News Briefs – 8th September

Harness racing news briefs from HRNZ.

Southland’s open class stars to trial

Four of Southland’s best will trial at Wyndham tomorrow. Dubbed the “Road to the Hannon Trial Pace”, Pembrook Playboy, Vintage Cheddar, U May Cullect and Robyn’s Playboy will have a hit-out after race three tomorrow, at around 1.25pm. Wyndham will have nine races on their programme, starting at 12.06pm. The Hannon Memorial, a tradition lead-up to the New Zealand Cup, will be held at Oamaru on Sunday, September 19.

Mufasa Metro heads to Aussie

After his second to Five Wise Men in the Group One 3YO Ruby at June’s Harness Jewels at Cambridge, Mufasa Metro has been sold and will do his future racing in Australia. The three-year-old son of Father Patrick won two from 11 for trainers Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett and was placed a further five times. He will head to John Justice’s stable in Victoria.

Hat-trick beckons for Sundees Son

Sundees Son (Majestic Son) has the chance to win three consecutive Ordeal Cups when he lines up in the time honoured Group Three at Addington on Friday night. The country’s top trotter won in both 2019 and 2020. If he wins he’ll eclipse the efforts of the likes of Take A Moment (2002-03), Sundowner Bay (1998-99) and Sir Castleton (1982-83) who are among those to have gone back to back but never won three in a row.

Jack cracks the quarter ton

Jack’s Legend, who won 10 races here for trainer Barry Purdon before heading to the USA in 2019, has chalked up career win number 25. The seven-year-old hit the quarter century at Delaware at the weekend, winning by four lengths. Among his most notable victories was winning the 3YO Emerald at the Harness Jewels at Ashburton in 2017. He paid $46.50 for the win, downing a field that included Ultimate Machete and Thefixer. Former Kiwi Watch Me Now has won again in the US, this time in 1:49.4 at the Meadowlands.

World records in Ohio

Two world records were set at Ohio’s big race meeting at MGM Northfield Park over the weekend. Herculisa became the fastest three-year-old trotter of any gender with a 1:52.3 mile to win her 10th race in 14 starts while Sea Silk set a world record for the two-year-old pacing fillies, winning in 1:51.2. Sea Silk has won all seven of her lifetime starts.

Solid turnovers on racing’s return

The return to racing saw turnover exceed $2.3m at the country’s four harness racing meetings last week. Invercargill kicked things off on Thursday ($396,215) followed by Cambridge ($316,320) and then two meetings at Addington (Friday – $941,128, Sunday – $738,111). The total turnover for the four meetings was $2,391,684.

HRNZ