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2013 PGG WRIGHTSON NZ BREEDERS STAKES

There is no stopping Bettor Cover Lover. Good opposition, bad draws, short trips, long ones; there's no hurdle. She truly is a great mare.

She beat Tatijana Bromac and Elusive Chick in the Group 1 PGG Wrightson NZ Breeders Stakes at Addington last Friday night with a typically rugged effort and a drive by Brent Mangos that coupled conservatism with confidence.

He pushed through early from the second line to settle in midfield on the outer. The position got better, and while Mangos could have stayed where he was for a bit longer, and took the risk out of the equation at the 1000m, and went forward. Elusive Chick gave him the front, and soon Mangos was opening up. The big mare kept running at a steady but hard pace, gradually extending her lead as Mangos drove her out. The race was over and the result was clear except for the margin at the 200m, Tatijana Bromac running strongly out of the pack to take second from Elusive Chick.

Bettor Cover Lover is unbeaten in five starts this season, and her earnings from 28 starts and 18 wins are $914,406. She was bred by Denis Bennett and Linda Joyce, and raced by Karnup Racing Ltd of Perth. Bettor Cover Lover will now have a quiet week before Mangos heads to Menangle for the Ladyship Mile in March.

He is philosophical the golden run won't last for ever. "She's as good now as you could get her, but I know she's not going to win every week." And while that's just what she's doing now, Mangos still reflects with awe on her recovery from an awful foot injury during a trip to Australia when she was three. "Saving her life, and going from there to a broodmare to a racecourse again...that took a long time and a lot of good management. For a start it was touch and go. If an infection had set in that was the end of it. Now she's virtually grown a new foot and she's never been lame on it," he said.

Along with co-trainer Hayden Cullen, Mangos has a strong team, but none of them will ever have a tale of survival and success like 'Betty'.

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 6Feb13

2013 PGG WRIGHTSON NZ YEARLING SALES 3YO FILLIES PACE

Delightful Christian was back to her brilliant best at Addington last Friday night.

With her gate speed, and from a draw to use it, Delightful Christian flew from the pole and was clear after 200 metres. Onlyforyou wasn't a threat from the trail, as she could have been, and it was left to a brave Rozelski to head home the others in the $175,000 PGG Wrightson NZ Yearling Sales Series 3YO Fillies Championship.

Delightful Christian was the only drive of the night for Maurice McKendry. "She's got gate speed, which helped her, and she came back to me when I wanted her to. She was more on her game tonight than what she's been," he said.

The daughter of Christian Cullen is trained by John Green and 'Bunty' Hughes, and Hughes said her mixed form at the end of last year had been because she was a victim of bad draws. "We flew down, but she's on the road home, so we'll see what she's like when she gets back, but there's a Nevele R heat in a fortnight for her," he said.

As good as she is, and with stakes of more than $200,000 from seven wins and 16 starts, Delightful Christian has not yet reached the high plateau Hughes placed Imam at the same age. "She was an outstanding filly. She won two Oaks and six out of eight, and with two bowed tendons. We never saw the best of her," he said.

Credit: Nike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 6Feb13

2013 GLENFERRIE FARM 4&5YO TROTTERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Small fields can result in intriguing tactical battles which make them the most difficult to win and we certainly saw a great example of this last Friday night in the Glenferrie Farm 4&5yo Trotters Championship at Addington.

With 5-year-olds included for the first time, this was still a disappointing eight horse field to start with, but when Cyclone U Bolt fluffed the start badly along with both 10m starters in Pretty Sunday and Trip's On Me, and then Monnay made a mistake later, it was effectively down to a three-horse war.

Stant led easily from 20m but Colin De Filippi soon handed up to Phil's Gift, retaking a short time later. Springbank Sam, a noted sit-sprinter, then movedfrom third a lap out to sit parked and 'stuck it' to Stent with a sharp quarterdown the back. De Filippi later explained that if he'd stayed where he was, Nathan Williamson was likely to hand up to brother Matthew with Springbank Sam at some point sooner or later, and Stent would have been three-back in a sprint for home.

Matthew Williamson didn't want to be in the same predicament with De Filippi allowed to dictate however, so he wanted to be handier and in a position to control the speed better, but Springbank Sam over-raced once in clear air. "He settles good in behind and I didn't want to go up to Colin, but he has a mind of his own," said Matthew.

All this left Stent and Springbank Sam as sitting ducks and the benefactor was Phil's Gift, who had again made his own luck by stepping sharply from the unruly mark off 20m. He took the passing lane with purpose to nab Stent by half a length as they trotted the last quarter slower than the penultimate one. Springbank Sam just battled the last bit and Sunny Kash had gamely but vainly chased them around for fourth money.

This completed a great week for Phil's Gift, who had likewise upset Springbank Sam the previous week after being set for the Group 3 race by trainer Marray Tapper, whose brother Kim shares in the ownership with Mike Hynes, Peter Parker and Ray Scott, all of South Canterbury.

This was Phil's Gift's eigth win and apart from being third in last year's Jewels, where he was beaten a neck, this was easily their best week and biggest result. The Sundon gelding picked up $20,000 for his weekly efforts and took his overall stakes past $66,000 after the brother to top mare Jasmyn's Gift had been purchased at the Premier Sale for $18,000. "That's put him well into the Jewels again now, so we'll start next week and then give him a wee break with the Jewels in mind," said Murray Tapper. "I think these Sundons are better when they're a bit silly".

Credit: Frank Marrion writing in HRWeekly 27Mar13

2013 VERO FLYING STAKES

Tony Herlihy still rates Chokin as the best 3yo he has driven, but Ohoka Punter is "working his way up there".
The Bettor's Delight colt stayed on track for the big three of Derbys when he easily accounted for the Vero Flying Stakes at Addington last Friday night.

The complete performance was such that his rivals must be shaking their heads as to how they can possibly beat him. Ohoka Punter had the speed to comfortably hold a hot lead from barrier one at the 1950 start, and after buttoning off in the middle, he sprinted home in 27.3 to easily hold the trailer Border Control and Mossdale Connor at bay. "He was actually switching off at times in the run home, but he kept finding when I asked," said Herlihy.

What makes Ohoka Punter so appealing is his versatility. He has speed and can stay and can be driven in front or in behind. There are no real flaws in his makeup, unlike some of his main rivals, which is what makes beating him so difficult. In eight races this season and since returning from an injury enforced spell, Ohoka Punter has only been upset in a lead up to the Victoria Derby.

Herlihy has trained some nice 3-year-olds before in Maheer Lord (Sires Stakes 3yo Final) and Bella's Boy (Breeders Crown 2yo, Vic Derby), with one a fine stayer and the other a sharp sprinter, but Ohoka Punter has gone past them. He has won New Zealand Derbys with Fly Like An Eagle and Badlands Bute, and Ohoka Punter was his fourth Great Northern Derby winner as a reinsman, but only Chokin still rates higher despite missing the latter half of his 3-year-old season.

"Being a Bettor's Delight, he would never really excite you in trackwork at home. But he's always felt like a good horse and all along I had hopes he would get to this level.Having that time off last year was probably a blessing in disguise as he feels a lot stronger now."

While Herlihy has had plenty of experience in the big time, Katie Carville, who bred Ohoka Punter from the Christian Cullen mare Millwood Minisota with her late husband Dave, has been in new territory lately. Carville has raced plenty of good horses, but none of them have actually been around for the Derbys, outside of Ohoka Texas starting a couple of years ago when never really a factor.

"Ohoka Arizona would have been the best one, but he broke down in the spring," said Carville. "The Victoria Derby was special because we were hopeful rather than confident, and it was a nice surprise. Tony was quietly confident before the Great Northern Derby, so we were more than hopeful there. But now the pressure is going to be on because everyone will expect us to win (the New Zealand Derby). That will be worse - I'd rather be the underdog."

Ohoka Punter must now also entering caculations as a sire prospect, although Carville has had no overtures from any of the leading studs as yet. "We stood Ohoka Arizona at Wai Eyre when Dave was around, but I wouldn't want that responsibility myself." Ohoka Punter will go straight into next week's $150,000 feature as the hottest favourite since Auckland Reactor five years ago, when he set a New Zealand record of 3:09.4. Especially as Franco Nelson was such a disappointment last Friday night.

The Christian Cullen colt had an early look before settling three back on the fence, but didn't yelp in the run home. "Craig (Thornley) said he felt flat all the way actually," said trainer Steven McRae. "I thought he was really good and better than he was in Auckland, so we didn't see that coming.

Border Control, Mossdale Connor and Elios, the latter competing well above his station, completed a Bettor's Delight rout of the Group 2 race, but perhaps only Classiesistar if he can draw to lead or Franco Nelson if he can rebound can upset the applecart next week. Mark Purdon will also have Arden Rooney on hand next week, as will Cran Dalgety with Bit Of A Legend, but not many will be betting against Ohoka Punter.

Credit: Frank Marrion writing in HRWeekly 27Mar13

2013 STORER MOTERS/ NZ TROTTERS TRUST NZ TROTTING OAKS

The years NZ Trotting Oaks always promised to be a match race between the two outstanding Love You chestnut fillies Habibti and Paramount Queen, and the G3 race did not disappoint.

With odds on favourite Habibti on the second line and Paramount Queen drawn wide in a full field, the latter was always going to leave alertly for the front, but Blair Orange also knew it would only be a matter of time before Habibti and David Butt came round to take up the challenge.

Paramount Queen was clear and cruising by five lengths when they settled for the first run up the straight, while Habibti was in the three wide train with cover from the start but not making any progress as they straightened into the back straight. Butt had to then pull Habibti four wide and set sail for Paramount Queen, who had been taking them along at a merry clip on a cool and blustery evening. Butt paused momentarily before issuing his challenge as they swung for home, and Habibti was always travelling too strongly, going on to score by a length and a half in a relatively sedate 2:00.7 mile rate for the 1950m.

A week earlier, Habibti had shown blistering speed in accounting for Royal Aspirations and Sheemon in 2:22.3 (MR 1:57.4), which actually broke Stig's all-age national record by .4 of a second. Quite A Moment, who had a minor soreness issue when she raced previously in the Sales event, did well for third in a gap of four lengths, but the rest were simply outclassed. The siring quinella came as a result of Love You's second crop of 20-odd foals, having produced Sires Stakes winner Lotalov in the first. The last time this had been achieved in the race was in 2005, when One Over Kenny downed Petite Sunset for Sundon.

Habibti, one of last year's top 2-year-olds and winner of the Trotting Stakes while being narrowly beaten in the Sires Stakes, has won four of five races this season, with her only defeat being when going for a rare gallop when leading at the 300m in the Hambletonian Classic won by Paramount Queen. Butt has been battling back soreness and tie up issues with Habibti lately, but is obviously on top of things now. "She had a bit of tying up last year, but she's been a lot worse this time in and the morning of the Hambletonian she could hardly walk," said Butt. "So afterwards we changed her feed dramatically and now she does something everyday. Tomorrow she'll go for a jog just to get a sweat up, when most would be having the day off. Tie up is usually a build up in excess energy," he added.

Having made the late payment to contest this season's Sires Stakes series and the Prelude a week earlier, Habibti now goes forth to the NZ Trotting Derby next week and another round with Paramount Queen, Royal Aspirations and Sheemon, with probably only Saratoga capable of mixing it with them and perhaps a wild card in Blitzthemcalder. The latter, although impressive with a 1:56;6 mile at Melton last Friday night, could be in for a rude awakening with the quality of this crop of 3-year-olds.

Habibti will then head for Auckland for the GN Trotting Derby and Sires Stakes, and then quite possibly straight on to Australia. "We're thinking about going for the NSW Trotting Oaks and Derby and Victoria Trotting Oaks over three weeks, rather than the Jewels. She's a strong filly and probably better off racing the longer trips, than a mile, plus you only get one shot at Oaks and Derby races. Those three races go for $150,000 Australian, rather than one race for $100,000 here, and then you still have the Victorian Trotting Derby in July all going well." Butt said.

David and Catherine Butt's Birchbrook Breeding Ltd races Habibti with Rob and Lynne Paterson of Rangiora after she was purchased privately as a yearling from breeder Gaby Maghzal. At the same time they bought Habibti's chestnut brother Lothario, a good second in a 2yo trot the previous week at Addington, but he's been turned out for the season. "He's going to be a good 3yo next year, but he's not quite up to the top ones at the moment."

