Bits and Bridles

Robyns Playboy (Shadow Play), affectionally known as ‘The Beast from the East’ has been retired and will join the HERO programme under the guidance of Invercargill trainer Shannon Armour.

Trained by Ross and Chris Wilson, Robyns Playboy was a real family horse with all the members of the Wilson clan having a stake in him.

From 105 starts he won 15 races, ran second 10 times and third 7 times.

His favourite track was Ascot Park where he won nine and his best season was as a three year old when he won six of his fourteen starts and ran third in the Group One Three Year Old Emerald.

He was placed second in the Group Three Hannon Memorial twice and has three Tuapeka Cups on his CV.

When he won the 2023 Wairio Cup his time of 2-55.7 for the 2400 metre stand was a new track and Southland record for four year olds and older geldings. The record still stands today.

The gelding also helped launch Craig Ferguson’s driving career – he drove him in twelve of his fifteen wins.

Southern Bred Southern Reared had a mixed Sale at Christchurch yesterday.

Of the 61 horses catalogued 12 were withdrawn, 40 sold for $1,404,000 and 9 were passed in.

Lots to fetch over $50,000 were: Bettor’s Delight – Democrat Party colt ($150,000), Bettor’s Delight – Beaudiene Beaut Babe colt ($95,000), Always B Miki – Plutonium Lady colt ($80,000), Captaintreacherous – Allaboutjoy colt ($70,000), Bettor’s Delight – Hopes And Dreams filly ($70,000), Bettor’s Delight – Evelyn Ashford filly ($67,500),Sweet Lou – Maddisons Mate colt ($62,500), Bold Eagle – Millie’s Gift colt ($60,000) and King Of Swing – Luminesce colt ($50,000)

Southlander Craig Ferguson joined an elite group of drivers when he became the leading UDR driver (30+ drives) for the 2024 season at Addington.

Ferguson from sixty eight drives, drove fourteen winners over the season for a UDR of .3072.

Included in his wins were the $200,000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million, the Group One Woodlands Sires’ Stakes Series Final, and the Group One Ace Of Spades all driving Marketplace. He won the Group One New Zealand Pacing Derby on We Walk By Faith.

Ten of his fourteen wins were for Regan Todd.

2024 was also the first time Ferguson’s drives earned over $1,000,000.

Previous UDR winners at Addington have been Natalie Rasmussen and Mark Purdon.

The upcoming Manawatu HRC two day meeting on Sunday and Tuesday will provide an opportunity for Canterbury trainer Michael House to extend his wonderful record at the Manawatu Raceway.

Of his 863 wins, 272 have been at Manawatu. His first was Clever Date driven by Tony Herlihy in April 1993.

His most successful horses on the circuit have been Mogul who’s won nine and Superstar Legend who’s won eight.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink