The month of May features a number of high-class harness racing feature races.
Here we have a look at just what lies ahead.
Invercargill kicks off the Group racing features for the month of May with The Diamond Creek 2yo Classic, Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes (last won by Burnham Boy) and the Macca Lodge/ Nevele R Southland Oaks all to take place on the 2ndĀ of the month.
The Southland Oaks in particular has been a race that attracts a strong field with recent winners including Stylish Memphis, the flying Nek Time, and Safedra who has since gone on to be a successful broodmare with Dr Susan and La Rosa among her progeny. Among those looking to hoist the title this year are a pair of nice fillies from the Mark Jones stable in Braeview Kelly and Don’t Lie To Me along with the progressive Lifes A Beach, a filly who has draws well and has fine recent form about her.
The Group racing focus shifts North thereafter with The Haras Des Trotteurs Northern Trotting Oaks and Harness Million 2YO Fillies Final to be run and won on the 13thĀ of May at Alexandra Park. The Northern Trotting Oaks being last won in 2019 by the Tony Herlihy driven Tickle Me Pink who would go on to further success at the Jewels capturing the 3YO Ruby title. These features are quickly followed by a stellar card at Addington on the 14th
The Group features of May comes to an end with an outstanding night of action on the 21stĀ . The Garrards NZ Sires Stakes 2YO final and The Breeders NZ Oaks are the two Group 1 races thatāll be contested. Princess Tiffany won the Oaks title in 2019 while past winners of the event also include Adore Me (2013) Kiwi Ingenuity (2008) Kateās First (1997) and Armalight (1980) The all-class Robyn Dundee Ā won the race in 1960 when driven by one Charlie Franks while Perpetua won the event not so long after peace was declared way back in 1948.
The NZ Sires Stakes 2YO Trotter Championship (Group 2 level) the Garrards NZ Sires Stakes Sophomore Classic and NZB Harness Million 3YO Trot round off the card.
While itās getting towards the end of the season that doesnāt mean the quality stops.
Ben McMillan