Bits N Bridles

New Zealand bred gelding Havtimemajor (Art Major) takes his place in the $500,000 Group One Benstud Protostar at Albion Park on Saturday.

Now trained by Chantel Turpin, the two year old impressively won his Australian debut at Albion Park recently by 43 metres, running the 1660 metres in 1-59.3 – a mile rate of 1-55.6.

Havtimemajor was bred by Southlander Murray Little of Havtime Breeding and is out of his unraced American Ideal mare Musthavtime.

Before heading to Australia, Havtimemajor made two public appearances for Ryal Bush trainer Brett Gray, winning a workout before qualifying at Young Quinn Raceway in 2-01.0 over 1609 metres.

He was subsequently sold to Ross Patrick and entrusted to the Turpin stable.

Ten win pacer The Big Lebowski (Mach Three) will do his future racing in Australia.

The nine year old was bred by Robin Swain who won five races with him before he headed to Ray Green’s Pukekohe barn where he won a further three, including the 2024 TAB Junior FFA. The gelding then headed south again and Brett Gray won the Riverton and Waikouaiti Cups with him.

Tomogalak (Bettor’s Delight) the second foal out of quality mare Bridesdale Robyn, qualified last week at Rangiora for Steven Reid.

Bred by Judy Dillion Bridesdale Robyn won seven races for Gore trainers Ross and Chris Wilson and ran in the 2019 Four Year Old Diamond at Addington.

Reid purchased Tomogalak at the 2024 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales for $60,000 and syndicated the gelding. Dillion has retained a share in the horse.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink