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RACING HISTORY

 

YEAR: 2013

PEOPLE

TOM BRANKIN

The recent death of Tom Brankin will illicit memories for many of an earlier era in harness racing. President of the Hororata Trotting Club from 1981-87 and later its patron, Brankin was a pragmatic and respected leader.

He wrote 'Trotting Beneath the Nor'West Arch', reflecting the slub's first 40 years. Although representing a one-day club at annual conferences, he was given responsibilities chairing discussion groups and was respected for his sound judgement.

Brankin spent his early days in Little River, later farming in Darfield. He and his late wife Rosalie raised a family of six children. A capable rugby player for Darfield and the Ellesmere sub-union, he later became a fine administrator.

In partnership with the late Leo May, he raced several horses, the most successful being the talented mare, Alice In Wonderland. A true gentleman, Tom's presence, particularly at country race meetings in Cantebury, will be missed.

Credit: HRWeekly 10Apr2013

 

YEAR: 2013

PEOPLE

ED WARDWELL

New Zealand harness racing lost a loyal and generous benefactor with the death recently of Ed Wardwell.

He was a big spender for the best part of 20 years on middle-market yearlings, always in partnership with Grant Dickey, and Ken Barron trained them. He was also a ready seller. Aged 79, Wardwell was born in Washington and died in the Virgin Islands.

His best horse was Georgetown (12 wins, $534,190), Thumpem came next with $255,548, and the horse he always thought might have made it to the top had it not been for injury was Thunder N Lightning. Other winners included Spiritual King, Typhoon Touchdown(5), Man Of Honour(3), United We Stand(3), Franco Hemmingway(3), Captain Webber(4), Supreme Mach(8), Pacquaio(2), Seaward(6), Executive Stress(6), Media Miss, Mattnamaras Band(6) and his only trotter, Whatariskybusiness.

Wardwell started off enlisting with the US Naval Academy and had a career in submarines before setting up two marine companies, one that laid oil pipes and the other that specialised in deep sea diving activities. The led to a contract with the US Navy to clean, inspect, repair and paint ships, hulls. The business soon had bases on both coasts of America, plus affiliates throughout Europe, Asia ans Australia. Dickey recalled that when he lost a contract he continued to employ all the staff involved until he regained the business 12 months later.

Wardwell chanced on harness racing when he was in Christchurch on holiday 28 years ago. He bought an apartment and bought his first horse - Dreamin Scheme - from Jim Dalgety - and, keen to help a young man get started, sent the horse to David Butt. They also had success with Rare Charm and Media Miss, while Brian O'Meara and Barry Purdon trained for him until the long association started between John Lischner and Barron.

His racing highlights were winning more than 100 races, watching Thumpem win the Sires' Stakes Series Final and Georgetown the Yearling Sales Series Final, and hearing of Ken's 1000 wins as a driver. Aside from his racing interests, Wardwell was a keen golfer and enjoyed nothing more than paying for his friends to play with him. "He took us to different parts of the world over the past 20 years, including four British Opens," recalled Dickey. "He was a great partner who put faith in people he trusted. He loved the people in the harness racing sport in NZ, and loved NZ. As Ken puts it, Ed was one owner in ten million."

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 8 May 2013

 

YEAR: 2013

PEOPLE

JACK SMOLENSKI - HORSEMAN

Today (Friday February 8) the harness racing community mourn the loss of one of the industries greats. John Joseph (Jack) Warren Smolenski sadly passed away last night (Thursday February 7) at Diana Isaac Retirement Home aged 78 after a series of strokes.

Smolenski, who was born on January 17 1935, will go down as one of the legends of the sport not only for his remarkable record on the racetrack but also his all-round mannerisms.

He will never be forgotten, after all, how can he be when he has his named stamped over basically every big race in the country?

The member of the 1000 win club (1056), has two driving premierships next to his name, and is the only person ever recorded (records dating back to the early 60's) to win the Trainers and Drivers premiership in the same season. Smolenski achieved this great feat in the 1971/1972 season.

As well as winning numerous Derbies and countless Oaks, Smolenski was successful in the 1973 New Zealand Cup with Arapaho, a horse he both trained and drove.

J W Smolenski's is also a member of the 500 training wins club, having trained 742 winners in his illustrious career spanning back to 1949 where he got his introduction to the game by Tom Gunning in Temuka. Gunning was married to Smolenski's auntie Nellie who used to take him to the races as a kid, and raced some good horses herself. This was followed by two spells with Cecil Devine during the 1950's, the era of three-time New Zealand Cup winning Champion False Step, before training on his own account from Reg Curtin's place and then eventually branching out from his own property in Templeton.

Smolenski who was known as a horsepersons horseman, also played a part in the career of late 1970's/1980's rogue champion pacer Lord Module, and won the Allan Manson FFA on him in 1981.

He won his last group one on Pompallier in the Fred & Gary Thompson NZ Trotting Championship in 2007, at the ripe old age of 73, and was rewarded with harness racing's most prestigious honour on October 11 2012 when he was inducted into the Addington Hall Of Fame joining trainer/drivers Derek Jones, Jack Charmichael, Maurice Holmes and former boss Cecil Devine.

Another great feat of Smolenski's is the major role he played in setting up the Harness Racing Canterbury Cadets Scheme, and educating the young reinsman.

The Jack Smolenski legacy will now live on through his family; his son Mark is an established trainer, while grandson Sam is already a group one winning driver.

Jack was the loving husband of Marie, loving father and father-in-law of Mark & Carolyn, Joanne & Peter Ryder and Jill Smolenski, and loving grandfather and great-grandfather of Sam and Maree, Kelly and Phil, Grace and Jack Ryder, Alex and Siobhan Fauth, Larissa Mitchell, Melissa, and Frazer Austin, Lachlan and Jonty.

Jack Smolenski's funeral will be a private one, but a public memorial service will be held in the Addington Raceway members stand on Wednesday at 3pm.

RIP Jack.

A list of group and feature races Jack Smolenski won and the horses he won them with.

•Amaze/Sovereign (NZ Derby), Times Up (NZ Oaks), Times Up/Gina Rosa/Harvest Gold/Gina Marie (GN Oaks), Gina Rosa/Blue Water (Nevele R Fillies), Arapaho (NZ/AK Cup/Stars Travel Mile), Vanadium (Ash Flying Stakes/ID Hts (2)), Rocky Star/Torrent (ID Pacers Consol),Gina Rosa (Premier Mares), Vanadium/Torrent (Easter Cup), Gina Rosa/Royal Belmer (NZ Breeders Stakes), Lord Module/Giovanetto (Alan Matson), Jennys Rocket/Zebec/Harvey Wilson (NZ Trot Derby), Harvey Wilson (GN Trot Derby), Philemon (Dom Hcp), Pompalier (Trot C/S), Melvander (Trot FFA), Waipounamu (CPTC Cup), Nardinski (Flying Stakes - 3), Ostrava (NZ C/S -3), Mels Boy/Nardinski (GN Derby), Nardinski (NZ C/S - 2), Mels Boy (Welcome/Kindergarten Stakes), OK Royal (Messenger). Colonel Grace (Rising Stars - 3), Giovanetto (Superstars - 4), Seaswift Franco (Caduceus Club Classic - 2), Champagne Princess (Sthld Oaks) ; also Melvander/Jenner/Al Mundy (Ordeal Cup), Vanadium (NB Cup (2)/Laing Hcp), Philemon (Worthy Queen Hcp); Lord Lynbar/Seaswift Franco/Starwin Boy/King Aurea (Add Winter Cup) etc.



Credit: Mitchell Robertson - HarnessLink

 

YEAR: 2013

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

2013 GARRARDS NZ SIRES' STAKES 2YO FINAL

They say that Mark Purdon is New Zealand’s best juvenile trainer, well I'll tell you what. His older brother Barry isn’t half bad either. The Clevedon based trainer not only won tonight's (Friday May 11) $165,000 Sires' Stakes Final (Group One) with Maxim but he also got second with Sky Major bringing up a stable quinella.

Both Maxim and Sky Major are owned by Mrs K J Purdon, T G Casey, Clear view Racing no 4 syndicate, J Lohman, T H Henderson and The Anzac Racing Syndicate.

The Purdon trained pair dominated from up front, adopting lead-trail tactics. It was Tony Herlihy and the well supported Sky Major who swung for home first, but they were quickly collared by Zac Butcher and underdog Maxim, who powered up the Stunin Cullen sprint-lane to claim Group One glory.

Isaiah, who looked to be struggling on the bend, found a second win to storm into third for Mark Purdon, while Zacharia, who is also trained by the latter Purdon finished in fourth, giving the Purdon brothers the first four. Zacharia, just for good measure is also owned by Trevor Casey, who is a shareholder in both Maxim and Sky Major.

Maxim dashed his final sectionals in 55.9 and 26.4, eliminating the chances of anything trying to come from the back.

Sixth was the best Australian Allblack Stride could muster, while Regulus faded to fifth after racing outside the leader on the home bend.

Maxim, a son of Bettor's Delight and Splendid Deal (In The Pocket - Splendid Dreams), hails from the all-conquering Scuse Me family, which has produced stars such as Hands Christian (Christian Cullen- Splendid Dreams), Christen Me (Christian Cullen - Splendid Dreams) and of course tonight's New Zealand Oaks first and third placegetters Adore Me (Bettor's Delight - Scuse Me) and Splendour (Bettor's Delight- Splendid Deal). Who is the breeder of Maxim? Yes you guessed it, the man behind this ‘splendid' family, Charlie Roberts.

Maxim's driver Zac Butcher was full of praise for Barry Purdon, thanking him for all of the wonderful opportunities he has presented him with.

Butcher was also full of praise for Maxim.

"We did receive a good trip tonight, but this horse really does try his heart out, and he possesses a big motor."

Butcher also admitted he was relatively confident heading into tonight, although he must have been one of the only ones who were as Maxim paid odds of $18.70 and $3.40.

It was Butcher's second Group One win after having taken out the NZ Oaks with Cheer The Lady at this exact meeting last year.

The win also brought up back-to-back Sires' Stakes wins for Barry Purdon having won the illustrious race last year with another son of Bettor's Delight in Five Card Draw.

It was Barry's seventh win in the race overall, having previously trained Billbob (1984), Chokin (1991), Montana Vance (1992) and Ill Vicolo (1994) to win in partnership with his father Roy, as well as Matai Mackenzie (2000) and Five Card Draw (2012)on his own account.



Credit: Mitchell Robertson writing on harnesslink.com 18May2013

 

YEAR: 2013

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

2013 NEVELE R FILLIES SERIES FINAL

Adore Me moved into Horse of the Year contention with another crushing display in Saturday's $150,000 Nevele R Fillies Series Final No.35 at Addington.

With this weeks New Zealand Oaks and a Jewels Diamond seemingly at her mercy, Adore Me can finish the season unbeaten in 11 races against her own sex and only beaten by Ohoka Punter in the Great Northern Derby, a performance which only earned her further admirers given very few fillies have even taken on the colts in modern times.

Two further Gr1 successes in coming weeks would give Adore Me a total of five and stakes in her first campaign of almost $500,000. She has also claimed a New Zealand mile record for a filly of 1:52.4.

Off colour after the Derby and freshened, Adore Me has returned to racing again looking invincible. Despite drawing an outside gate in the Fillies Final, Mark Purdon was able to treat his opposition with contempt. Eased away into midfield as Kabet took them through a fast lead time, Purdon was on the move with a lap to run but Delightful Christian and Maurice McKendry had designs on getting to the front first. This had Adore Me working three wide in the open for a good way, but she was always travelling too well and had put Delightful Christian away with 700m to run.

With a last quarter in 27.6, Adore Me was always clear in the run home and she crossed the line with over three lengths to spare from stablemate Whisper Jet, who poked between runners after a good trip from Tony Herlihy. There was no loitering along the way and Adore Me's 2:20.6 was a mile rate of 1:56 and not far off Carabella's race and national record.

Purdon has won this race with O Baby and Secret Potion, and there has been other top fillies through the stable such as Twist And Twirl, Lancome, Meredith Maguire, Imagine Me and Imagine That to name just a few in recent times, but Adore Me is clearly in a class of her own. The extra distance of this week's Oaks will only suit Adore Me more than any of her rivals and then it will just come down to a fitting season finale at Ashburton.

Raced by her breeder Charlie Roberts along with his daughter Mary and son-in-law Paul Kenny, who are also racing half-sister Abide With Me on lease with Stephen Reid, Adore Me has also taken the record of her dam Scuse Me to another level when that BG's Bunny mare had seemingly done quite enough. Adore Me is her 10th foal and 10th winner, with eight in 2:00 having also included Imagine Me. Adore Me is Scuse Me's first foal by Bettors Delight however and she has since produced three more, including another filly this season.

