News Briefs : May 10

[Wandering Eyes]

Millwood Nike’s run goes to 13

Unbeaten filly Millwood Nike’s winning streak just keeps growing. At Alexandra Park on Friday night she made it 13 in a row. That puts her eighth equal in terms of having the longest winning streak in New Zealand, along with Lazarus who won 13 in a row in 2016-17. Auckland Reactor has the longest winning streak in this country with 17, followed by Courage Under Fire, Lyell Creek and Take A Moment with 16, and I Can Doosit and Noodlum with 15 and Sundon (14). Courage Under Fire has the longest unbeaten streak overall, having won his first 24 starts, but that was both here and in Australia.

Rasmussen red hot in 2023

Three wins at Addington on Friday night have added to Natalie Rasmussen’s incredible strike rate in 2023. The champion driver won with Anything Goes, Don’t Stop Dreaming and Bronson for the formidable training partnership of Mark and Nathan Purdon. That gives Rasmussen her 13th win from just 27 drives this year, and she’s also had three seconds and four thirds, for a UDR (strike-rate) of .5926. Rasmussen’s been driving the pick of the stable’s horses, especially after Mark Purdon’s recent suspension from driving till May 14.

Dobson’s special presentation

High profile owner Ian Dobson’s feats on Grand Prix day at Addington last December have been officially recognised. The Canterbury Trotting Owners Association has presented him with a special photo after three of his stars Don’t Stop Dreaming, Akuta and Muscle Mountain all won on December 4. The presentation was made at a highly successful owners’ night at Addington last Friday. More than 300 people were involved in the evening.

Tommy heads north

Seven win American Ideal gelding Tommy Waterhouse has headed north to Ken Barron’s Canterbury stables, from Kirstin Green’s Invercargill barn. The horse, bred by Barron’s brother Tony, will front up again in race 5, the Buy a Woodlands Weanling – May 25 Mobile Pace at Addington this Friday. Among Tommy Waterhouse’s seven wins were his victory in the 2022 Betavet Uncut Gems Geldings and Entires Classic ahead of Anything Goes and Got You Covered.

Ron Burke’s earnings top $US300m

Hall of Fame trainer Ron Burke has become the first trainer to top $US300m in career earnings. The 53-year-old has won a staggering 13,666 races and last year won the trainers’ premiership in North America for the 14th time. This year he has had 323 wins, more than three times more than anyone else and nearly $5m in stakes. Meanwhile ex pat Kiwi Dexter Dunn, a four time US Driver of the Year, has gone past $1m in stakes earnings for the year. He has had 53 wins so far in 2023 and stakes earnings of $1,050,636 after a slower than usual start to the year. The leading driver stakes-wise is Jason Bartlett with $2,880,556.

50 not out for club president

How’s this for service and dedication? In New South Wales, the Blayney Harness Racing Club celebrated its 50th anniversary of racing at a snowy Showground Paceway at the weekend. Since 1973 the club has had only one president, with Max Kingham being at the helm right from the start. And he’s not the only family member to be involved. His brother John is the club’s secretary.

Countdown to weanling sale

The NZB Standardbred Weanling Sale is now just over a fortnight away. The sale, at Karaka on Thursday May 25, will feature around 120 weanlings.

To see the catalogue click here 

Gavelhouse auction closes tonight

The latest gavelhouse standardbred auction closes from 7pm tonight, with 22 horses up for sale. Included in the lot are seven weanlings from Grant Beckett’s Phoebe Stud near Christchurch, with a Royal Aspirations – KD Spirit colt currently holding the highest bid at $5000. Four race winner Trinity Star is also up for sale, and is currently at $800.

 

Club News – Winton

The annual Southland Master Plumbers Assn Race Day takes place at Central Southland Raceway in Winton this Saturday. Many of the races are sponsored by companies from the plumbing industry while the Murray Gray Memorial Handicap Trot, which remembers successful Ryal Bush trainer Murray Gray, who passed away in 2012 is a feature on the programme. Dunstan Horse Feeds will also be on course with a bbq for trainers and drivers from shortly after Race 1 for a couple of hours.

The first race takes place at 11.45am while the last of ten is scheduled for 4.12pm. Admission to the course will be free.

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