Credit: HRWeekly 27Mar13

2013 GARY THOMPSON/FRED SHAW NZ TROTTING CHAMPIONSHIP

Vulcan's rich vein of form continued when he had little trouble dispatching a small but classy field in the $80,000 Gary Thompson/Fred Shaw NZ Trotting Championship at Addington last Saturday night.

After a run of consistent form at Menangle in February, Vulcan really hit his straps at Melton last month, and remarkably, the Trotting Championship was his fifth G1 success in 22 days. Whether a heat of the Great Southern Star should have been accorded G1 status is highly debateable, but that's what the record books will show and that many Group race wins in such a short space of time must have been some sort of record to boot. More to the point, Vulcan has earned $350,000 in those three weeks and also an invitation to the famed Elitlopp in Sweden.

The Trotting Championship was actually Vulcan's first win at Addington since his big NZ Trotting FFA- Dominion double during Cup Week 16 months ago, and his form had been patchy since. Butt had been battling a combination of issues, including a "crook back" which had him trotting roughly and a couple of viruses, but he knew he was getting on top of things around the time of the big mile at Menangle, where he finished third to Keystone Del. "He'd been treated for a virus and we'd changed his feed, so he's been racing lighter. He loves the smaller tracks so we knew we were in pretty good shape going into Melton."

Vulcan's ability to corner well has been evident since he upset Kahdon in the Jewels at Cambridge as a 3-year-old, and he has now won 10 G1s and 17 races in all for stakes worth $917,000. This puts him in a league with Butt's previous trotting greats Lyell Creek and Take A Moment, but Butt has never had Vulcan in that elite class. In career best form though, Vulcan was able to sit parked for the last 1400m on Saturday night and still proved too good for Stent and Springbank Sam, with a gap to Cyclone U Bolt and Phil's Gift. Vulcan trotted his last mile in 1:58.9, home in 57.5 and 28.9, to complete the 2600m journey in a solid 3:16.8.

By Game Pride from a top trotting mare in First Prize and a sister to another one in October Pride, Abundant only managed a few placings and had had a few foals when Jenny's late husband Murray, the father of Tim and Anthony, decided to run her through the Mixed Sale. "I rang Don and said we can't let this mare get away." McKenzie had had a few pacers with Murray up to this point with moderate success, but had always loved the trotters.

"I can recall going to Addington to watch the likes of Marius and Tony Bear in the early 70's," said Don. "There were a lot of great trotters around that time and they would all fan out across the track. We were told Abundant would cost around $4000 but I think I got her for $700. I was that keen to buy her I had the last three bids," he added. For a while McKenzie wondered if he had acquired the 'poorer sister', but whereas October Pride has been a disappointing broodmare, Abundant has never stopped producing.

The first horse she left for them was a nice one in Bizness (5 NZ wins), and not long after came a couple of top ones in Noam and Genius, the latter winning 24 races and $215,000. A Sundon sister in Epona was born the year between that pair and Butt and McKenzie are now breeding from other daughters of Abundant in Farisa (Chiola Hanover), Stimulus (Armbro Invasion) and Maysoon (Sundon). They now have six mares in total from the family, with each party taking care of three. Epona's first foal was a colt and a useful performer in Lotsa Speed (6 NZ wins, US1:56.6), while Vulcan is the second colt.

Credit: Frank Marrion writing in HRWeekly 4Apr13

2013 GLENFERRIE FARM 2YO TROTTING STAKES

Lex and Heather Williams were having mixed emotions after the first foal from their outstanding trotting mare One Over Kenny - One Over Da Moon - had caused a minor upset in Saturday night's NZ 2yo Trotting Stakes at Addington.

While the result was far from any sort of complete surprise in an event which was expected to be dominated by the Mark Purdon-trained pair of Not About The Money and Daenerys Targaryen, after One Over Da Moon had gone a very good trial with David Butt driving for the first time at Motukarara the prior Monday, the Williams' couldn't be on had to see it. "We had to be at a relative's wedding in Dunedin, so that was all a bit of a disaster," said Lex.

Things had not gone exactly right for One Over Da Moon in two prior races, with greenness a not unexpected issue with these youngsters, but the small but strong chestnut colt gave a faultless display on this occasion. Butt was able to easily hold the lead from barrier one and after trotting along at an even 2:00 clip, One Over Da Moon held on to score by three parts of a length over Daenerys Targaryen with the rank outsider Trouble Rieu sticking on strongly for third.

Odds on favourite Not About The Money was fourth in a gap of four lengths after moving up to sit parked from the 1400m. "He was overracing - that's why I had to move up from the one-one," said Blair Orange. "He didn't settle at all and can do that, but he'll keep," he added.

Not About The Money's keenness pushed One Over Da Moon to a new race record of 2:26.2, which easily beat Habibti's 2:27.8 from last year. And it wasn't that far off Sheemon's track & NZ record of 2:25.5, set in last year's Sires Stakes in May.

Much of the credit for One Over Da Moon's success was being aimed at young Matt Purvis, who has been handling Paul Nairn's team while he was campaigning Stig in Australia and away for the best part of a month. Nairn only got back on Tuesday of last week, so had also missed the Mot trial. "When they were running along with quarters in 30, I wasn't sure if he was ready for that, but Davy (Butt) obviously had it figured out," said Nairn. Purvis, a son of John, has been working with Nairn for almost two years, after a prior stint with Greg Hope.

Nairn has had One Over Da Moon since he was broken in by John Versteeg. "He's always been a small but stroppy and strong colt. He has quite a bit of fold in his action, but he still has speed and can stay, so I think he could be alright." One Over Da Moon, from Majestic Son's first crop, as a result of shuttling, is an embryo transfer from a time when One Over Kenny was still racing, having missed that season in an attempt with Muscles Yankee's frozen semen.

One Over Kenny, the only trotting mare in Australasia to win over a million dollars, was still racing in Auckland when One Over Da Moon was born. She then visited Pegusus Spur and has a chestnut yearling colt by him called One Over Dover, but she missed last season to services by Muscles Yankee and The Pres, before going in foal this season to Love You.

Williams is excited by the prospect of a chestnut filly by him, but in the meantime, it is One Over Da Moon that will be providing all the excitement needed. He has a Sires Stakes Prelude at Addington on Friday week with the final a month later and then the Jewels. "He's also Breeders Crown eligible but I haven't spoken to Paul about that yet," said Lex. "In fact I haven't spoken to Paul about much at all, come to think of it," he added.

Credit: Frank Marrion writing in HRWeekly 4Apr13

2013 BRECKON FARMS & ALL STARS RACING STABLES EASTER CUP

Terror To Love was back at Addington last Saturday night to make a statement and it was a big statement. So much so that he 'sent the willies up' Cran Dalgety, who is now having second thoughts about taking on Terror To Love with Christen Me in the Miracle Mile.
Terror To Love only had six rivals and three genuine open class pacers to contend with in the $100,000 Breckon Farms and All Stars Racing Stables Easter Cup, a race in which he was beaten by Hands Christian last year.

Having disappointed in the Inter-Dominion and been unlucky in the Auckland Cup, Terror To Love - or more to the point Rick May - was in no mood to show much mercy. After Fly Like An Eagle had taken up the early running from Jivin Cullen, May made his move with 2100m to go and Terror To Love was cruising from the 1800m with the speed for the first mile just comfortable. But when May fired the retro rockets in the run home, Terror To Love burst away to leave his rivals floundering with the back end of a 4:02.2 3200m in a sparkling 26.4.

Highview Tommy and Fly Like An Eagle were genuine disappointments, and it was left to Fronco Ledger to outfinish Ellmer Hanover in the race for second money in a gap of six lengths. The latter, a maiden at the start of the season and still just a six-win horse, did well after costing himself 10m with a gallop at the start.

This was Terror To Love's 21st win from 47 races and took his stakes tally for Terry McDonald to $1.33m, with some big plums still to pick this season.

Credit: Frank Marrion writing in HRWeekly 4Apr13

2013 PGG WRIGHTSON NZ YEARLING SALES SERIES 2YO TROTTERS CHAMPIOSHIP

A habit of 'going back to the well' doesn't usually get the desired result, but it has paid quick dividends for the connections od Dieu De l'Amour, last week's winner of the $85,000 NZYSS 2yo Trotters Championship.

The Love You-Sun Goddess gelding was bought at last year's Premier Sale for $30,000 by stable clients of Victorian trainer Authony Crossland. They had earlier raced the first foal from Sun Goddess in Bohemian, buying him after he'd finished third in the 2yo Sales race behind Paramount Geegee and at the Cambridge Jewels to Kylie Ree. Bohemian, by Continentalman, would go on tho be Australian 3yo Trotter of the Year, winning the NSW Trotters Derby, Holmfield and Victoria Trotters Derby in 2011.

Off the back of that, it wasn't hard to make a bid for his half-brother a year ago, entrusting Dieu De l'Amour to Mark Purdon for an event like the Sales race. In between Bohemian and Dieu De l'Amour, Sun Goddess has also produced DiMaggio, a 4yo which has gone through to open class with seven wins for Stephen Doody.

With Not About The Money out for th season with a quarter crack and Daenerys Targaryen and One Over Da Moon both homebreds, this season's 2yo Sales Trot had shaped as being an open and easier affair and Dieu De l'Amour had been building nicely for it. "The way things panned out, I couldn't have scripted a better run," said Blair Orange. "I wouldn't say this fellow has been a natural 2yo, but he is going to make a very nice 3yo," he added.

The fillies Schleck and Hot Pants had vied for favouritism and after they'd had a tussle for the front in the second quarter, and Schleck had run wide on the showgrounds bend in getting there, she soon had the attentions of Rocky Mountain Son down the back. This early exertion had softened both fillies up. Meanwhile Dieu De l'Amour, had been eased away from a wide draw but was steadily making progress during the run before landing the one-one over the last lap.

Just when Mark Purdon and Hot Pants looked like claiming the Barry Purdon trained Schleck up the passing lane, Orange arrived on the scene to win easily and going away by a length. Hot Pants (Majestic Son-Dutch Annie) was also bought for $30,000 from the Sales and is raced by Trevor Casey and Natalie Rasmussen, while Schleck was also bought at Karaka for $28,000 by a syndicate which includes Casey as well. K D Muscles, like Schleck a filly by Muscle Mass, trotted home nicely from three fence for a sound fourth.

Dieu De l'Amour, the second Sales race winner by Love You following on from You Rock at Addington last year will now head for the Sires Stakes series and then the Jewels.


Credit: HRWeekly 1May13

2013 CANTERBURY BREEDERS NZ OAKS

Some things stay the same. Adore Me, for one. Another win, one classic after another. Some things don't change. Mark Purdon again.

Reaching for plaudits - "she's phenomenal, so relaxed, great rate of recovery." And more ..."she's gone 3.11. In those conditions, it's another three seconds."

Adore Me had just won the Canterbury Breeders New Zealand Oaks on a wet track from Safedra and Splendour. The win had been comfortable, by more the two lengths, after a midfield run before Purdon took off at the 2000m and had her in front before the mile.

Back home, in Auckland where he had enough on his plate the next day selling weanlings at the mixed sale, breeder and part-owner Charlie Roberts would have been overjoyed. Simply because of one short word - Oaks. For breeders, the Oaks is the high bar, the level of achievement that all aim for but few reach. Roberts has won countless races, and many big, but never the New Zealand Oaks - until now.

His part-owner and son-in-law Paul Kenny knew what it meant to Charlie. "It's the pinnacle of breeding achievement, something he has always wanted. It has been a lifetime goal, winning the Oaks here, and now he has it." Mary Kenny, Charlie's daughter and part-owner of Adore Me, said if it hadn't been for the sale, her 89-year-old father would have been on track. "He seldom misses a meeting at Alexandra Park and he's booked to be down for the Jewels," she said.

Not only did Roberts breed Adore Me, but also the third horse Splendour, which he part-owns. The pair were separated by Safedra, whose previous win was at Ascot Park before running out of space in the Nevele R Stud Fillies Final. While the winner was superior, Safedra came out and punched above her weight. She drew the outside of the gate, was four wide briefly when improving at the 1800m, and from the 1600m was posted outside the leader. There was no sign of weakening resolve as she gallantly held her ground to the finish.

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HRNZ 22May2013