Whatever the outcome of the Horse of the Year poll, where Adore Me will vie with Terror To Love, Stig and a late charge from Christen Me, the Broodmare of the Year is also looking a one-horse race for Scuse Me. She also happens to be the grandam of G1 winners Hands Christian and Christen Me and the third dam of good filly Splendour and juvenile Maxim, who both competed in Saturday's features as well.

Credit: Frank Marrion writing in HRWeekly 15May2013

 

YEAR: 2013

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

2013 PGG WRIGHTSON NZ YEARLING SALES SERIES 2YO OPEN

The PGG Wrightson NZYSS 2yo Open is invariably a torrid and action packed affair and this year's Listed feature proved no exception at Addington on Saturday night.

There was early drama when Meticulous, an impressive 1:55.6 winner at Ashburton a week earlier, again choked down and wound up going down, lying on the track with a nasty gash to a knee until the race was finished. And there was later drama at the 600m when Explosive Art and Ubettabelieveit found the searing pace beyond them and wound up locking wheels, effectively wiping out more than half the field with the backwash.

That left a race of five after 13 had started, which soon became four when Cyclone Prince cried off on the home turn. It was a ding-dong go between the last four standing in the drive for the finish, but Isaiah had had the best run and collared the warm favourite Allblack Stride in the passing lane. Tony Herlihy had also given Sky Major a sweet trip and he finished strongly late to also peg back the Aussie raider, with Regulus unlucky and going a big one to finish fourth just half a length from the winner. But the result had largely been determined by the barrier draws.

Isaiah had been plagued by difficult draws before, but he had the ace on this occasion and Mark Purdon knew that Allblack Stride would be around in search of the lead sooner rather than later. That Christian Cullen colt had to camp three wide before working to the front after the first 800m, which ultimately cost him late in the piece and his unbeaten record. Allblack Stride paced his last mile in 1:55 and change after starting from the outside of the front line and would have lost no friends for his remaining engagements here. But Isaiah had also had to contend with the early and surprising charge from Explosive Art and posted a 1:55.5 mile rate for the trip, and his 2:20 had bettered Tintin In America's race and national record of 2:20.5.

This made the performance of Regulus all the more meritorious. After starting from post four on the second line and being in the rear to the 1100m , Regulus was in the three wide line down the back but received a check at the 600m which must have cost him five lengths. How the Mach Three gelding got so close was a feature of the race - his last 400m must have been in 26 and small change.

But the record books will show a seventh win in the event for trainer Mark Purdon, and the sixth since Jack Cade 12 years ago. It also wrapped up a sterling Premier Day result for the All Stars Stable, which won all three features. Minnie Moose would also win the penultimate race to make it six wins from the twelve tote races. Purdon actually won all six races he had starters in after taking a team of 16.

It was a first win for each of the owners of Isaiah however. Bought for $45,000 at Karaka on Purdon's recommendation, Isaiah is raced by regular stable clients Phil and Glenys Kennard, Met club director John Grainger and John Magness along with Neville and Marie Lancaster. The latter Christchurch couple had previously had limited success with Shultz and Highview Ebony although the latter was second in the Sales race for 2-year-old fillies behind Bettor Cover Lover three years ago.

But the Kennards have had an outstanding run in recent times as a result of buying colts from the yearling sales with Purdon. "We've been trying to win this race for a while now and had starters like Fiery Falcon (third in 2007), Highview Tommy (third in 2008) and Major Mark (fourth 2010)." said Glenys. "Mark had siad he just needed a decent draw to be a big chance and he got that finally," she added.

The Kennards deserved success was temperedby the fate of Meticulus however. "I actually missed the first half of the race because I was that worried about him." They were also disappointed that their top ranked 2-year-old trotting Not About Money was in a paddock with a quarter crack instead of contesting the Sires Stakes earlier in the day.

Despite having had little luck with barrier draws prior to this, Isaiah has now raced eight times for four wins and three seconds for stakes worth $189,000 with the Sires Stakes and Jewels still to come. The only time Isaiah has not be one-two was his prior start when fifth a month earlier, after working particularly hard in a quickly run Welcome Stakes. Six days prior to that Isaiah had posted 2:20.7 when winning a Sires Stakes heat by seven lengths.

