Bits and Bridles

In winning the Trillian Trust Auckland Cup, Republican Party (Bettor’s Delight) has become the second harness racing horse to win the Invercargill – Auckland Cup double. The other was Burlington Bertie.

Bred by John and Katrina Price, Republican Party adds to the long list of success Southland bred pacers have had in the race. Amazing Dream (2020), Themightyquinn (2011 and 2013), Holmes DG (2001), Happy Asset (1999), Comedy Lad (1986), Sapling (1979) Young Quinn (1974), Stella Frost (1970), Robin Dundee (1965) and Cardigan Bay (1961 and 1963) all won the Auckland feature and were bred in the south.

All three placegetters in the Auckland Cup have brothers or half-brothers for sale at next month’s NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales in Christchurch.

Republican Party has a full-brother (Lot 312), Merlin a half-brother by Captaintreacherous (Lot 134) and Sooner The Bettor a full-brother (Lot 159).

Former Southland junior driver Tristan Larsen will drive in his first Group One race at Bendigo Australia on Saturday night.

The twenty one year old who works for Brent Lilley will drive stable runner Alderbaran Zeus in the G1 Alderbaran Park Māori Mile.

Larsen was successful at the Echuca meeting last night. He drove the former Lindsay Veint trained Johns Boy (Simon Roydon) to win the Echuca Trotters Cup.

Johns Boy which won four races and was placed a further nineteen times for his Southland trainer, is now trained by Lilley. The seven year old was having his first start in Australia.

The first progeny of superstar pacer Bulldog Hanover (Shadow Play) have been born in this country.

The stallion is the fastest standardbred ever, running a mile in 1-45.4 when winning the William Haughton Memorial at The Meadowlands in the hands of Dexter Dunn.

Although he won races at two and three, he came into his own as a four year old. From 16 starts he won 14 and $1,858,210. He’s a Breeders Crown Champion and won $2.7 million.

Bulldog Hanover’s oldest progeny in America are rising two year olds whilst he has eleven unregistered foals in this country.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink