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With 2024 buzzing along like an open-class pacer we now find ourselves at the start of March – it’s a good time to catch a breather after a hectic opening sectional and have a look at how the premiership races are coming along this year.
Trainers
The powerful Steve and Amanda Telfer stable are, once again, setting the pace at the top of the charts. Producing an excellent strike-rate alongside showcasing the depth of their stable throughout the country, the Telfer partnership has, so far, enjoyed many notable wins with Allamericanlover their star of the year, the mare taking out the Premier Mares Championship and the NZ S’Bred Breeders Stakes features. Ohoka Connor, Beach Flybye (the recent Ashburton Cup winner) and the impressive Joca’s Hill, a now two-time winner, have also added multiple wins in recent weeks.
Allamericanlover – flying in 2024
You’d think It’ll be hard for the stable to be caught, even only this far into the season they do look a formidable team to beat.
The Telfer team leads the Robert and Jenna Dunn stable by a handy margin of 13 individual wins (as of the 4th of March)
In terms of quality and consistency Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan are proving the stable to beat when presenting runners to the track, their current UDR, an amazing .522, has been achieved with the likes of Merlin (Art Major) and his brace of wins in 2024, and the impressive Jeremiah, a son of Lazarus, who placed third in the Harness Million 3YO Colts and Geldings Pace behind Chase A Dream and Cold Chisel in mid-February.
Other notable stables to kick off 2024 on the right hoof would include the Craig Ferguson stable, his 7 wins from 15 starts an amazing current rate of return, while the David McCormick stable is on a trotting high with both Brianna and the consistent Maui ensuring that 2024 looks to be the best season the stable has produced on record – and we’ve only just greeted March!
Drivers
Blair Orange, an ever-present sight on the track and in winning photos, currently leads the field when it comes to winners in 2024, although, it must be said, that John Dunn, while some 9 wins behind Orange as of the start of March, is enjoying a very strong start to the year – his recent wins on Feel The Moment, Double Time and Sunnys Sister see his current UDR at an all-time high.
Could Dunn feasibly be a threat for the title in 2024? you’d think by share weight of numbers Orange would be the short-priced favourite to take the gong although funny things do happen in racing and it’s a battle that’ll provide plenty of interest going forward.
Natalie Rasmussen, while only driving a limited book so far in 2024, should always be one to follow when in the sulky, her recent victories on the amazing Chase The Dream and Oscar Bonavena meaning she’s been saluting the judge on a consistent basis.
Natalie Rasmussen and Oscar Bonavena – a winning partnership
Junior Drivers
When it comes to the junior drivers it’s a real battle for top honors at the moment. Carter Dalgety, Sam Thornley, and Wilson House have all enjoyed strong starts in 2024 and are fighting out the top three positions. House in particular has been driving with a real confidence of late, his 13 wins in 2024 have set the foundation for a personal record-breaking year for the talented junior with 39 wins the magic mark to beat.
In UDR terms Stephanie Burley currently sets the pace, her .3827 rate largely a result of wins on Sharkies Girl in January. Gemma Thornley (4 wins in 2024) is also flying away from the tapes – making it a female 1-2 in the standings so far.
A recent double on Lamarli sees Wilson House off to a strong start in 2024
Amateur
Rounding off our look here is the winning edge of Alan Edge. The amateur driving ranks may only race sporadically but 2024 has been great to Edge, his 2 wins from 4 raceday starts see him ahead by a short margin from John Kreichbaumer and Cheree Wigg.
A brief look into some intriguing premiership battles.
By Harnesslink Media
