Bits and Bridles

Recent Gloucester Park winner Watchlist, (He’s Watching) was bred by the late Roger Price, his wife Helen, their son John and his wife Katrina.

He was trained by Katrina and John and from just five starts, won twice and recorded two seconds. He was then sold to clients of Gary Hall senior with Roger retaining a share in the gelding.

His name was changed to My Watchlist and since he’s been in Western Australia he’s won a further eight races from limited starts, including his last four in a row.

My Watchlist’s dam Donnamach is out of one of the Price’s foundation mares Belladonna, who left 12 foals of which 10 qualified and collectively they went on to win 115 races.

Cadillac Kent (21), Bellaholmes (22), Pocket Master (11), Pocket Express (12), Bella’s Fella (9), Scotty Mac (39), Bellavita (1) and Donnamach (2) were Belladonna’s winners.

King Of Swing (Rocknroll Hanover) sired his first qualifier when Fanfare got his ticket at Rangiora on Tuesday.

Trained by Bob Butt, the gelding is one of  fifteen two year olds that King Of Swing has on the ground in New Zealand. Fanfare is a half-brother to millionaire pacer Minstrel who is by Rocknroll Hanover.

King Of Swing stands at Cobbitty Equine Farm in New South Wales.

The Central Otago harness racing circuit has once again been hugely successful.

The Central Otago TC meeting at Omakau turned over $262,768 on-course and $1.69 million off course (up 18%).

Roxburgh TC on course numbers were $106,220 and off course posted $993,500 (down 2%).

The circuit was rounded out by the Wyndham HRC meeting at Cromwell which turned over $105,283 on course and $1.51 million off course (up 18.3%).

Having five winners in a day at Nelson as they did on Friday, is not a first for Robert and Jenna Dunn. Robert also trained five winners at the Nelson meeting  in October 1989 and in January 2014.

The record of six wins in a day was achieved by Colin Berkett in October 1954.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink