News Briefs – 14th July

Harness racing briefs from New Zealand.

Morrison looks at three peat

With just a fortnight of the season left John Morrison looks set to claim his third consecutive junior drivers’ premiership.

The Canterbury-based trainer-driver has 57 wins for the season, six clear of Sarah O’Reilly. Morrison drove a double at Addington on Friday, as did O’Reilly at Forbury Park’s big finale, including victory in the last ever race at the southern venue with Dodgethebullet. The McMillan Equine Feeds New Zealand junior drivers championship, featuring both Morrison and O’Reilly, will be held at Addington this Thursday and Sunday.

Amazing Dream goes over $1m

With her victory in the Rising Sun last weekend Amazing Dream passed $1m in stakes earnings. She now has 21 wins from 37 starts, amassing $AUD1,097,385. She’s the sixth mare in Australasia to crack seven figures, along with Adore Me, Our Dream About Me, Tailamade Lombo, Blossom Lady and Frith.

Winning debut for Watch Me Now

Watch Me Now has made up for lost time with a commanding debut performance in North America. After her arrival stateside was delayed by nearly four months she dominated at the Meadowlands in 1:49.3.

While trained in this country by Kirstin Barclay and Tank Ellis, the four-year-old mare won seven from 17 including the Group One Breeders Stakes, beating Amazing Dream.

Gold Chain aiming for Group One glory

The Bob Butt trained and driven Gold Chain will have his third Queensland start this campaign in the Group One Darrell Alexander Trotting Championship at Albion Park on Saturday night. A winner of seven from 26, Gold Chain will take on a field that includes former Kiwi Humble Ladd and Pink Galahs, who beat him in his recent starts across the Tasman.

Change of trainer for Baucke horses

Formerly with trainer Steve Baucke in Invercargill, Swell Time and I’mallaboutthebase have joined Kyle Marshall’s barn at Cambridge. Both horses have had two starts up north in recent months, with Marshall now officially taking over as their trainer. Among I’mallaboutthebase’s seven victories was the Uncut Gems Mares Classic at Adddington in 2019.

Veteran trotter on the comeback

When 11-year-old trotter Shay Scott fronts up in race one at Auckland on Friday night it will be his first race in over three years. Trained and driven by Maria Perriton, the son of Sundon has three wins from 56 starts. His last race was a seventh at Cambridge on March 7 2018 when trained and driven by Nicky Chilcott.

HRNZ