Bits and Bridles

The wins on both sides of the Tasman by Captains Mistress (Captaintreacherous) and Durrant (Art Major) further enhance the outstanding record of their dam Imaginary Bet.

Owned by Central Southland couple Todd and Fleur Anderson, the Bettor’s Delight mare has now left winners of 61 races and just over $3 million in stakes.

Her top three earners are; Merlin $1,838,814, Captains Mistress $908,677 and Durrant $128,045.

The mare’s latest, is a Captaintreacherous yearling colt.

All of Imaginary Bet’s filly foals have been sold. The Andersons will no doubt be hopeful her next foal is a filly so that her legacy can continue.

Imperious Girl (Imperial Count) had a track record breaking run at Winton last weekend and Our Col (Father Patrick) an impressive win in the Northern Trotting Oaks at Alexandra Park on Friday. They have set the stage for a mouthwatering season ahead for three year old trotting fillies.

Add into the mix the unbeaten and top seed Duchess Maria (Father Patrick) as well as Petite Armour, (What The Hill) and we can expect races like the Macca Lodge Sires’ Stakes Three Year Old Trotting Fillies Classique in September, The Southern Trotting Oaks in October and the New Zealand Trotting Oaks in November to be exciting contests.

When Hayley Jaccka (Always B Miki) won at Ascot Park on May 17^th her time of 3-20.8 for mares over 2700 metres from the stand, was a new New Zealand record.

The previous record of 3-20.9 was set by Lancome at Cambridge fifteen years ago.

Four well preformed horses have recently been sold to America. They are the Arna Donnelly trained Jolimont (Sweet Lou) who’s won eleven races including the Group 3 Founders Cup, Lavra Rose (Bettor’s Delight) which won five of her seventeen starts for Derek and Adele Jones, Johnny Who (What The Hill) the winner of ten races for Stephen Doody and six win mare Blue Chip Lou (Sweet Lou) which was also trained by Doody.

The Group Three Helen Pope Memorial for two year old fillies is the only feature race being held at the Ashburton Trotting Club meeting this weekend and this will be the fifth running of the filly’s feature. Previous winners have been Millwood Nike, Raklou, Gone Surfin and The Queens Gambit.

Gone Surfin’s winning time of 2-02.0 is the current race record.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink