Bits and Bridles

Luke Whittaker drove his first New Zealand winner in more than three years when he reined home Zolton Boscik (Majestic Son) to win at Addington last night.

Whitaker who trains the five year old in partnership with his father Jeff, drove his last New Zealand winner in November 2021 when he won with the Mike Berger trained Pull the Other Leg at Cambridge.

After driving forty five winners here, Whittaker spent a few years in Australia before returning home.

The win was Zolton Boscik’s fourth.

The NZB Standardbred Weanling Sale will be held at Karaka on Thursday 26th June.

The Sale has been a good source of quality racing stock at generally a fraction of the price buyers would pay at the annual yearling sales.

The latest star to come out of the Weanling Sale was Group One winning two year old Fugitive (Downbytheseaside) who recently won the Young Guns Cardigan Bay Stakes in Auckland. He was purchased for $21,000 at the 2023 sale.

The sale has been a good source for purchasing trotters.

In 2023 Ya Rite Darl (What The Hill) and Travelin Soldier (Majestic Son) were sold for just $8,000.

Ya Rite Darl trained by Robert and Jenna Dunn has gone on to win four races and $101,400. Her wins include the Group Three New Zealand Two Year Old Trotting Stakes.

Travelin Soldier has won twice in just ten starts for northern trainer Tony Herlihy and has banked over $28,000 already.

When She’s A Jewel (Sweet Lou) and Gimmesomelovin (Fear The Dragon) deadheated at Addington recently it was the eleventh dead heat of the current season.

The number is unheard of in recent times with seven dead heats in 2018 being the previous season high in the last ten seasons.

Rising Queensland pacing star The Janitor (Always B Miki) was developed in Southland by Winton trainer Lauren Pearson.

Bred by the late Lester Smith, The Janitor qualified for Pearson at Winton in November 2023 and was then sold.

Since he’s been in Australia he’s won eleven of his nineteen starts for Chantal Turpin, the latest win being at Albion Park on last Saturday.

His best mile time is 1-49.6.

Miraculous (Bettor’s Delight) will do his future racing in Australia.

Owned by Mick Boots and trained by Nathan Williamson the gelding won five races.

This season he’s been struggling in the Country Cups grade and his owner and trainer felt he’d be better suited to the short distance racing in Australia.

When winning at Alexandra Park last night Beaudiene Hunter became the first winner in New Zealand, of his sire Stay Hungry.

Bred by Dave Kennedy and trained by Steve and Amanda Telfer the three year old gelding is out of the Badlands Hanover mare Beaudiene Blinkz, making him a half-brother to unbeaten two year old Jumal (Downbytheseaside) and recent Melton winner Jilliby Illuminate (Sweet Lou).

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink