Star Bettor’s mare Carabella returned to racing last Friday at Addington in a 2600m FFA pace, with driver Ricky May leading up early, she surrendered the lead to Mach Banner. In a field of stars in their own rights, Carabella shone brightest lacking none of the brilliance that saw her voted NZ Harness Horse Of The Year, NZ Pacer Of The Year & NZ 3YO Filly Of The Year she blew past her rivals in the straight when Ricky May released the ribbons to score from Major Mach, Last 800m in 56.7 final ¼ in 28.8. Trainer Brendon Hill said. “She did a bit early but got a nice trip after, it was all about doing the job as softly as we could and that run was perfect,” This win takes her overall record to 14 wins from 15 starts & over $582k in stakes for breeder/owners Cavalla Bloodstock Ltd. Also on the card Bettor’s 4YO’s Lulli Midfrew won a 3YO & Older pace followed by Kristina winning the next $6.9k 4YO & Older.
The amazing recovery of Carabella’s former juvenile sparring partner Bettor Cover Lover continues to please not only her owners but all those in harness racing . Since day one the daughter of Bettor’s intestinal fortitude along with copious amounts of TLC & patience of all those connected has seen the now 4YO Bettor’s mare return to the track with little signs of the freak accident which nearly cost her life let alone her race career. At the recent Franklin TC workouts (Nov 30th) in a field of 7 she worked over a distance of 2500m, she was beaten by a head on the line by the 1:54.5 $381k winner Sir Lincoln with a further ½ to third but most impressive was the slick sectionals – last 800m in 57.5 then 26.7 for last 400m.
Bettor’s winners last week include - Invercargill HRC & Arden’s Southee won a $9k 4YO & Older 2700m pace. Sundays Waimate TC meeting, 3YO Gaylee’s Delight beat Brutus GNP to make it yet another siring quinella
American Ideal as of Sunday has a 70% 3YO Winners to Starters in New Zealand, from only 10 starters so far this season. This % is the highest Winner/Starter ratio of all pacing sires, he’s currently placed 6th on the earnings list, with only $5k separating positions 4,5 & 6 with all sires above represented by between 72 foals up to 147 foals. In The US his stats read 157 starters, 103 in 2:00 45 in 1:55 & over $6.58mil.
At the Franklin TC trials last Wednesday 3YO American Ideal, Idolise Me ran home the 800m in 58.3 last 400m in 28.3 with fellow American Ideal Bloomin Ideal running 3rd.
In Australia, on Sunday 27th Nov at Launceston 4YO Bettor’s Twilight Town stormed away from the field to score by 8.5m after sitting 3 wide mid race then outside leader with lap to go – a winner of 7 from 16 starts with 4 minors so far. Bettor’s winners last week included the Geoff & Lorraine Barnes bred Bettagetawaymore winning at Globe Derby after leading she held on to score in a photo, Patch Maguire won at Albion Park also leading all the way, Aveross Mac won at Yarra Valley home in 28.7, 3YO The Dip bred by Woodlands very own Charles Roberts won at Melton in 1:58.5 for the 2240m trip, 3YO Bettor Believe It won at Ballarat at her first race start, 3YO Classic Croupier also won at first start, 4YO Signory Shannon won at Bathurst Sunday, 4YO The Phantom won at Wedderburn @ Melton meeting Sunday also with 3YO favourite Ciskei rounding out the night winning the last race at Devonport for the Rattray breed/owned/trained & driven combination.
To all those happy breeders/owners of Woodlands sired foals please send your photos in so we can upload them onto our website
December 2011
Carabella toys with FFA field first up
American Ideal – 3YO Winning Double
At Rangiora 4YO son of Bettor’s, Bowen Delight won in a tight finish then at Morrinsville TC meeting 3YO Bettor’s Excellarate won after coming from outside back row, Forbury & 3YO Bettor’s Creek saluted the judge in fine style moving onto Alexandra Park with Bettor’s siring 3 winners on the card, (with a further 3 places) 3YO Your Good Fortune won $9.7k Grand Park, 4YO Southwind Arden winning the $19.1k Meadow Fresh with 4YO Carabella taking out the $29.5k Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes that included AUS visitor Forever Gold. Carabella lead from the pole, with a three wide train pressuring as the bell lap sounded – top of the lane she simply dropped into overdrive & sprinted hard to gap her opposition to make it 15 wins from 16 starts. Final sectionals for the 2200m trip 800m in 56.3 last 400m in 27.5 home in 1:57.1
Across at Addington Highview Teejay won again after starting from the 12 spot. Blair Orange sat the 3YO Bettor’s gelding in the running line 8th until the top turn he unleashed the wraps and the full brother of Highview Tommy blew past the field to win as he liked by 2 ½ lengths. Later on the card American Ideal 3YO Springsteen again for driver Blair Orange beat Bettor’s 4YO Far Too Rusty to make it a Woodlands sired quinella.
Sunday & American Ideal 3YO filly Magna cleared an early scrimmage at the Methven TC meeting to settle back of the early leader Vanilla Rose with little movement until they turned for home when Magna cut across heels to end up 5 off the paint to secure a run down the middle of the track she toughed it out to haul in Elusive Chick close to home to win at her second race start after being placed third at Banks Peninsula back on Nov 27th.
Bettor Cover Lover’s much anticipated return to racing is planned for this weeks Gr1 $100k Rosslands Queen Of Hearts – we wish her & her connections the very best of luck.
In Australia, Gloucester Park & 3YO Bettor’s colt Say It Now sprinted away from his opposition to make it 3 from 5 this time in, then Charles Roberts bred Bettor’s 4YO Lisharry won in a slick 1:56 flat over the 1700m trip
Tabcorp Melton last Thurs & Bettor’s 4YO Dickies Bromac won first up in 1:54.8, At Burnie Saturday Bettor’s 3YO filly Vickymurphy won at leading early took the trail to win by 4m on the line, Lislea 7YO UK Connection won $10k Heat 2 of the Xmas Gift at Menangle last Sat followed by Bettor’s Delight 7YO Vegas Bound taking out a $14k FFA in 1:53.0
At Launceston Sunday – classy Bettor’s 4YO mare Benediction took out the $7k Boags Draught Stakes at her second run this season. A winner of over $70k she was a long odds on fav expertly driven by Gareth Rattray to secure the run at the 400m mark she raced away from the field to win by 3 ½ eased down.
Betty Bounces Back To Gr1 Best
For all those connected with Harness Racing throughout Australasia Friday nights Gr1 Queen Of Hearts run at Alexandra Park was truly one of the most remarkable wins on record. Back in April 2011 only hours after winning the Gr1 Victorian Oaks star filly Bettor Cover Lover suffered one of the most publicised & serious injuries, which not only had her race career in doubt but also her life. After 8 months painstaking rehab, countless hours Hayden Cullen spent walking her along with the collective best wishes & TLC from everybody directly and indirectly connected “Betty” returned to the track & her adoring fans
Opting for a tilt at a Gr1 first up wouldn’t be the choice of many with such an invaluable broodmare prospect but her co trainer/driver Brett Mangos who knows Betty inside and out thought differently. Owners Trevor & Colleen Lindsay of WA trusted Brett’s judgment implicitly "She's come back from almost dust straight to the top and I'm just so thankful. "I have enormous respect for Brent and how he prepared her. I kept saying are you sure you don't want to go for a softie first and run in a little race at Cambridge? ". Last Friday night along with all those on track or watching on TV, everybody sat fingers crossed as the gate pulled away Brett drove her forward 3 wide rounding the turn, moving into the one out line, being headed 3 times throughout to end up one out 3 back buried in traffic. As the field turned for home gaps opened up, Carabella sprinting to the lead with Bettor Cover Lover some 5 lengths off the NZ Harness Horse Of The Year. With the urgings of the entire crowd behind them the champion daughter’s of Bettor’s Delight rekindled one of sports’ greatest modern day rivalries, on the line only ½ neck separating the two with Betty taking home the spoils on the night, capping of a truly amazing recovery. I know I can speak for all those in racing when I say Congratulations and Welcome back Betty, we’ve all missed you !
Alexandra Park Friday was filled with Woodlands Stud highlights when Bettor’s Delight sired the trifecta in race two the Euroglass $19,700 3YO & Older fillies with Charles Roberts bred / Woodlands Partnership Syndicate 4YO Victors Delight beating Southwind Arden, Minnie Moose 3rd. In race three the $23,499 Breckon Bloodstock Young Guns Series pace Ohokas Punter (Bettor’s 2YO) rated 1:57.4 to score. In the $49k Alabar Classic American Ideal 3YO Ideal Scott ran 3rd, then in the fillies division Bettor’s 3YO Cheer The Lady ran 2nd, Bettor Cover Lover & Carabella ran the Bettor’s sired quinella in the Gr1 Queen of Hearts with Your Good Fortune running a close 2nd in race 12 a $19.7k pace.
Saturday at Winton Bettor’s 4YO Dream Out Loud won the Macca Lodge Junior Drivers Mobile (Poacher 3rd), Princess Delight beat Pembrook’s Delight in the following race (Bettor’s quinella). Sunday 4YO Bettor’s Delight mare Nicole Vaidisova won at Wanganui TC then across at Rangiora HRC Pegasus Spur 4YO Frisson won a $5k 2600m trot, Ruben (3YO Bettor’s) won the next a 3YO & Older, Bettor’s Fire then saluted in a $6.5k 3YO & Older Pace, 4YO Mel Gibson (Pegasus Spur) won race 5 the Jack Behrn’s Memorial
In Australia, Bettor’s 4YO Our Silver Dollar won at Charlton, Lisharry made it back to back wins at Gloucester Park with Heavens Delight winning first up in the last, Bettor’s 4YO Tara Top Lady won at Ballarat, Pegasus Spur 3YO Cookeyslass won at Bendigo, American Ideal 3YO Obahma Joy won at first start @ Penrith, Bettor’s 4YO’s Benazir Bhutto won at Bathurst, Ohokas Boston won at Globe Derby & Mabrook rated 1:53.5 to score along with 6YO Bettor’s Roman Stride both winning at Menangle Park Sat night.
On a extremely sad note harness racing NZ was shocked by the sudden death of Woodlands Assistant Stud Master Louise Pallin Tuesday night 13th Dec, killed in a tragic car accident while returning home. Louise will be sadly missed by everybody at Woodlands with our condolences & sympathy going out to Louise’s family and friends at this time.
American Ideal 11m Winner at Menangle
At the Menangle Park meeting 20th Dec American Ideal 3YO Equity Kicker spanked an eight horse field recording an opening quarter of 27.3 and final in 27.9 to win by 11m on the line to record a 1:57.8 victory. The colt is closely related to $550k 1:53.3 winner Rohan Home. This win takes his sire to 9 winners from 15 starters in AUS.
Bettor’s Winners last week, Welsh Beauty won the Ouyen @ Mildura meeting, Our Silver Dollar Girl won at Charlton, Dans Gamble won at Gold Coast & Just Delight won at Goulburn
Lislea 7YO UK Connection scorched the track at Menangle on Dec 23rd running the mile in 1:51.9, first half in 54.1sec - winning by 2.9m driven by Matt Rue for trainer Luke McCarthy.
In Canada, the 2011 O’Brien Award nominees have been announced with Woodlands Sires well represented in three of the major categories. American Jewel represents her sire American Ideal in the 2YO Pacing filly division after winning 8 of 9 races, setting a 2YO filly World Record 1:50.2 at Mohawk in the process with stakes topping $677k
The 3YO Pacing filly of the year division sees daughter of Bettor’s Delight, See You At Peelers nominated, a winner of 13 races & $916k this season inc a World Record 1:49.2, the Fan Hanover, Tarport Hap, Valley Forge and the Art Rooney where she beat up on the C&G
Son of Bettor’s - Betterthancheddar nominated in the 3YO Pacing Colts division who won both his elim & final of the 3YO Breeders Crown, American National & Windy City Pace - a winner of 10 races from 18 starts $777K in stakes & a 1:49.1 mark
In The US, Bettor’s Delight is set to take out the 3YO Leading Money Winning Sires along with the Leading Money Winning All Age titles this year. In the All Age category in which his nearest rival Western Hanover has sired almost double his foals. Bettor’s 730 foals > 419 winners of $14,802,854, Western Hanover has 1590 foals > 378 winners of $14,313,343. American Ideal colt Heston Blue Chip tops the 2YO Pacers by Wins list with 13 starts for 11wins 2 places for $375,650 in stakes and a mark of 1:50.4.
To all those connected with Woodlands Sired winners in 2011 we say a big CONGRATULATIONS & THANK YOU to all those owners/breeders trainers & drivers who have made 2011 a massive year – Woodlands Stud looks forward to seeing the next crop of stars on the track in 2012. May the new year bring you all luck love laughter & plenty of winners.
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