Southern Snippets

It’s been a good couple of harness racing days for southern bred horses competing in Australia.

Mosgiel breeders Syd and Shona Brown scored a double at Gloucester Park in Perth on Friday when Diego (Bettor’s Delight) and Captain Bligh (Captaintreacherous) won. Captainshavtime (Captain Crunch) part owned by Southern Harness Board member Murray Little also won on the same card.

Diego and Captain Bligh who were both developed by Kirk Larsen are now trained by Gary Hall senior while Captainshavtime is in Greg and Skye Bond’s stable.

At Melton in Victoria Harry Stamper (Majestic Son) which was part bred by Bev Williamson and initially trained by her husband Phil won his eleventh race. Second home was the recently exported Sacred Mountain (Muscle Hill) who started her career with Gore trainer Brian Norman, winning two races. She transferred to Cambridge trainer Nicky Chilcott and won a further ten.

Kyvalley Michael (Love You) also won at Melton. Trained by Brent Lilley he was bred by Central Southland couple Todd and Fleur Anderson. The three year old has now won four of his eighteen starts. He’s out of Missandei and was purchased by Lilley for $60,500 at the 2023 NZB Standardbred Sales in Christchurch.

At Albion Park in Brisbane last night Duke Of Scotland (Sweet Lou) kept his unbeaten Australian record when he won his third race in a row. Bred by the late Lester Smith and developed by Winton trainer Lauren Pearson, the gelding is now trained by Chantal Turpin.

Gus (Majestic Son) won the G3 Trotters Sprint at the same meeting. He was bred and trained by Nathan Williamson. He’s won his last five starts and is vying for favouritism in Saturday’s $100,000 G1 Queensland Trotters Cup.

Raupunga Lad (Raging Bull) who was unbeaten in three starts won’t race again.

The gelding impressively won by nine and a quarter lengths at Winton in August 2022 for Northern Southland trainer Brent McIntyre before triumphing at Addington and Ascot Park.

Last seen at the Winton Workouts in June 2023, he hasn’t been sighted since.

“We had a look at him last night (Friday) and he’s still not right. He’s been out for over a year, he’s still not walking right. It’s something in his back leg. He’s probably stretched a tendon quite bad,” McIntyre said.

McIntyre and owner Neil Timms have a qualified half-brother to Raupunga Lad back in work. Putere Boy (Ultimate Machete) ran second in his qualifying trial in March and is yet to race.

“He’s a nice horse. I just don’t know how good he is yet. I believe he’s pretty smart.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink