Yearling colts impress at Franklin parade

Pukekohe horseman Derek Balle looks set for a nice juvenile season in 2016-2017 if last Saturday’s annual Franklin harness racing yearling parade is anything to go by.

Yearling colt Cullen's Caviar (Christian Cullen – Callie O’Malley) was judged the top yearling at the Franklin Trotting Club’s track on Station Road.

Balle cleaned up the two major prizes with stablemate, Bit Of A Tiger (Bettor’s Delight – Tigerswish colt) also judged the ‘Best-of-the-Rest’.

Balle received an NRM voucher while the Cullen’s Caviar’s gelding’s owners received a McMillan Feeds voucher. Bit Of A Tiger’s efforts earned Balle a Dunstan voucher sponsored by North Island Standardbred Breeders Association.

Balle said there wasn’t much between the two yearlings.

“I couldn’t separate them at this early stage. They are both very nice horses and the pick of my yearlings so far,” Balle said.

Cullen’s Caviar is owned by his breeders (D M J Verryt, P J Cowsill, Mrs P Cowsill, Miss K Verryt, Miss T Verryt, Mrs D Farrell) – the Syndicate that owned the colt’s dam – Callie O’Malley, who won five races for Balle.

They also have a Bettor’s Delight weanling out of Callie O’Malley with Balle. The mare was served by Auckland Reactor in September.

“Cullen’s Caviar is very well put together and a bit more mature than most I’ve had. He feels like a 2-year-old but probably not a Young Guns horse. He will more than likely front after Christmas if he keeps developing the way he has,” said Balle.

He said Cullen’s Caviar had paced a mile in 2:20, a half in 65, and a quarter in 31.

“I broke him in, and like a lot of Christian Cullens he took a while to gait up, but once he got the hang of it he took to it well. He’s been in work for 10 weeks and I’ll give him a break now,” said Balle.

He said Bit of A Tiger was a nice little horse, who had eight week’s work since he was passed in at the this year’s Karaka Yearling Sales. His reserve prize of $60,000 wasn’t reached.

“He will have his second prep in about a month. He should also make a 2-year-old, but after Christmas as well,” Balle said.

Meanwhile the Steve Cornwall (Pukekohe) trained Monkey Bones – Immortal Beloved gelding, Tobruk, was judged the best trotter at the parade. He was also named the ‘Best-Turned-Out-Trotter.

The Robert Dunn trained Monkey Princess (Christian Cullen – Sheza Monkey) was judged the best pacing filly and the Ray Green trained Yasmine Bromac (Sir Lincoln – Jasmine Bromac) was the 'Best-Turned-Out'.

The Brent Mangos trained Culpeka (Mach Three – Tuapeka Maddy) was named the best pacing colt and gelding and Balle's Cullen’s Caviar, the 'Best-Turned-Out'.

Two Lincoln Farms service fees to Sir Lincoln were won by the Paulette Scree trained Petite's Majestie / and Joe Powell.

Twenty five yearlings (eight trotters, nine pacing fillies, and eight pacing colts and geldings) took part in the Parade.

Franklin Park Yearling Parade results –

Overall Yearling-of-the-Year – The Derek Balle trained Cullen's Caviar (Christian Cullen – Callie O’Malley colt). Owner received an NRM voucher and trainer received a McMillan Feeds voucher.

Best-of-the-Rest: Dunstan voucher sponsored by North Island Standardbred Breeders Association – The Derek Balle trained Bit Of A Tiger (Bettor’s Delight – Tigerswish colt).

Trotters:

Veterinary Associates Equine & Farm $500.00 product – The Steve Cornwall trained Tobruk (Monkey Bones – Immortal Beloved gelding) 1; HR Fisken & Sons voucher – Sir George Bowen 2; The Stables Cafe voucher – Traveller Girl 3. Takanini Feeds Merit Award – Out Of The Box; Takanini Feeds Best Turned Out – Tobruk.

Pacing Fillies:

Pukekohe/Waiuku Vet Centre $500 Feed Voucher – The Robert Dunn trained Monkey Princess (Christian Cullen – Sheza Monkey) 1; H R Fisken & Sons Voucher – Tiger Swift 2; The Stables Cafe voucher – Bettathanapokeindeye 3; Takanini Feeds Merit Award – Eyes Blazing; Takanini Feeds Best Turned Out – The Ray Green trained Yasmine Bromac (Sir Lincoln – Jasmine Bromac).

Pacing Colts:

Vetpro $500.00 product prize – The Brent Mangos trained Culpeka (Mach Three – Tuapeka Maddy) 1; H R Fisken & Sons voucher – Lincoln Road; The Stables Cafe voucher – Bayardo 3; Takanini Feeds Merit Award – Diamonds N Cash; Takanini Feeds Best Turned Out – The Derek Balle trained Cullen’s Caviar.

Others:

Betavet Random Trainers Draw – Ray Green; Muang Thai Voucher Horse/Owner Random Draw – Diamonds N Cash (Breckon Racing Syndicate); The Stables Cafe Voucher = ‘Sam'; Two Lincoln Farms Service Fees to Sir Lincoln Horse/Owner Random Draw – the Paulette Scree trained Petite's Majestie / and Joe Powell.

Every horse that entered received a halter.

Duane Ranger