Calder could be world class - romps home for track record and six wins on trot "He is the best I've driven - he has gears," - Leigh Sutton
Blitzthemcalder (Leigh Sutton) romps to victory in his Tatlow 2yo Trot heat at Bendigo - photo by Geoff Durn
24 May 2012 - Two-year-old trotter Blitzthemcalder could be world class according to international driver Luke McCarthy who has partnered the rising star at three of his victories.
Trainer Ross Payne was beaming after his juvenile trotting star shaved 2.5 seconds off the 2yo Trot track record tonight at Bendigo winning the first heat of the Tatlow Stakes with ease. The 35.8 metre romp was Blitzthemcalder’s sixth consecutive win and the second record in his short career. His winning time was 2:42.4 (2:01.6 MR). Two runs back he also set an Australasian record at Menangle with a 1:59.6 mile. At Bendigo, Blitzthemcalder was driven Leigh Sutton who has now also won three races on the ‘black flash’. The $1.10 favourite for the heat, Blitzthemcalder worked his way to the front early then jogged through the early sectionals before being revved up at the half mile. When extended for the last quarter, Blitzthemcalder trotted home in 28.5s. “He is the best I have driven, he has got gears,” Sutton said. Payne said that Luke McCarthy has already compared this horse to Muscle Hill (the trotter he steered to win the World Trotting Derby at at the Illinois State Fair in DuQuoin in 2009). “He reckons you won’t see the best of this horse until you can get one to go with him and test him,” Payne said. Perfectly balanced Blitzthemcalder does his work so easily. “You could balance a cup of coffee on his back,” Payne said. A son of pacing sire Metropolitan from the trotting line that produced Maoris Idol, Blitzthemcalder,bred and raced by Calder Park’s Rick Burchell, will start a short priced favourite for the 2yo Tatlow Trot Final, a Group 2 race with as $30,000 stake at Tabcorp Park next Friday night. The second of the Tatlow heats for 2yo trotters was won by the Maiden Gully trained Bellmac Cody. Trained by David Van Ryn and driven by Haydon Gray, Bellmac Cody, a gelding by Barcardi Lindy won his race by 8.4 metres. His time was 2:44.6 (2:03.2) which was also faster than Gluteus Maximus’ 2007 former record mark. -David Aldred
Trainer Ross Payne was beaming after his juvenile trotting star shaved 2.5 seconds off the 2yo Trot track record tonight at Bendigo winning the first heat of the Tatlow Stakes with ease. The 35.8 metre romp was Blitzthemcalder’s sixth consecutive win and the second record in his short career. His winning time was 2:42.4 (2:01.6 MR). Two runs back he also set an Australasian record at Menangle with a 1:59.6 mile. At Bendigo, Blitzthemcalder was driven Leigh Sutton who has now also won three races on the ‘black flash’. The $1.10 favourite for the heat, Blitzthemcalder worked his way to the front early then jogged through the early sectionals before being revved up at the half mile. When extended for the last quarter, Blitzthemcalder trotted home in 28.5s. “He is the best I have driven, he has got gears,” Sutton said. Payne said that Luke McCarthy has already compared this horse to Muscle Hill (the trotter he steered to win the World Trotting Derby at at the Illinois State Fair in DuQuoin in 2009). “He reckons you won’t see the best of this horse until you can get one to go with him and test him,” Payne said. Perfectly balanced Blitzthemcalder does his work so easily. “You could balance a cup of coffee on his back,” Payne said. A son of pacing sire Metropolitan from the trotting line that produced Maoris Idol, Blitzthemcalder,bred and raced by Calder Park’s Rick Burchell, will start a short priced favourite for the 2yo Tatlow Trot Final, a Group 2 race with as $30,000 stake at Tabcorp Park next Friday night. The second of the Tatlow heats for 2yo trotters was won by the Maiden Gully trained Bellmac Cody. Trained by David Van Ryn and driven by Haydon Gray, Bellmac Cody, a gelding by Barcardi Lindy won his race by 8.4 metres. His time was 2:44.6 (2:03.2) which was also faster than Gluteus Maximus’ 2007 former record mark. -David Aldred
Loddon Valley Stud's exciting stallion Art Colony dies
Art Colony died of a heart condition last week
17 May 2012 - Loddon Valley Stud’s John Campbell has sadly confirmed the passing of dual hemisphere stallion Art Colony which has stood at his stud for the past two seasons at Lockwood in Central Victoria.
The winner of $863,750 and a brilliant 1:51 mile rate performer at two years, Art Colony died at Winbak Farm Stud in Ontario, Canada last week. Owned by Englishman Tom Hill, Art Colony has his first Australian and Canadian crops on the ground and the six-year-old stallion was in the middle of his second North American breeding season when he died of a heart condition. Campbell said that Art Colony’s demise was a huge blow to Australian breeding as the son of Artsplace was an exciting young stallion that had outstanding confirmation and pedigree on top of a brilliant race record. “He certainly had both the pedigree and race record to make him a successful stallion and his first foals look brilliant and were born right here.” A half brother to Triple Bars ($524,567) and Where The Heart Is ($214,654) both 1:50 performers Art Colony raced in North America for Canadian trainer Casie Coleman who described the horse she purchased for $US157,000 as a “jaw dropper”. “He was a gorgeous animal, good size, and perfect flawless gate,” Coleman said. The stallion was noted for his speed and determination as a racehorse. At two, he won the Governors Cup elimination and took second in a Breeders Crown elimination, Breeders Crown final, and Governors Cup final. At three, he took second in the Burlington Stakes division, Meadowlands Pace elimination, and North America Cup elimination and final. The loss has left Loddon Valley Stud without a “number one” stallion for the coming season. “He was supposed to be returning for the next two seasons and would have arrived back in Victoria in late August to serve a third book of mares, now we are at a loss to replace him,” Campbell said. “His first lot of babies are looking phenomenal. Breeders including ourselves were hoping to breed mares back to him. Stallions like Art Colony don’t come along every day.” Art Colony has over 50 plus foals as a result of his first Australian season and a further 100 foals from his first Canadian season at stud. “He is a big loss all round, we need young stallions and we would have loved to give him four years here to really find out if he was going to be exciting,” Campbell said. John and Kay Campbell have four other stallions, Union Guy, Sports Town Denver Gift and Conch Deville standing at Loddon Valley. - David Aldred
The winner of $863,750 and a brilliant 1:51 mile rate performer at two years, Art Colony died at Winbak Farm Stud in Ontario, Canada last week. Owned by Englishman Tom Hill, Art Colony has his first Australian and Canadian crops on the ground and the six-year-old stallion was in the middle of his second North American breeding season when he died of a heart condition. Campbell said that Art Colony’s demise was a huge blow to Australian breeding as the son of Artsplace was an exciting young stallion that had outstanding confirmation and pedigree on top of a brilliant race record. “He certainly had both the pedigree and race record to make him a successful stallion and his first foals look brilliant and were born right here.” A half brother to Triple Bars ($524,567) and Where The Heart Is ($214,654) both 1:50 performers Art Colony raced in North America for Canadian trainer Casie Coleman who described the horse she purchased for $US157,000 as a “jaw dropper”. “He was a gorgeous animal, good size, and perfect flawless gate,” Coleman said. The stallion was noted for his speed and determination as a racehorse. At two, he won the Governors Cup elimination and took second in a Breeders Crown elimination, Breeders Crown final, and Governors Cup final. At three, he took second in the Burlington Stakes division, Meadowlands Pace elimination, and North America Cup elimination and final. The loss has left Loddon Valley Stud without a “number one” stallion for the coming season. “He was supposed to be returning for the next two seasons and would have arrived back in Victoria in late August to serve a third book of mares, now we are at a loss to replace him,” Campbell said. “His first lot of babies are looking phenomenal. Breeders including ourselves were hoping to breed mares back to him. Stallions like Art Colony don’t come along every day.” Art Colony has over 50 plus foals as a result of his first Australian season and a further 100 foals from his first Canadian season at stud. “He is a big loss all round, we need young stallions and we would have loved to give him four years here to really find out if he was going to be exciting,” Campbell said. John and Kay Campbell have four other stallions, Union Guy, Sports Town Denver Gift and Conch Deville standing at Loddon Valley. - David Aldred
Vicbred double completes a Bendigo hat-trick for trainer Emma Stewart
14 May 2012 - Emma Stewart stole the limelight at Bendigo’s Lord’s Raceway last Saturday night training three winners including an Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series 3yo race double. Stewart trained filly Shake It Mama and her colt Philadelphia Man both started very short-priced favourites and won accordingly. In the $10,000 Fillies Heat, Mach Three filly Shake It Mama found the lead and led her opponents a merry chase pacing home a 56.7 final half mile to stroll in by 11.5 metres. Nats Survival (Lisa Miles) and Rubeelee (John Caldow) rounded out the top three. Philadelphia Man’s win in the $10,000 Colts & Geldings Heat was just as impressive. The son of Art Major went un-headed to score his tenth career win by three metres covering the last half mile in a swift 56.1 seconds. Kickittochris (Kerryn Manning) and Charlie Machsheen (Geoff Webster) completed the placings. The two Vicbred victories completed a race by race hat-trick for Smythes Creek trainer Stewart who also prepared her nine-year-old gelding Mickey Mac to win the Ace Laboratories Trophy. In the other Vicbred 3yo Heats Metro Mike came with a three wide late dash to win his $10,000 Colts & Geldings heat. Trained at Lockwood by Tony Dillon, the local pacer was driven to victory by Mark Hayes. In a three way photo finish Metro Mike arrived in time to beat Night Affair (Kerryn Manning) by a half head with Daylight Dan (Daryl Douglas) just a half neck away in third place. Metro Mike was the $4.60 second favourite. Locally owned filly Real Bonus won her $10,000 Vicbred Heat in tradesman-like style. Working hard in the run, the David Aiken trained Real Bonus (Nathan Jack) proved too strong for Dobop (Leigh Sutton) and won by 4.6 metres. Light In Every Day (Kate Gath) was close up in third place. The Empire Stallion Vicbred finals for three-year-olds will be raced on Friday 1 June at Tabcorp Park, Melton. The $6.3 Million Vicbred Program is the richest racing and breeding incentive program in Australasia. In 2011/12 the massive prize money purse is distributed in Vicbred race stakes money plus Vicbred Win Bonuses and Vicbred Breeder Bonuses. The Vicbred Program incorporate s four elements: Win Bonuses totalling $2.5 Million; Super Series totalling $1.8 Million; Vicbred Only races totaling $1 Million; Breeder Bonuses totaling $1 Million.
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All is Rosy with another win for School Student Lauren Daffy with Auzzie Rose
16 May 2012 - Six-year-old mare Auzzie Rose continued the success for Bendigo’s Harness Racing Industry Training Centre with her first win in over a year on Tuesday night at Echuca. The H.R.I.T.C. Board of Management race the Conch Deville mare which was bred by the Board chairman, Steve Warren. Trained by Roma Pocock and driven by champion Bendigo reinsman Darryl Douglas, Auzzie Rose, came from a 10 metre handicap in the 2530 metre Choice Hotels T0 Trotters Handicap and got home by a half neck over 60 metre backmarker Cameos Moment with Abbotshall (30m) close up in third place. “Daryl (Douglas) just let her bowl along in front and in her right class she was able to go her own speed, and she hung on,” Pocock said. Auzzie Rose’s front running victory follows hot on the heels of stable mate Village Patrol’s win earlier this month at Cobram. Pocock said the harness racing trainees attending the Bendigo H.R.I.T.C get very excited when the horses race and do well in their races. “Only a couple of the students were there last night because some on them had the flu and couldn’t make it but the ones there were jumping up and down and got very excited,” she said. The students put a lot of work into the training centre team of trotters and pacers, working and caring for the horses under the watchful eye of trainer Pocock, day in and day out. Pocock said that the students including current reinsman Clinton McSwain are learning everything there is to learn about harness racing, Pocock said. “Driving, training and feeding the horse, the horse care skills, they learn everything. When the horses win it just makes it that little bit easier for them all to front up for ‘work’ early each day. They are all keen to learn we have a very enthusiastic class this year with some real talent there as well,” Pocock said. - David Aldred
Town plays tough to win Manton Trot Town player - Tina Ridis
4 May 2012 - Four-year-old Classic Adam mare Town Player, raced, trained and driven by Sebastopol's Tina Ridis took out Thursday night's Ted Manton Memorial Trot at Bendigo. Sponsored by the Manton family the Trot was the fifth running of the memorial event. Ted Manton's son Darren and his wife Debbie and their children including their son Ashley who drove the family horse Prettyboy Mitch in the race were on hand to present the trophy to the winning connections. Having just her third start back from a spell, Town Player came from a 20 metre handicap in the standing start event and raced parked for the entire 2150 metres but hung tough to beat Pepperell Rose (Greg Sugars) by 1.3 metres with Kingofthedesert (Ashley Warton) in third place 5.5 metres from the winner. It was Town Player's second victory this season. The 7yo mare bred by John Campbell has now raced 34 times for 11 wins. - David Aldred
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Bettors Delight double in Empire Stallions Vicbred 4yo heats at Bendigo Trainer Jayne Davies (above) had success with Suave Stuey Lombo
4 May 2012 - Bendigo played host to two heats of the Empire Stallions Vicbred 4 year-old Entires & Geldings Series on Thursday night which saw Suave Stuey Lombo successful in Heat five and Abettorpunt scoring in Heat six. Suave Stuey Lombo (Bettors Delight/Magic Maddy Lombo) bred and raced by Mick Lombardo under the banner of Lombo Standardbreds Pty Ltd, was superb in his victory after being caught in the open from gate three, then being shuffled to be three back in the moving line, with the pole marker Farmersntradies leading. Set alight racing for the bell, Suave Stuey Lombo trained by Jayne Davies parked outside Farmersntradies for the final circuit, outstaying the second elect to register a 4 metre victory in 1-58.5 (last half 57.5 – quarter 29.1) over Sword And Pistol which trailed the leader using the sprint lane on turning, with Farmersntradies a disappointing third. Quality gelding Abettorpunt (Bettors Delight/Frosty Mattina) coming off a heat victory and final third in the recent Mildura Pacing Cup, was surprisingly crossed by the roughie Because I Can (gate six) as the start was effected, with reinsman Caleb Lewis immediately moving around him to take control. Although being kept honest by a hard pulling Island Rhumba, Abettorpunt had nothing more than “a stroll in the park” before cruising to a 6.7 metre victory in 1-58.3 over Because I Can which ran the race of his life after moving to the outside on turning, with Pinevale Willpower using the sprint lane for third 2.7 metres away.
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Duggan wins Drivers Challenge Les Chapman (Maryborough),Josh Duggan and David Aldred (Bendigo)
20 April 2012 - Victorian-based Tassie driver Josh Duggan completed a winning double at Bendigo on Thursday night to take out the 2012 Goulburn Valley & Central Victoria Under 23 Drivers Challenge.
Duggan scored 65 points at the three race meeting series held during this week at Maryborough, Shepparton and Bendigo to win the trophy, three points clear of Australasian Young Drivers Champion Ellen Tormey. Duggan was in sparkling form at Bendigo, winning the first of the two young driver races on Heathcote trained long shot Statelyness ($15.40). Statelyness showed good gate speed and led throughout to hold out Aristotleonassis (Matt Rue) and Rosenlea (Ellen Tormey) in a tight three way photo-finish. The Challenge then came down to the final race of the series with only one point separating the Challenge front runner Tormey and Duggan. The two title chasers looked set to go to the post locked together in the decider with Duggan piloting the $2.70 favourite Henry Ducket and Tormey on Andy Miller ($4.90). Duggan's drive went strongly to the line while Tormey's Andy Miller broke stride under pressure. Duggan took the sprint lane home on Henry Ducket after tracking the leader and scored by 4.9 metres over Andy Miller but stewards later relegated Andy Miller to third, due to the gelding gaining an unfair advantage while galloping. Gordons Ville (Rhys Nicholson) was promoted to second place. Henry Duckets win gave Duggan a three point winning margin over Tormey at the end of the competition which attracted invited talent from Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. - David Aldred |
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U'23 Driver Points Tally1 Joshua Duggan 65
2 Ellen Tormey 62 3 Jake Webster 53 |
4 Blake Jones 52 5 Rhys Nicholson 49 6 Haydon Gray 48 7 Jayson Finnis 45 * |
7 Rebecca Bartley 45 * 9 Matt Rue 43 10 Pete McMullen 41 * 10 Bob Butt 41 * |
Calder to blitz at Bendigo22 May 2012 - With five wins in a row, 2yo trotter Blitzthemcalder looks like he is well and truly on a highway to success.
On Thursday night Lara trainer Ross Payne will make his way up the Calder Highway to start his juvenile star in the first heat of the Tatlow Stakes at Bendigo’s Lord’s Raceway. The striking black colt is no stranger to travel, winning his last four races in New South Wales, three at Tabcorp Park, Menangle and one at Coolamon. READ FULL STORY HRITC celebrate win3 May 2012 - Bendigo Harness Racing Training Centre's team celebrated a victory with stable favourite Village Patrol in today's Barooga Lions Club Pace Final at Cobram. READ FULL STORY
Len Baker's Sulky Snippets30 April 2012 - Len Baker covers the stories around the Country racetracks for the week.
READ LEN BAKER'S COLUMN Deal wins NSW Anzac Trot26 April 2012 - Victoria's new trotting star Dealornodeal has won the Harness Breeders NSW La Coocaracha (Gr3) at Coolamon on Anzac Day. The Chris Lang trained five-year-old mare won the feature trot on the all trotting program by a short half head. READ FULL STORY
Heza Trick
Cup hat-trick to Douglas star15 April 2012 - Former New Zealander Heza Trick completed a hat-trick of 2012 feature Aussie Cup victories claiming the coveted $50,000 Mildura Pacing Cup on Saturday night.
