Southern Snippets

Republican Party’s (Bettor’s Delight) win in the Group One Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup on Friday was Winton harness racing breeders John and Katrina Price’s second Group One winner.

Their first was with Republican Party, the mother of Democrat Party ten years ago in the Alabar Sires’ Stakes Three Year Old Fillies Championship Final at Alexandra Park.

The couple along with John’s parents Roger and Helen Price bred $2.4 million earner Chicago Bull who won five Group One races in Australia.

John and Katrina are offering a full brother to Republican Party named Tour Party, (Lot 312) at the Christchurch Yearling sales in February.

The Invercargill Cup meeting on Friday drew a very good crowd and the tote numbers are a reflection.

The total turnover on the twelve races was $1,374,435 while on course the tote handled $94,253 which is up on last year’s total of $79,453 when eleven races were held.

The Club were in a very competitive space with Matamata Gallops, Greyhounds and Auckland Trotting Club all racing at some point during the Invercargill programme.

Branxholme harness racing trainer Alister Black produced some fresh faces at the Winton trials on Thursday.

Train Station (Bettor’s Delight) impressed when winning in 3-03.4, running his last 800 metres in 56.9.

He’s the first foal out of Amore Lancome which won four races – two for Bob Butt and two for Kirstin Green and Tank Ellis.

Train Station was purchased at the 2023 NZB Standardbred Sales for $75,000.

Black’s other two runners, South Beach (Downbytheseaside-Chilli Franco) and The Real Crunch, (Captain Crunch-Karen Donna) ran second and third, also gaining their qualifying ticket.

In the only other qualifying heat of the day Black qualified two year old trotter Donttellarty (Love You-Hot Vacation). He’s a half-brother to four wins trotter Mavis Jones.

Southern Bred Southern Reared has 62 yearlings entered in February’s NZB Standardbred Yearling Sale in Christchurch.

Shard Farm with twelve are the biggest vendors. The White Stable will offer ten and Macca Lodge nine.

Prospective buyers will have the opportunity to run their eyes over southern stock at the annual SBSR Yearling Tour on Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th February.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink