By Michael Guerin
One of New Zealand’s most famous sets of racing colours could be coming to a harness racing track near you next season.
But first Waikato Stud owner Mark Chittick will have to get a bigger set made.
(Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell)
Chittick, the man who owns the giant thoroughbred breeding operation, has bought his first harness horse, outlaying $50,000 for a Tactical Landing filly out of Queen Bea, an unraced sister to Queen Elida.
And he wants it wearing his famous colours, the same ones his recently-retired champion I Wish I Win wore when winning races like the Golden Eagle.
“It came about through a good mate and client of ours Tony Barron,” explains Chittick.
“He has had [thoroughbred] broodmares here for ages and we have become good mates.
“We discussed me getting a harness horse because, after all, Super Rugby only runs six months a year and I want something to watch on Friday nights the rest of the time.
“Tony was looking for a while but he had this filly pass in and rang me and suggested she would be ideal. So we are in.
“We want to race her in the Waikato Stud colours but we realise the harness drivers might be a bit big for the jockey’s colours so we will have to get a new set made.”
Chittick has even named his filly, calling her On The Throne, typical from a man who conducts his breeding business at the highest levels but always with a smile on his face.
“They questioned the name but I told them everything from the family has Queen or something like that in their name so they gave it to us.
“I am really looking forward to following her, it will be a lot of fun and different from our gallopers because it will all be new, whereas with the horses we breed we are far more invested mentally.”
Barron is stoked to get his mate into the filly who went through the ring in Christchurch as Lot 185 and says On The Throne has broken in beautifully.
“I love having gallopers at Waikato Stud as well as the ones I have racing so hopefully we can repay the favour to Mark with this filly.
“There are a lot of cross coders around, some that people wouldn’t realise, and it can only be good for the industry.”
When the Waikato Stud colours eventually roll on to a harness track here they will join some of New Zealand’s most famous thoroughbred colours with Pencarrow (Sir Peter Vela), Tommy Heptinstall (owner of Jolimont) and most regularly Graeme Rogerson of course just some of the major thoroughbred names having harness horses race in their colours recently.
