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The harness racing juvenile ranks are underway in North America and two first season sires are already making their presence felt. What The Hill and Downbytheseaside, who both shuttle to stand at Woodlands Stud in New Zealand, are leading the way in their respective gates after their debut crops shone in the first big 2-year-old races over the weekend.
Scioto Downs in Ohio held their four ‘Next Generation’ races, each worth $150,000, one for each sex and gait. The trotting events were first and What The Hill’s progeny were to the fore taking both events.
His daughter Be My Baby Now won the fillies division in 1:57.4. She is out of a Raffaello Ambrosio mare and it was her first race. She is trained by Ron Burke, who trained What The Hill and was driven by Chris Page.
Chulo won the colts division shortly thereafter for trainer Per Engblom and driver Ronnie Wrenn Jnr. He trotted the mile in 1:57 and won by half a length over his closest rival. He is out of a Majestic Son mare, proving that this cross is one that can work.
Moving to the pacing events that were held the following night, it was Downbytheseaside’s time to shine. The son of Sombeachsomewhere emulated what his trotting counterpart had done the day prior and took out both pacing features.
First up his daughter Sea Silk wowed in the pacing fillies division when she paced the mile in 1:51.3, which was a track record time and the fastest time recorded of any 2-year-old this season. The win bought up two successes for trainer Ron Burke and driver Chris Page. Secret Side Piece, another daughter of Downbytheseaside was second in the race.
Sea Silk is out of a Bettor’s Delight mare and Secret Side Piece is out of a Rock N Roll Heaven mare which are timely results as Australasian breeders start making decisions on where to send their mares.
Sling Shock was the fourth and final winner of the feature races and he was not going to let his female counterpart steal all the limelight. He sat three-wide around the final bend before winning in style by three and a half lengths in 1:52.4.
He is trained by Christi Noble and was driven by Dan Noble and is out of an Art Major mare, yet another good sign of a promising cross for Australasian breeders.
Both sires will be available via fresh, chilled semen throughout Australasia in the upcoming 2021-22 breeding season.
Woodlands Stud