After debuting before Christmas, Isaiah has also won the Sapling and been second in the Young Guns Final. This was a battle that Isaiah won but the outcome of the war remains undetermined. The Allblack Stride camp remained bullish about their chances this week with a better draw, and then there's Regulus. With the honours having been fairly evenly shared amongst the freshmen male pacers to date, Isaiah now has the edge but the end of the season title will be determined by the Sires Stakes and Jewels results.

Credit: Frank Marrion writing in HRWeekly 15May2013

 

YEAR: 2013

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

2013 SEELITE WINDOWS & DOORS SIRES' STAKES 2YO TROTTERS CHAMPIONSHIP

With four starters involved in the G2 Seelite Windows & Doors Sires' Stakes 2yo Trotters Championship at Addington on Saturday, Trevor Casey always held a strong hand, particularly after One Over Da Moon galloped his way out of contention from the start. And Casey got the perfect result when Daenerys Targaryen, the filly he bred and races on his own account, led from start to finish.

This was always the likely outcome after the beautiful and substantial Majestic Son filly drew the pole and One Over Da Moon had become overly keen in the score up and his gallop resulted in the crupper coming loose along with his remaining gear. With regular driver Ricky May back at the helm, Daenerys Targaryen easily held the lead and May sent them along at a solid clip before easily holding them all at bay with a final quarter in 28.3. The time of 2:28.8 was some way off Sheemon's race and national record 2:25.5 from last year, but May had only gone as fast as he needed.

Apart from precocious ability, Daenerys Targaryen's greatest assets have been her temperament and manners. She has now raced six times for three wins and three seconds, only being beaten by stablemate Not About The Money and One Over Da Moon in the Trotting Stakes. "I don't think she's ever put a foot wrong at home either," said Casey. "We knew she was good from the time Maree Price broke her in - she's usually right," he added.

Daenerys Targaryen is the sixth foal and fifth winner from broodmare revelation Niamey, the dam also of Casey's Jewels winner Pocaro (3, 1:57.5, 13 NZ wins, $233,000) and Springbank Sam (13 NZ wins, $223,000 to date), a last start second in the Rowe Cup. Casey recalled that he had been involved in racing Niamey for a few starts with trainer-driver Ken Barron and Gary Allen, but she had shown nothing and his partners weren't keen to breed. "She was actually pretty close to getting her head chopped off, but as a sister to Africa, I figured I would breed a couple of foals (Lord Nelson and Pacaro). Then Gary decided to breed a couple. He got Ugly Betty and then after I'd told him how good Pocaro was as a yearling, he put Niamey back to Sundon and got Springbank Sam (sold at Premier Sale)."

Casey then bred another brother to the latter in the placed 3yo Sun of Anarchy along with Daenerys Targaryen, although Niamey has only left one foal since in a weanling colt by The Pres. She is now in foal to Muscle Mass for Allen.

Trouble Rieu, a useful looking stayer in the making, stuck on well for second after sitting parked throughout and got a good reward for his effort to finish ahead of the winner's stablemates Twentyten, Hot Pants and Dieu De L'Amour, who were all close up.

But the Jewels is now looking like a race in two and One Over Da Moon will need to get things right. "There's a race at Addington next week for Daenerys Targaryen which will be a nice lead up to the Jewels. "She's in the Breeders Crown, but like most we'll just be looking to get through the Jewels before deciding anything about that. The way the costs are in going to the Crown, you pretty much need to win the thing."


Credit: Frank Marrion writing in HRWeekly 15May2013

 

YEAR: 2013

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

2013 SEELITE WINDOWS & DOORS NZ TROTTING DERBY

Just when it seemed Habibti could take her level of performance no higher, she does. There was no other conclusion at the end of the fascinating finish to the Seelite Windows and Doors NZ Trotting Derby at Addington last Friday night.

After looking only good for third at the top of the straight, when Blitzthemcalder and Royal Aspirations had put two lengths on her, she gamely clung to them, and then started to close in. Blitzthemcalder, a handsome back horse with a reputation to match, did enough to keep a narrow margin on Royal Aspirations, but Habibti was a different kettle of fish. On she came, slowly at first but chasing hard and then deceptively quickly to beat the pair by two necks in a gruelling last 100 metres.

How good are these young trotters? Not only did Habibti break the 2600m mobile record for her age by running 3:13.5, which eclipsed the 3:17.7 set by Shezoneoftheboyz, but it was also inside the allcomers mark of 3:15.1 held by Jasmyn's Gift and faster than Christen Me took to win the Superstars.

"She was pretty tired at the end," said her driver and co-trainer Davey Butt. "Turning in I didn't think I was a show of winning, but half-way down I knew she would. She felt good out of the gate and she's done the job at both ends. You don't get many who can do that, and she's got a lot more speed now," he said.

Habibti, a chestnut by Love You, gave Butt extra pleasure because he is a part-owner with Robert 'Bolty' Paterson and Lynne Paterson. "I've never owned one that good. She's had this tie-up problem, but she seems good at the moment," he said. Habibti now continues her campaign at the Auckland Rowe Cup meeting which starts on Friday week.

Among those to congratulate Butt was his cousin Paul Nairn, a superb trainer of trotters, who said he was breaking in Habibti's yearling sister, a taller type. Meahwhile Chris Alford, was left wondering how success eluded Blitzthemcalder. "What did I do wrong?" said the Aussie ace.

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 10Apr2013

 

YEAR: 2013

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

2013 MUSCARA STANDARDBREDS PROUD SPONSOR NZ DERBY

Border Control got the best of a tight struggle with Bit Of A Legend to win the Muscara Standardbreds Proud Sponsor New Zealand Derby at Addington last Friday night. Given the perfect trip from the prefect draw, Border Control led for nearly a lap before driver Mark Purdon gave it up to Dexter Dunn.

It was a predictable move because Dunn was the one to beat with Bit Of A Legend and there was little doubt he'd hand it up. With the favourite Ohoka Punter having to make ground on them from well back, they were in good shape to run the last lap as Dunn pleased. Ohoka Punter was a safe third and Mossdale Connor came on from three deep to beat Scotlynn Jiggs for fourth.

It was another creditable result for Bettor's Delight, who sired the first four home from five starters, and it was the ninth New Zealand Derby win for Mark Purdon as a driver, following Auckland Reactor, Likmesiah, Jack Cade, Young Rufus, Bogan Fella, The Court Owl, Il Vicolo and Mark Roy. As well, he has co-trained Derby winners, Fly Like An Eagle and Sleepy Tripp.

Border Control is raced bu Phil and Glenys Kennard, Neil Pilcher, Gavin Douglas, Phil and Margaret Creighton and Kevin Riseley, an Australian who took a shine to the horse when he was being sold and asked to be included in the partnership.

The winner of 10 races and a maiden a month or so back, Border Control may well have his next race in Western Australia. Purdon said there was a direct flight to Perth for the race on April 14, and the stake of $250,000 made it worth considering. "He really is the perfect racehorse," said Purdon. "He's got the manners and the travelling won't bother him."

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 10Apr2013

 

YEAR: 2013

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

2013 AVON CITY FORD WELCOME STAKES

Mark Purdon was expected to win the Avon City Ford Welcome Stakes with Isaiah, but he won it instead with his unfancied stablemate, Zacharia.

Blair Orange brought the son of Courage Under Fire home with a devastating burst from midfield to swamp a tiring bunch up front that included Isaiah and Regulus who was below his best. Isaiah wasn't, but he had a tough run, wide early, always moving forward without favours, parked, leading in and fading with a punctured tyre. On the other hand, Zacharia was handy but lost his position, which eventually was instrumental in his opportunity to finish with the speed he did.

Zacharia was bought by Neil Pilcher and Trevor Casey for $30,000. Pilcher didn't mind the price, nor the fact others had passed him over because he was so small. "I've had a great run with them - Smolda, Almost A Christian, and we lost him before we saw how good he was, Glengowan and Equaliser. I actually picked him out on the video, and then I was a little disappointed when I saw him, but everything was in proportion, and he's a lovely wee horse."

Driver Blair Orange said he didn't expect to beat the good ones. "What made it for us is that we got one cold shot at them. He's got a great will to win. And he's got high gate speed, and that's something we haven't used as yet." Orange has previously won the race in successive years with Kotare Mach, Highview Tommy and Ohoka Arizona.

Credit: Mikw Grainger writing in HRWeekly 10Apr2013

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