1-59.6 was held by Republican Party.

On the breeding front, a number of fillies enhanced their pedigree page recording wins or placings in fast mile rates at Ashburton. Louies Girl, Ruby Roe, Shakira, General Jen, Captains Mistress, Forever Dream, Empire City, Princess Meritaten, Mr Kaplan and Lakelsa all got sub 1-55 times.

The Ashburton meeting also proved to be a stellar day for Southland bred horses.

Central Southland’s Todd and Fleur Anderson (Taffy Limited) bred Ashburton Flying Stakes winner Merlin (Art Major) and his half-sister Captains Mistress (Captaintreacherous) which ran second in the Sires’ Stakes Fillies race.

Tom Kilkelly bred Fiery Bandito (Majestic Son) which ran second to Bet N Win in the Trotters Sprint and Bruce and Al Sinclair owned and bred Lakelsa (Captaintreacherous) which ran third in the mare’s race.

Jackie Barron was the breeder of Always On Sale (Always B Miki) which ran second in the first race and Bring On The Muscle (Majestic Son) which won the Hambletonian.

Katrina and John Price bred Confederate (Bettor’s Delight) which ran third in the Sires’ Stakes heat. Ruby Roe (Captaintreacherous) which was second to Louies Girl (Lord Forbes) in the Nevele R. Louies Girl was also bred in the south by Gavin Forbes.

When Bronson Munro drove Countless Questions (Imperial Count) to win at Addington on Friday for his boss Ross Houghton, it was his first win since April 2019.

Prior to Friday his last winning drive was on Sherry Baby at Banks Peninsula which he also trained.

For a good while, Syd Breen’s harness racing ‘couple’ American Mac (American Ideal) and Sagwitch (Lis Mara) have been the mainstays of his stable.

But the ten year old pair have recently parted ways. This week the Gore trainer announced that American Mac has been retired due to suspensory problems.

Interestingly the pair share some similarities.

Both are the same age and are the last foals out of their respective mothers whose first foals were millionaire pacers.

American Mac was the last foal out of Maudola. Her first foal was Sokyola which won 66 races and $1.9 million, while Sagwitch was the last foal out of Shoshoni Sunset, whose first foal Washakie won 53 races and $1.3 million.

American Mac and Sagwitch have slid up and down the ratings band and have kept the cash rolling in for Breen.

American Mac won nine of his 104 starts while to date Sagwitch has won fifteen of his 157 races.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink