Otago Harness Racing Awards celebrated

Bruce Stewart Journalist

The Otago region honoured horses and harness racing people last night at their annual Harness Racing Awards Evening.  

The premium Horse Of The Year title was won by Princess Sadie while the Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing Award was presented to Otago vet Peter Gillespie.

Other award winners =mt were:

Two Year Pacing Colt or Gelding 

Capital Jay

Trainer: Amber Hoffman

Owners: B J Anderton ONZM, Est B P Kennedy

Two Year Old Pacing Filly

Seeking Clarity

Trainer: Matthew Williamson

Owners: Corner Shop Syndicate, Who's Drivin Syndicate, S J Corps, R D Nevill, Own The Moment Syndicate

Two Year Old Trotting Filly 

Becky’s Girl

Trainer: Phil Williamson

Owner: Bev Williamson

Three Year Old Pacing Filly

Bettathanlife

Trainer: Matthew Williamson

Owners: D W Paterson, Mrs E M E Paterson, J W Graham, Mrs L D Gill, Est D J Luke, Mrs E G Luke

Three Year Old Pacing Colt or Gelding 

Rocky Pacific

Trainer: Amber Hoffman

Owners: Mrs S M McGuire and M J McGuire

Three Year Old Trotting Filly

Atlantic City

Trainer: Phil Williamson

Owners: P G Argus and Mrs J M Argus

Three Year Old Trotting Colt or Gelding 

Tarragindi

Trainer: Phil Williamson

Owner: Bev Williamson

Four Year Old Pacing Mare

Courtney Force

Trainer: Amber Hoffman

Owners: P S Reardon, Murfy's 6 Syndicate, Fernz Boyz Syndicate and J P Hurley

Four Year Old Entire or Gelding

Mack Pack

Trainer: Matthew Williamson

Owner: G K Fyfe

Four Year Old Trotting Mare

Princess Sadie

Trainer: Matthew Williamson

Owners: Mrs C R Williamson, Stir Fry Syndicate, F J Donovan, Wrinkles and Piggy & Noshi Bears Syndicate

Four Year Old Trotting Entire or Gelding 

The Merc

Trainer: Kaleb Bublitz

Owners: K I Bublitz, Mrs E E Bublitz, A K W Bublitz and Miss J E Bublitz

Five Year Old and Older Trotting Mare

Practical Magic

Trainer: Phil Williamson

Owner: Mrs A M Boyd

Five Year Old and Older Trotting Entire or Gelding 

Jimmy  Carter

Trainer: Phil Williamson

Owners: D R Beckingsale and the Horsin Around Syndicate

Five Year Old and Older Pacing Mare

Betting Sensation

Trainer: Amber Hoffman

Owner: Wazzanme Syndicate

Five Year Old Pacing Entire or Gelding 

Tabasco

Trainer: Brad Williamson

Owners: All Things Harness Racing No.3 Syndicate, R N Austin, Mrs J M Austin, R L P Scott, Fly Under The Radar Syndicate, Sulky Seven Syndicate and  Shirley W's Syndicate

Horse of the Year 

Princess Sadie

Trainer: Matthew Williamon.

Owners: Mrs C R Williamson, Stir Fry Syndicate, F J Donovan, Wrinkles and Piggy & Noshi Bears Syndicate.

Princess Sadie won five of her twelve starts as a five year old. Her feature win was in The Dark Horse at Ascot Park a Group Three feature. She banked $85,092 for her connections.

Trainer of the Year 

Matthew Williamson

406-35-42-52      $543,865

Driver of the Year

Matthew Williamson

824-81-88-102    $1,481,080

Junior Driver of the Year 

Hayden Douglas

282-28-34-23     $356,514

Stablehand of the Year

Alana Oldham

Strike Rate Trainer of the Year

Phil Williamson

244-31-40-33    $656,679    UDR .2632

Breeders of the Year 

Joint Award  -  Bill and Pauline Bain and Bev Williamson

Broodmare of the Year

Kenny’s Dream

Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing 

Peter Gillespie