The Badlands Hanover gelding started the New Year sensationally, winning the Tasmania Cup in Hobart on 1 January, then again showed his brilliance beating Group 1 winner Choise Achiever in the Geelong Cup, six weeks later. READ THE FULL STORY Cup win to Bendigo Trotter13 April 2012 - Bendigo-trained trotter Si Capisco scored a dominant 45 metre win in this week's Mildura Trotters Cup. The Alan McIntosh trained Sundon gelding was driven by Bendigo ace Daryl Douglas and led his opponents a merry chase. READ THE FULL STORY
Girls on parade9 April 2012 - Girls Go Racing participated in their first official events during the Easter weekend in Bendigo. STORY & INFO
Douglas/Anderson win Warragul Cup9 April 2012 - Daryl Douglas steered Jukebox Music to victory in Sunday's Warragul Pacing Cup. Trained by Glenn Douglas and raced by Eric Anderson, Jukebox Music defeated Mister Douglas and Life Inthefastlane. CUP STORY
Harness racing leads Bendigo Parade8 April 2012 - Addy the Race for Fun Club charity filly led the way for harness racing in Bendigo on Easter Sunday when she took pride of place at the head of the annual Gala Parade through the City's main streets. FULL STORY
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Courage goes quick in APG Heat8 April 2012 - Star 2yo filly Courageousnquick left no doubt in anyones mind that she is Victoria's best after a walk in the park victory in Saturday night's Australian Pacing Gold Heat at Bendigo's Lord's Raceway.
Raced by a syndicate headed up by harness racing veteran media man Neale Donnelley, Courageousnquick led from start to finish to win the 1650 metre scamper by almost 4 metres in a 1:59.1 mile rate. The little daughter of Courage Under Fire from the Brent Lilley stable, gave driver Rodney Petroff an armchair ride. "We're all really excited about this filly," said Donnelley who selected and purchased Courageousnquick at the APG sale. "She just does everything right and does it so easy, she is good." For some of the 10 member syndicate, Courageousnquick is their first horse. "I told those owners that horses like her don't come along all that often, I can tell you they are enjoying the ride." Slice Of Life, a first starter for Lisa and David Miles was runner up to the $1.10 red hot favourite. Her run was super. Other APG heat winners last night included Married To The Mob (Greg Sugars) which won in 1:58.8 MR, Musical Delight (Nathan Jack 2:00.3) and the Ballarat Trotting Club Group's Bit Of A Babe (Emmet Brosnan 1:59.1). RELATED STORY 24yr old mare Wide Glide dies2 April 2012 - The end of a wonderful era came recently with the passing of Horsham/Marong owned broodmare Wide Glide. FULL STORY
High Court dismisses bookie appeal30 March 2012 - The harness racing industry is rejoicing following the announcement by the Australian High Court to dismiss the appeals by both Sportsbet and Betfair in New South Wales this morning. FULL STORY
Tayla is a future fashionista31 March 2012 - Inglewood teenager Tayla Simpson again stepped into the spotlight, winning the Future Fashionista fashion contest at Tabcorp Park recently. FULL STORY
Mighty Bendigo mare awesome24 March 2012 - Bendigo's Make Mine Cullen was awesome at last night's Tabcorp Park meeting notching her 33rd career victory in a slashing mile rate of 1:55.9, easily the fastest of the night. FULL STORY
Yucatchim wins the Boort Cup
Oldstager stars in the Boort Cup19 March 2012 - Manangatang pacer Yucatchim ended a 12 month losing streak to claim the Loddon Valley Stud Boort Pacing Cup on Sunday. FULL STORY
Noonan and Trapper inspirational17 March 2012 - In combination with his top trotter Will Trapper, John Noonan has won a Bendigo Sports Star award for inspiration. - FULL STORY
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 Addy goes for Gold BFC's Graham Pratt and Brad Collins get to know Addy
1 April 2012 - Bendigo's charity filly Addy has just got a whole lot more fans. Addy (Spirit Of Bendigo) will lead this weekend's Bendigo Easter Parade. Race for Fun Club All the Girls on Fire Time Trial results Prettylilangeleyes - Daryl Douglas
 WBHO winning HoovesBruce Dalton's locally produced Worlds Best Hoof Oil have been big supporters of harness racing for many years and now their product will be given out as a bonus to winners at Lords Raceway. Each winning trainer of every race over the next six months will get a Worlds Best Hoof Oil product pack and there will be major Prize Packs of a Rug, Lead and Worlds Best Hoof Oil product on the sponsors named races. Worlds Best Hoof Oil is based at Longlea, just past the Lords Raceway. VIEW WEBSITE
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