Bits N Bridles

For the first time in its twenty three year history the New Zealand Trotting Oaks will be run over 2600 metres from the mobile.

Up until this year’s edition it’s been held over either 1950 or 1980 metres, so inevitably the winner of Friday night’s race will establish a new race record.

The New Zealand record for three year old trotting fillies over 2600 metres of 3-13.5 was set by Habibti at Addington in 2013.

Our Col, Duchess Maria. Imperious Girl, Raffle Jay and Becky’s Girl look likely to fight out the finish.

Rakero Rocket (Rock N Roll Heaven) is back in New Zealand.

After winning nine races for Tom Bamford including the Group One Christian Cullen, the gelding was shipped over to Australia where he raced in the care of Jason Grimson.

From just eight starts for Grimson he won two races and was placed a further three times. When he won the Club Menangle FFA in January he recorded a lifetime best mile time of 1-47.3.

He’s now in Steven Reid’s barn and could be a surprise entry in Friday’s NZ Pacing FFA on Show Day.

Quality three year old Cruise Maguire (Always B Miki) trained by Alister Black returned to winning form at Kaikoura on Monday.

The gelding was out of sorts at Addington with what connections believe was travel sickness but at Kaikoura he bounced back by leading all the way and was too good in the hands of Brad Williamson.

“He’s a horse with a lot of ability. Fresh up he was incredibly good (setting a new track and Southland record). He had a big trip up to Canterbury, it was the first time he’d had a trip like that and his bloods were out,” Williamson said.

Cruise Maguire won easily by two lengths at Kaikoura.

“He’s a horse that when he’s right he’s pretty hard to catch.”

A start in the New Zealand Derby on 20^th November could be a possibility for Cruise Maguire.

The first foal of Amazing Dream (Bettor’s Delight) was auctioned at the Standardbred Horse Sales Company Mixed Sale at Harrisburg this week.

Kountry Ace by Bulldog Hanover was sold on behalf of Kountry Lane Standardbreds for $75,000.

Amazing Dream won thirty races across New Zealand, Australia and North America and earned $1.5 million. Bred by Invercargill horseman Vin Devery the filly was sold to Jean Feiss at the 2018 Sale of the Stars in Christchurch.

She was trained for most of her career by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmusssen.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink