News Briefs : December 14

[Wandering Eyes]

Michael House hits 700

Surely one of the country’s busiest trainers, Michael House has gone past 700 career successes. Fittingly the Canterbury-based House passed the milestone at Manawatu, one of his happy hunting grounds in recent years. He had four winners on the night. The 700 came up with Smokin Annie, and then Rollwithit finished up a most successful night to give him 701 overall, since starting out in 1988.

Monkey King to be on TV

Two-time New Zealand Cup winner and all-time great Monkey King is going to be profiled as part of a New Zealand Agricultural Show Special that will air on TV One this Sunday at 3pm. “Sam,” as is known, has been a highly proficient performer in the show ring since his racing days when he won nearly $4m.

Boncel says goodbye

2021 InterDominion pacing champion Boncel Benjamin has been retired after winning 17 races from 95 starts. The pacer won the big final at Menangle a year ago on protest after Expensive Ego was first past the post. His connections say he is not going as well as he can, and will now enjoy his retirement. Boncel Benjamin was trained by Jason Grimson who won last weekend’s Inter Doming Pacing Final as well with I Cast No Shadow.

Jim Jacques hangs up mic

The voice of South Australian harness racing, and a Trackside regular Jim Jacques has called his last race. The broadcaster started in 1997 and is famously known for losing his voice during a call in 2010. He described his performance at the time, saying he sounded like “gargling gravel”.

Rock N Roll Doo eyes up The Race By Grins

Saturday night’s Group 1 Cranbourne Cup in Victoria is just one of the many building blocks towards The Race By Grins at Cambridge for young Aussie star Rock N Roll Doo. Far from perturbed by the four-year-old’s unsuccessful and frustrating NZ Cup raid, connections are already looking forward to crossing the ditch again in April. Rock N Roll Doo, a brilliant winner of the Victoria Cup on October 8, is the class runner of the field, but fared dreadfully in gate 12 from the random barrier draw.
Against that, the long 2555m trip will suit him.
Stanley said he and owner Brendan James had already fielded plenty of interest from slot holders in The Race By Grins.
“It’s great to know people think as much of him as we do,” he said. “We’re pretty advanced in talks with one slot holder and should have an announcement before too long.”

Last auction for 2022

Entries for the final gavelhouse.com standardbred auction close tonight at 10pm. The auction will run through to Wednesday December 21. In the most recent gavelhouse auction Son of Patrick was the chart-topper, fetching $35,000.

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