Bits and Bridles

Lindsay Thomson looks to have another nice trotter.

The Southland based owner whose horses are trained by Alister Black previously raced Abraham Jones (2), Get Lucky (7) and Don’t Ask (6). Abraham Jones and Get Lucky were raced in partnership with his brother Ian.

Lindsay’s latest qualifier, two year old filly Roseanna, (Southwind Frank) is out of the four win CR Commando mare Star Commando.

Roseanna is one of only seventeen foals left by Southwind Frank in this country, six of which have now qualified. Of those foals It Aint Me Babe (4) and Sandfly Bay (2) have had the most success.

Southwind Frank was 2015 USA and Canadian 2YO Trotting Colt of his year and raced only as a two and three-year-old. As a two-year-old he won 11 of his 12 starts and $786,419 and was the richest and fastest freshman trotter of his year.

Up and coming trotter Bet N Win (Muscle Hill) who’s last race was the Dominion Handicap, is back in commission and will have two weeks on the water walker before getting ready for another campaign.
Co-trainer David White who trains the gelding with his wife Stacey says the four year old will be aimed at the Group Three Lamb and Haywood Trotters Classic on the 14th March at Addington.

The $600,000 Slot race at Cambridge is also on the radar, and after that he’ll head to Auckland for the Anzac and Rowe Cups.

The $100,000 Group One Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup will be held on Friday 20th December.

The race dates back to 1925 and this year will be it’s 78th running.

Over the years the Cup has primarily been run over 3200 metres but this year, it’ll be raced over 2700 metres.

The race record of 3-20.2 is held by 2021 winner Pembrook Playboy.

Only three horses have won the coveted race twice – Laser Lad (1986 and 1988), Blossom Lady (1991-1992) and Prince Rashad (1996-1997)

Blair Orange is the most successful driver in the Cup’s history with six wins – The Tough Nut (2000), Harnett’s Creek (2004), Highview Tommy (2011), Saveapatrol (2014), Johnny Fox (2015) and Classie Brigade (2017).

Friday nights Group One win by Rakero Rocket for Canterbury trainer Tom Bamford was his first as a trainer and it was the fourth for driver Gavin Smith.

Smith’s three other G1 wins were with Second Wind in the 2010 Taylor Mile, Sunny Ruby in the 2015 Three Year Old Ruby and Great Things Happen in the 2017 New Zealand Trotting Free For All.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink