News Briefs : November 30

[Wandering Eyes]

Bulldog says farewell in style

The racing career of one of the all-time greats Bulldog Hanover is over. It was a fitting finale for the world record-holder too as he won at the Meadowlands over the weekend in 1:47.6. “Week after week, he puts those kinds of runs in,” said his driver and 10-time Kiwi champion Dexter Dunn, who gave several fist pumps crossing the finish line. “He’s got all the power. It was an amazing performance tonight and a great way to go out for him.” It was the Bulldog’s 14th win in 16 races this year. He has a lifetime record of 28 wins from 37 starts, highlighted by his world record 1:45.8. “I’ll remember this season for the rest of my life,” said Dunn. The Bulldog will now head to fulltime stallion duty at Seelster farms in 2023. His service fee will be $US15,000.

Proceeds to Horse Ambulance Trust

Entry is free to harness racing’s first ever Grand Prix at Addington this Sunday though racegoers will be asked for a gold coin donation to support the Horse Ambulance Trust. It promises to a ripper of a day with eight Group 1s, including the $250,000 New Zealand Pacing Derby. Stonewall Stud is also donating $100 to the trust for each and every one of its horses that wins or places on Grand Prix day. 

Kidz Kartz heading to Aussie

Three Kiwi youngsters have been chosen to take part in a trans-Tasman Kidz Kartz competition at Melton, Victoria in early December. They are Emily Laurenson (Southland), Thomas Towers (Taranaki) and Ollie Gregory (Franklin). They will compete against drivers from New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, with the final being held in conjunction with the Inter Dominions.

Catalogue out for Yearling Sale

The catalogue for next February’s NZB Standardbred Yearling Sale is now available. The sale will be held at Karaka and Christchurch from February 19-22. The catalogue will be coming to a mailbox near you soon but if you want to see an on-line version click here

Octogenarian fronts up at IDs

Bob Kuchenmeister is not a household name but he was a sentimental favourite on the opening night of the Inter Dominions at Ballarat. The eighty two year old was up against some of the sport’s biggest names. Driving Leanne Leeann he finished seventh in the second heat of the series won by Tony Herlihy and Bolt For Brilliance. Kuchenmeister is quite the sight at racetracks in Victoria, along with his his trusty 1971 Chrysler sedan and float.

Sonny keeps winning

Bred by North Canterbury’s Kevin James, Sonny Weaver continues to rack up the wins overseas. The five-year-old’s latest victory came at Harrah’s Philadelphia when he headed another ex-Kiwi in Vettel N. Sonny Weaver’s winning time was 1:51.8. It’s his 11th victory this year to go with the 10 he had in North America last year. By Sunshine beach out of Kotare Yedo, Sonny Weaver was exported to Australia in 2018 before heading stateside.

Club News : Methven

The Methven Trotting Club Committee has been putting in the hours ahead of another big Christmas race meeting on Sunday December 11 at the picturesque Mt Harding racecourse. The track is in first class order with a really good sole of grass, the recent rain being a big help.

The day’s features are the Methven 4 Square Supermarket Pacers Green Mile sponsored by long term and very loyal locals Gary and Lyn Eddington and the Whiteout Festival Trotters Green Mile. The trotting race has new sponsors in Cream Events a business that specialises in setting up and running big events and the whiteout festivals held every winter at the racecourse is one of their big successes.

Other highlights will be the appearance of our 90 year old long serving Father Christmas who is ready to put in a top performance, the egg and spoon race, lolly scrambles, the balloon man music from ‘Little Big Men’ and usually the day’s highlight the babes in barrows race(this high speed mad scramble usually draws a huge and vociferous crowd).

The Methven Fire Brigade have kindly agreed to do the gates and will be the gold coin charity on the day. In other news our three Wise Men race day featuring New Zealand’s three 3000 winning drivers Maurice McKendry, Tony Herlihy and Ricky May is now all go for our January meeting after being scuttled previously by Covid.

The Club is continuing to upgrading its buildings and surrounds with early options being considered to upgrade our stabling complex.

So remember come 12 midday Sunday December 11 the place to be will be the Methven racecourse where the sun always shines. See you there.

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