Another milestone looming for Gerard O’Reilly, the return of the Duchess, the Otago and Southland Awards winners and Addington Raceway’s Owners Night all feature in this week’s News Briefs.
One down one to go for O’Reilly
Ashburton trainer-driver Gerard O’Reilly is on the brink of achieving two milestones in quick succession. He clocked up his 200th training success when he drove Bettor Be Sharp to a gutsy win in the Woodlands Stud Thanks Buyers Mobile Pace won at Addington last Friday and now sits on 698 as a driver. His 200 training wins have come from 1521 starts with his first winner being Kivalina at Blenheim in 1994. His first driving success was with Yellow Ribbon for his father Patrick O’Reilly Senior in 1982.
Stormont out till April, at least
James Stormont will be out of action for a while after breaking a leg at his employer Graeme Rogerson’s barn. He was kicked by a young horse. He broke a bone in his leg and damaged the ligaments on the inside of his knee. He’s hoping to be back driving sometime next month. Stormont has had 1305 career wins, putting him 17th in the all time New Zealand list. He’s also had 227 wins as trainer.
Trainers urged to buy scanners
Trainers are being reminded to buy their own scanners, now that there aren’t any freeze brands. The reminder comes after a recent case of mistaken identity of a horse following a paddock mix up. Scanners are available for less than $100.
For more information on microchipping click here
House leads trainers’ premiership
After producing 17 winners in February, Michael House now has a big lead in the trainers’ premiership. His 32 winners is 18 clear of nearest challengers Robert and Jenna Dunn, and Mark Jones, both on 14. Seven-time champion Blair Orange leads the drivers’ premiership with 38, 14 ahead of Wilson House, with Sam Ottley on 23 and Orange’s son Harrison on 21.
$270,000 yearling makes debut
An expensive purchase at the 2024 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales, Queen Lizzy has made her public debut. The Captaintreacherous-Princess Tiffany filly, bred by the Whitelocks and purchased at the sales by Mark Jones for $270,000, qualified at Ashburton on February 26. She won the six-horse trial by a nose. The yearling was the top lot at Karaka and was second overall behind the then record price of $340,000 paid for Don’t Stop Dreaming’s full brother.
The Duchess is back
Reigning 3YO pacing Filly of the Year Duchess Megxit will open her 2025 campaign year when she returns in the Warren Mathieson 60th Birthday Celebration Mobile Pace (7.38pm) at Alexandra Park on Friday. The multiple Group 1 winning daughter of Sweet Lou finished last year on a high and has now won 12 from 18 lifetime starts. Among her targets this year will be the $1m The Race by betcha on Cambridge’s Night of Champions on April 4.
More wins for Empire City and Captains Mistress
The Williamson family has been all over the Otago and Southland Harness racing awards held over the weekend. After four wins in 2024, the multiple Group-winning Empire City took out Otago Horse of the Year for owners Peter and Janet Argus. Trained by Phil Williamson, Empire City was also second in the Group 1 New Zealand Trotting Derby. Son Matthew Williamson was named trainer and driver of the year in Otago as was his brother Nathan Williamson in Southland. His star two-year-old Captains Mistress was also named Southland Horse of the Year after winning four races in 2024, including the Group 1 Sires’ Stakes Fillies Championship.
OnTrack looking for champions
Racing’s mental well being and suicide prevention programme, OnTrack, is holding its next Champions course in Christchurch on March 27. The Champions is programme is designed to empower and educate those in the racing industry to support mental well-being in their communities. Anyone interested in becoming a Champion should contact james@ontrack.org.nz For more information click here
Aussies – no surprises
It will come as a surprise to no-one but dual New Zealand Cup Swayzee has been named 2024 New South Wales Horse of the year. He had seven wins in 10 starts during the year with earnings just under $1m. His regular pilot Cameron Hart was named Driver of the Year. Swayzee will next line up in Saturday’s Miracle Mile in Sydney after another dominant win in the qualifying heats at Menangle last weekend.
551 starts and still not finished
The legend that is Lancelot Bromac is back in work. The 14-year-old was “retired” after running ninth at Albion Park in Brisbane in October. He had had a record 551 starts with 34 victories. Now he will return to the racetrack. “You put him in the paddock and all he wanted to do was walk up and down the fences, he would run amuck,” says trainer and part-owner Stewart Dickson.
Club News : Addington
Addington Raceway will be hosting its annual Owners Night on Friday, March 28. The function starts at 5pm. For more information click here
Club News : Northern Southland
The Northern Southland Trotting Club hold their final meeting of the 2024/2025 season at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill this Saturday (8 March). Top quality harness racing is the order of the day with several feature races on the programme including the $40,000 Group 3 Caduceus Club Of Southland/Alabar Fillies Classic, the Night n Day/Tip Top Ice Cream Autumn Cup, the Mark Jones Racing Stables/Gordon Sutherland Memorial Handicap Trot, the second heat of the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes and the Ascot Four Square Stella Frost Stakes. .
Admission at the gate is free while the club offers a great day of value with their $50 Gold Card which allows access to the Top Of The Park with superb viewing plus food and beverage throughout the day. The first race is timed to start at 12.20pm and owners are welcome in the Alabar Owners Room on the first floor of the main grandstand where they can enjoy hospitality throughout the day. Kidz Kartz will be on track with a race early on the day as well. Head to the Northern Southland Trotting Club facebook page for more information on a great day of action.
