SBSR gets seven at Addington

The Southern Bred Southern Reared brand was to the fore at Addington tonight with the region delivering seven wins on the Premier night.

Although she’s small in stature I’m The Boss (Bettor’s Delight) showed plenty of the traits of her sire, including toughness and a will to win.

In tonight’s $150,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Two Year Old Fillies Mobile Pace, driver Blair Orange surged I’m The Boss out of the gate before handing up to the Carter Dalgety driven Suva Baby. Orange let the dust settle before taking up the running.

“It was a small field and they’re always a bit tactical. I opted to hand up to Carter because I didn’t want to go to war. She’s a funny girl in front – very casual, but when one comes alongside of her she hears them and races them which is a great trait. I had the plugs out 1000 out to get her to concentrate, but what a bonnie wee girl,” Orange said.

I’M THE BOSS REPLAY

At the line I’m The Boss was a length and a quarter in front of Beware The Storm, with Suva Baby coming in at third.

I’m The Boss trained by Hayden and Amanda Cullen was bred by Southlander Katie Williamson and her parents Ross and Robyn Jones and was prepared for the 2025 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales in Christchurch by John and Katrina Price (SBSR). She was sold to Cullen Racing for $70,000.

I’m The Boss’s grandmother One Dream, was also a very good two year old, winning four of her five races at that age. I’m The Boss has exactly the same record.

I’m The Boss will likely be aimed at Sires’ Stakes heats – the first of which will be held at Ashburton on Kings Birthday Weekend with the $200,000 final at Addington on Show Day.

Southerner Utah Jazz (Bettor’s Delight) capitalized on a perfect trip and held out favourite Princess Gracy driven by Zachary Butcher to win tonight’s $50,000 NZB Standardbred Southern Mares Classic.

“Zach got to me with fifty to go, but to this girl’s credit she stuck her head out near the line. I expected her to probably benefit from the run but we got a nice economical trip from her draw and she was good enough to do it,” trainer driver Nathan Williamson said.

At the line Utah Jazz had half a head to share over Princess Gracy.

Both Utah Jazz and Princess Gracy are expected to head to the $60,000 Ladies Sprint at Ashburton before heading to Addington on Show Day for the $75,000 Adore Me.

The win capped off a marvellous night for Southern bred and trained horses.

Early in the programme Always B Batman (Always B Miki) got the ball rolling while the Tony Stratford trained Captain Wolf (Captain Crunch) in the hands of Mark Hurrell was huge in winning his Addington debut. Imperious Girl (Imperial Count) trained and driven by Craig Ferguson got her New Zealand Oaks campaign back on track with a dominant run in her race.

Jumal (Downbytheseaside) won the Flying Stakes and Tour Party (Bettor’s Delight) capped off the night with a win in the NZB Standardbred Harness Million for Two Year Old Colts and Geldings.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink