Speed in the Breed – Progeny of River Polka and Pure Opulence catch the eye

Welcome into our Speed in the Breed article. A look into the successful families represented at the trials and workouts.

If you look into the sales catalogue or those that find fame out on the track in the features races you’re likely to find that many of the champions of today come from great families of the past. Here we touch on that habit of success- how the great families continue to leave the very best.

A look at both the Rangiora trials and workouts and North Otago trials on the 24^th of April sees some great families of harness racing history represented – these include

Major Tommy (Highview Tommy – Pure Opulence) Trained by Grant Crabbe, this 3yr-old son of Highview Tommy, who goes around in the 1^st heat of the day, has the Black Watch damline factor about him. Dam Pure Opulence, who has already left the 2-time winner in Lamarli (A Rocknroll Dance) is a daughter of the impressive Tarena Jay, a daughter of Soky’s Atom who excelled as a broodmare, leaving notable racetrack winners like Jays Debut (Presidential Ball), the 17-time winner J Walker (Christian Cullen), and Holly Madison (Christian Cullen) It’s widely regarded as one of the best families in the sales book with Major Tommy appearing ready to add his name to its history.

Major Tommy strolls to a workout win on the 10th of April

Ya Rite Darl (What The Hill – Gogirl Bromac) A 2yr-old worth tracking in times to come, Ya Rite Darl comes into the 3^rd of the day after showing a nice burst of speed towards the end of a workout last week. Dam Gogirl Bromac (Dream Vacation) won 3 during her career with connections hoping that Ya Rite Darl makes her a winning broodmare – Ya Rite Darl will be her first foal to the track.

Ya Rite Girl shows good speed, closing well for 2nd at recent workouts.  

Without You (Captain Crunch – River Polka) The Purdon stable is never too far away from the quality breeds and this 2YO filly is another with a strong harness racing story behind her.  The first two foals from class mare River Polka (American Ideal) have performed well in Australia with Polka Dot Dance and Polka Delight, both by the sire Bettor’s Delight, picking up 9 and 15 wins respectively. Further back in the family you’ll find prominent ‘Wicklow’ names including Wicklow Bay (11 wins) Wicklow Way (5 wins) and Wicklow Express (8 wins)

The dam of Without You, River Polka, runs 2nd to Adore Me in the Northern Breeders Stakes  

Muscle Mist (Muscle Mass – Dwindle Mist) Appearing in the first heat of the day at Oamaru is this 3yr-old filly trained by Brad Williamson. Muscle Mass has been enjoying a nice run as a sire lately, wins by Aldebaran Floss, Sods Law and Muscle Sass adding to his winning statistics in recent weeks. Dam Dwindle Mist was a handy trotting mare winning 6 races from her 27 starts including a 4^th in the Group 3 Southern Lights Handicap Trot of 2015 behind Springbank Sam. Her progeny, to date, includes the 7-time winner in Dwindle Star, and Harry Stamper (Majestic Son) a trotter who has snared two Group 1 titles while racing in Australia, capturing the NSW Trotters Derby and Breeders Crown 3YO Trotting Colts and Geldings Final of 2022.

by Harnesslink Media