News Briefs – July 26

[Wandering Eyes]

Court back in winner’s circle

Best known for his New Zealand Cup winning heroics with Terror To Love, Paul Court has been back in the winner’s circle, this time in Canada where he’s lived on and off since 2008. The Court-trained Hail Christian won his 23rd race at Georgian Downs earlier this month. That took Hail Christian’s earnings past $400,000. Trained by Paul Court in this country Hail Christian won nine from 45 before heading off to Australia and then North America. Paul and his father Graham (pictured above) trained in partnership when Terror To Love won his three consecutive New Zealand Cups in 2011,2012 and 2013. He has trained two winners this year in North America and 11 overall.

Dunn climbs up drivers’ premiership

After a slower than usual start to 2023 Dexter Dunn is working his way up the leaderboard in North America. He’s currently 13th overall in terms of stakes earned this year with $3.38m and 112 wins. Leading the money earners is Jason Bartlett with $5.8m (332 wins) while Aaron Merriman has the most wins with 486 ($4.6m). Dunn has been the leading driver in the USA for the past three years but hasn’t been so dominant so far this year, after spending last summer in New Zealand.

Promising pacer sold

Promising juvenile A Little Silence has been sold and will do his future racing offshore. Trained by Matt Purvis and driven by Ricky May the Downbytheseaside two-year-old has had just the two starts finishing runner-up in both the Group 2 Welcome and Sapling Stakes. Bred by Alabar, A Little Silence was bought for just $4000 at the 2021 National Weanling Sales and had already totalled nearly $14,000 in his two starts to date before being sold.

Marshall running at 60 per cent

Former Kiwi trainer-driver Kyle Marshall is looking to build-on his stunning strike rate since making Australia home when he heads to Melton on Friday night. Marshall boasts a 60 per cent winning strike rate as both a trainer and a driver since setting-up at the Cranbourne training complex in Victoria three months ago. Northern Derby runner-up Son Of Mac is the stable headline act and is aiming for four wins from as many Aussie runs at Melton on Friday night, while unbeaten two-year-old Smoken Ace is aiming for his fourth win at Ballarat on Saturday night.

New world record in North America

It’s My Show blazed to a world record of 1:47.8 at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Pennsylvania. The mile is the fastest ever by a three-year-old gelding on a five-eighths mile track (1000m), eclipsing the old mark set by Wiggle It Jiggleit and Lucan Hanover. The horse is now undefeated in seven outings this year, with career earnings topping $500,000.

Expos to get underway soon

The Standardbred Breeders’ Stallion Expo gets underway at Auckland on Thursday, August 3 before making its way down the country. The first expo will be at the Lyell Creek Lounge at Alexandra Park from 6.00pm with nibbles, cash bar and bistro meals available for purchase. For catering purposes please advise Cathie Shaw – cathie.shaw@waipadc.govt.nz

The Canterbury Expo at Addington Raceway (Terror To Love Lounge) will be held two days later on Sunday, August 6, starting at 11am. Between 11 and the first race, interviews with all the studs with focus on the new sires. There will be a buffet provided at 1pm. EFTPOS bar, no cash. For catering purposes please advise Rebecca Mooney, 03 347 7212 or midfrew@hotmail.com

The third and final expo will be at Ascot Park Hotel, Invercargill with doors opening at 4pm and the presentations starting at 4.30pm. Refreshments will be provided with bar and light snacks. For catering purposes please advise Gail Paisley, gail.alan@outlook.co

Deadline approaches for Yearling Sale

Entries for the 2024 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sale close this Friday, 28 July 2023. To nominate your yearlings, visit NZB Standardbred’s online portal at standardbred.portal.nzb.co.nz. For enquiries, contact Grant Inglis (+64 3 260 3424 or email grant.inglis@nzb.co.nz).

Harness racing turnovers for the past week

Cambridge (last Thursday) Turnover $544,698 and Gross Betting Margin 30.5%, Addington (last Friday) $978,077, 28.7% and Addington (Sunday) $794,787, 29%.

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