By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
North Canterbury trainer Regan Todd isn’t one to get too carried away but he concedes that Shut Up N Dance is “pretty exciting”.
Todd had success on Friday and Sunday at Addington, both with daughters of Art Major. The eye-catching Shut Up N Dance (Art Major – Dance N Delight) made it two from two while Play Philly (Art Major – Shezaball) took out the Group Three Downbytheseaside Leonard Memorial Stakes
On Friday Shut Up N Dance won by nearly four lengths. She went straight to the lead, handed up to Five Star General and then shot up the passing lane when the second favourite rolled off the fence turning for home.
“It worked out perfect,” said Todd
As comprehensive a victory as it was, it was still nowhere near the staggering 10 length demolition she produced on debut.
As for the future Todd has plans, especially now that top mares Amazing Dream, Watch Me Now and Beyond Words have all been sold overseas, though Amazing Dream will race here till June at least.
“She’s pretty exciting isn’t she,” Todd says of Shut Up N Dance, “among the targets will be some of the premier meetings coming up and then onto the (Harness) Jewels”
Todd got the horse from Nathan Williamson. She’d shown a lot of promise for Southland’s top trainer but was shifted north to be trained on the beach at Woodend.
“She’s had some leg issues so we will try and keep her sound,” says Todd.
And then in yesterday’s Group 3 Downbytheseaside Leonard Memorial Stakes for the two-year-old fillies Play Philly (Art Major – Shezaball) won her second race in just three starts.
But it was a very different sort of winning performance with Robbie Close getting her into the clear after being three back the fence and then hanging on to win by a head from Suntan in a gutsy performance.
“She was getting tired but she stuck on,” says Todd.
The filly has come a long way in a short space of time.
“She was awful as a yearling. She couldn’t pace – it took three preps before she started getting better.”
“It’s great for the owner too (Scott Elliffe/Heritage Ventures), it’s the first horse he’s had with us.”
Todd is now looking at an Auckland campaign for the filly, with up-coming Sires Stakes and Harness Millions races.
Todd’s dual success takes him to 24 wins for the season, his best is 38 (in 2020) though stakes-wise he’s set to have his best season yet .
And he’s hoping for many more Art Major winners as well.
“We picked up a couple at the (yearling) sales – I wouldn’t mind a stable full of them.”
