News briefs 3rd June

Harness racing news briefs from New Zealand.

New home for Peak

Trotting stallion Peak has a new home, he’s off to Australia. The 14-year-old will go to Mountain View Stud near Ballarat in Victoria, after it was recently announced his lease would not be renewed at Alabar Farm where he’s been for the last six seasons. The son of French super sire Ganymede, Peak won two from three starts in New Zealand (including the 2013 Group One NZ Trotting Free For All) after being brought out from Scandinavia by champion trainer Tim Butt. He served 270 mares in this country, and among his best-known progeny are Doff Your Cap and Invictus, who are both closing in on the $100,000 mark.

Big money on Highgrove

Highgrove has taken plenty of money ahead of Sunday’s IRT Harness Jewels at Cambridge. A winner of five from seven for the Dunn team, Highgrove is the favourite for the Montana Food And Events 2YO Ruby. Two large bets ($4000 and $3000) have been placed at $2.40. Copy That, Kango and B D Joe have also attracted $2000 bets.

Grylls wins in IRT Harness Jewels colours

Wearing the trademark IRT Harness Jewels yellow silks, Secret Show, ridden by Craig Grylls, won race 4 at the Cambridge Jockey Club’s meeting yesterday. To support the Jewels meeting one jockey in each race wore the famous colours. Secret Show’s connections also received $4000 as part of the promotion.

Stable change for Pearl Harbour

Pearl Harbour has transferred to the Barry Purdon-Scott Phelan barn and will race in their colours at the Harness Jewels. Formerly trained by their breeders and owners John and Katrina Price at Winton, Pearl Harbour has won six from 27. She will stay there for the Uncut Gems in two weeks as well, providing she is still eligible.

IRT Harness Jewels Jackpots

The TAB has announced there will be a $50,000 guaranteed Pick Six on Sunday. There will also be $10,000 guaranteed First Fours on all nine races. First race is at 12.17pm.

Golf anyone?

Anyone keen for a round of golf before the IRT Harness Jewels? There is a Golf Day on Friday at the Cambridge Golf Club for teams of four. Tee off is at 10am, with tickets $50 per person.

Club News : Bluff Race day

The Invercargill Harness Racing Club’s annual Bluff race day is back.
Bluff Race Day was instigated in 2014 but could not be held last year due to alert level restrictions throughout the country.
However, it is back on the calendar this season and will be held this Saturday 5 June at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill.
Every race on the programme is supported by either a Bluff business or a business or organisation that has connections and wish to support the port town.
The feature race of the day is the South Port NZ Ltd Bluff Cup which will be run over a distance of 2700 metres for a stake of $12,000.
Other sponsors on the day include Bluff Engineering & Welding, Awarua Synergy. Barnes Wild Bluff Oysters, Southland Farm Services, Hyde Landscaping, Grinaldi Lodge, KB & Associates Accountants, the Northern Southland Trotting Club and the annual Terry Dixon Memorial race.
The first race is scheduled for 11.40am and admission is free.

HRNZ