Tony Thomas, Chair of the Seddon Harness Racing Group, was delighted to announce the winners of the inaugural Trainers Championship which includes five clubs in the top of the South, being Kaikoura, Marlborough, Nelson, Westport and Reefton.
Based at Richmond Park in Nelson, Kevin Musso took out the Licence to Train category with 39 points. His best performer was Melando Chief, who had a win on January 15 as well as placings at Nelson, Reefton and Westport
Musso finished seven points ahead of closest challengers Mark and Kendra Gill, and Gerard McCrea (27).
“It’s a great concept,” says Musso, “it did work and I would like to see it get bigger and better.”
Robert and Jenna Dunn took out the Public Trainers’ prize with 180 points, well clear of Mark Jones (119) and Greg and Nina Hope (108)
The prizes for both categories were $3500 for first, $1000 for second, and $500 for third.
The $10,000 prize pool was funded by Harness Racing New Zealand and the Seddon clubs.
The championship featured 11 days of racing all over the top half of the South Island.
It started in Kaikoura in October last year and concluded with Sunday’s meeting at Reefton. To be eligible for the prizemoney trainers had to have starters at six of the 11 days.
“The fields generally stood up well,” says Musso, “and we can improve it with some more promotion and pushing it a bit more.”
To see the final standings click here
