Hannon Memorial meeting just got bigger

In past years the Hannon Memorial has been a stand alone feature at Oamaru’s September harness racing meeting, but this season a host of other feature races will spice up the day.

A new race for trotters named after one of North Otago’s best trotting mares Jasmyn’s Gift (Sundon), will be run for the first time. It’s one of the new races introduced by HRNZ and will carry a $30,000 stake and Group Three status.

Jasmyn’s Gift trained by Phil Williamson won seventeen races including the Group One New Zealand Trotting FFA and Group One New Zealand Trotting Championship.

The $25,000 Diamond Creek Farm Oamaru Juvenile Stakes will also feature in the day’s programme. This race for two year olds was programmed earlier in the season but lacked sufficient nominations to run. It’s felt September will be a better time for the race as there’ll be more two year olds around in the second half of the season.

The Oamaru Stakes was run between 1941 and 1997, so September’s feature will be a special occasion after a space of twenty five years. Previous winners include Jay Ar (Captain Adios), Holy Hal (Hal Tryax), Noodlum (Bachelor Hanover), Comedy Lad (Sir Dalrae) and Honkin Vision (Honkin Andy).

A heat of the Nevele R Fillies Series will also be run on the day, worth $15,000, with all other supporting races carrying a stake of $10,000.

by Bruce Stewart