Unbeaten Aussie filly all set for NZ debut

Successful Aussie owner Mick Harvey feels like he’s had a win even before his exciting harness racing filly Ripples (Bettor’s Delight) steps out at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

Harvey, best known for part-owning superstars like King Of Swing and Hectorjayjay, is thrilled he convinced champion Victorian trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin to have their first Kiwi runner.

“It’s amazing to think they haven’t had one yet, but I understand why with the huge team they have,” he said.

“I’m thrilled this is happening and, to be honest, Emma and Clayton have been great about it.

“They had lots of questions and with the huge help of Mark Jones and Brooke Wilkins, once the filly gets there, it’s been seamless so far.”

Ripples, who created a huge impression winning her heat and final of the Bathurst Gold Tiara series last month, is booked a flight to Auckland today (Wednesday).

“It’s all coming together and now she’s drawn well, too. Gate three is ideal for her,” Harvey said.

“Mark (Jones) tells me we’ve got the best in Blair Orange to drive her, so it’s all go.”

Harvey isn’t fazed by racing right-handed with Ripples.

“No, Clayton took her to Pat Driscoll’s track where you can go the other way and said she felt even better that direction,” he said.

“It’s never easy taking on the Kiwis, but we think this is the right filly to do it.

“I have to thank Mark Jones, who has been an enormous help on so many levels. And Brooke (Wilkins) used to work for me and she has kindly said she’ll look after the filly while she’s over there.”

Harvey hopes this will be a forerunner to more trips to NZ for Ripples and other Stewart/Tonkin horses.

“In Ripples’ case, there’s three for four other big races for her later in the year I’d love her to return for,” he said.

“And Emma and Clayton are the best juvenile trainers in the southern hemisphere. I really hope this trip paves the way for them to broaden their horizons, see how easy it is, and take more horses over.

“Things are buzzing in NZ, the prize money is up and you’ve got to be part of it.

“Look how many Aussies have been going over and winning big races in the past couple of years.

“It’s about time, after the Kiwis have been winning our (Australia’s) biggest races for decades.”

To see the Auckland fields click here 

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Victoria