Southern Snippets

Former southern two year old D Mac (Downbytheseaside) won his WA debut at Gloucester Park last night.

D Mac who is named after Southland born All Black Damion McKenzie was developed by Brad Morris before being sold to clients of Gary Hall snr.

In last night’s Golden Slipper Prelude, driver Gary Hall jnr took D Mac to the front and he went on to win easily by 9.9 metres.

The talented juvenile is expected to line up in the $150,000 Group One Golden Slipper on the same track in a fortnight.

A half sister to Ruby Roe qualified at Ascot Park on Thursday.

Stranger Things, a two year old filly by Tall Dark Stranger out of Arden Caviar, qualified nearly seven seconds under the required time for the 2200 metre mobile.

Stranger Things who’s bred, owned and trained by John and Katrina Price, is one of three horses in New Zealand by Bettor’s Delight stallion Tall Dark Stranger to have qualified, and all are Southern Bred Southern Reared.

The other two are Premier Arden bred by John and Judy Stiven and Ebonezy bred by Garnie Cowie. All three are two year old fillies.

Tall Dark Stranger’s eldest New Zealand progeny are two year olds and he has fourteen foals of that age on the ground here.

The Bricklayer, an Art Major colt also qualified when running second to Stranger Things. The three year old is trained by Warren Bryant.

The passing lane at Ascot Park Raceway has been named The Murray Brown passing lane.  It bore the title for the first time on Thursday, named in memory of the late Ascot Park trainer.

The win by Our Rose Hill in Race One created a special moment for the horse’s owner Artie Shirley who was a close friend of Brown.

Brown trained twelve winners for Shirley, the first being Ali Cat at Forbury Park in July 2009.

Shirley’s best winners trained by Brown were Blow A Cloud (4) and Son Of Lana (4).

Brown was a committee member of the Invercargill Club for thirty one years and at the December meeting a new race will be named after himself and the best horse he trained.

The $30,000 feature for two year old fillies with be named The Murray Brown/Beaudiene Bad Babe Pace.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink