On Saturday at the Riverton harness racing meeting, the Aparima Trot field was lead out by 30 year old gelding Diamond Field.

He won 33 races and $536,607 in stakes. Amongst his wins were the 1994 Rowe Cup, 1994 Interdominion Trotting Championship and a number of Free For All trots.

He was presented at the races by his first trainer Allan Beck and Michelle Blackie – daughter of Bob Blackie who was part of the Southland Standardbred Number Two Syndicate that raced the Yankee Jolter gelding. 

The Neil Munro trained Jayceekay easily won the Neville Cleaver Fishing Aparima Handicap Trot in the hands of Blair Orange.

Jayceekay winning in the hands of Blair Orange                Photo by Bruce Stewart

The seven year old Monkey Bones mare who last won at Addington in December 2014 took the lead with a lap to run before handing up to De Vito.

Orange sent her off down the middle of the track at the home turn and she sprinted too well for a game De Vito winning by two and a half lengths.

The race time of 3-29.2 was a new race record. The previous record was held by The Fiery Ginga which trotted 3-30.0 when winning in 2012.

Jayceekay returning to the birdcage after winning                  Photo by Bruce Stewart

It was the second time Munro has won this race. He also won it back in 2005 with Ado's Angel which was driven by Billy Heads.

The run of the race came from the runner up De Vito. Having his first start of the season he was posted three wide for half a lap and battled home nicely for second.

Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing