News Briefs : July 13

[Wandering Eyes]

Lazarus about to head home

Buzz sire and two-time New Zealand Cup champion Lazarus is in quarantine in the USA ahead of his flight back home. His first crop of two-year-olds are racing in North America this season, including Lifes A Puzzle, who’s won in 1:50.4. Lazarus will stand at Nevele R stud in Christchurch and is expected to serve at least 100 mares this breeding season.

Best USA performance yet for ex Kiwi

Former Kiwi pacer Anothrmastrpiece N has won his biggest race in North America, leading all the way to take out an open handicap pace at Yonkers in New York in 1:51.2. Trained by Shane Tritton, the seven-year-old has now won 21 of 57 starts. The son of Bettor’s Delight raced as Another Masterpiece in this country before heading to Australia in 2020. Among his victories here was the 2YO Emerald at the 2018 Harness Jewels at Cambridge.

The Bulldog impresses again

A week after his world record-equalling mile in 1:46, Bulldog Hanover has been in dominant form again at The Meadowlands. His victory over the weekend was his 20th in 28 starts and pushed his earnings over $1m. It was quite the race for the Hanovers, with Rockyroad Hanover, Linedrive Hanover and Abuckabett Hanover rounding out the first four. It was one of three winning drives for Dexter Dunn on the card, taking him to 127 wins and $US3,144,122 in stakes earnings for the year.

Trainers tied at 51

Things have stalled at the top of the trainers’ premiership, with Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen and Steve and Amanda Telfer tied at 51 wins for the year. The All Stars’ last win was First Class on June 24 while the Telfers haven’t produced a winner since Mimi E Coco at Auckland on May 27. It’s much more clear cut in the drivers’ premiership where Blair Orange is all but assured of a fifth straight title. He has 107 wins for 2022, with John Dunn second at 58.

Breakthrough wins at Addington

Two firsts for two of harness racing’s emerging talents with both Wilson House and Scott Iremonger recording their first wins at Addington over the past week. House was successful with Tasman Tempest trained by his father Michael House last Friday, while on Sunday Iremonger’s victory came with the Joseph Gray-trained King Arthur.

Delayed debut for sales topper

Sales topper Moet Shard is scheduled to make her debut this weekend. The filly, who sold for $280,00 at the 2020 NZB Standardbred yearling sales, was originally set to start last Friday at Addington but was scratched. She is now lined up to start in Race 4 over 1980m on Sunday.

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