Hot Juvenile Trotters Contest Harness Million Series Title

An intriguing battle of tactics is set to play out when the squaregaiting stars of tomorrow contest the first trotting event in the Harness Million Race Series at Addington on Friday 2 October. 

 

A field of seven bluebloods destined for big things will vie for a lucrative $75,000 stake in the earliest stages of their young careers when they clash in the Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO Trot (1980m).

 

The favourites for the race Leaf Stride (NZ) (Love You), Son Of Patrick (NZ) (Father Patrick) and Eurokash (NZ) (Love You) each contested the Haras des Trotteurs Sires' Stakes Prelude (1980m) at Addington last week.

 

Leaf Stride’s camp came out of the feature event with bragging rights after he held out Son Of Patrick with a late dive along the inner to win.

 

Son Of Patrick was gallant in defeat when having to work around the field three-wide while Leaf Stride was tucked in behind the leader.

 

In this week’s NZB Standardbred Harness Million two-year-old trot, it could be Leaf Stride who has to work around the field after the Phil Williamson trained trotter drew wide in barrier 7.

 

However, the unbeaten youngster has brilliant early speed, which means his driver Matthew Williamson will face the crucial early decision of whether to push forward and try to take an early lead or go back at the start and avoid any potential battles for the front.

 

Son Of Patrick, who has drawn ideally in barrier 2, will again be the key threat to Leaf Stride.

 

The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan trained trotter does not look to have the early speed of his main rival, but he makes up for it with a big staying motor.

 

Son Of Patrick starts alongside Eurokash, who has the ace draw of barrier 1.

 

The Greg and Nina Hope trained youngster made an early mistake in last week’s Haras des Trotteurs Sires' Stakes Prelude, which put him out of play.

 

Greg Hope feels Eurokash is clearly good enough to test Leaf Stride and Son Of Patrick going on his prior form, which saw him crowned New Zealand’s Two-Year-Old Trotter of the Year for the 2019-20 season.

 

“I’ve got no doubts he is as good anything in the field and his age group,” the trainer said.

 

“The ability is there, it’s just a matter of getting him around in one piece.”

 

Franco Jorik (NZ) (Muscle Mass) is in a similar position to his stablemate, Eurokash.

The Hope trained trotter put up excellent runs before his manners cost him his winning chance in last week’s Haras des Trotteurs Sires' Stakes Prelude.

 

Franco Jorik starts in barrier 3, with Outtamyway (NZ) (Love You) beside him in barrier 4.

 

Outtamyway went a big race behind Leaf Stride last week, running fourth after doing plenty of work in the running sitting outside the leader.

 

North Island hope I See Fire (NZ) (Muscle Hill) brings a different formline to the NZB Standardbred Harness Million two-year-old compared with most of his rivals.

 

He made up good ground to run fifth after making a slow beginning when taking on a field of seasoned older trotters in his latest start.

 

I See Fire dominated his age group in the north when winning twice and running a second in his three prior starts for trainer-driver Tony Herlihy.

 

I See Fire starts in barrier 5, alongside the most inexperienced running in the field, Salvo (NZ) (Love You).

 

The Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO Trot (1980m) will be run as Race 6 at 7:38pm on Friday night at Addington Raceway. 

 

Horse	Draw	Comments	Trainer	Driver
Eurokash	1	The well-performed Eurokash (NZ) (Love You) has won three of his five starts and $14,983 in stakes. Eurokash will attempt to continue his brilliant form after recently being crowned New Zealand 2YO Trotting Colt or Gelding of the Year. Eurokash was purchased by Greg Hope for $35,000 from Ruby Bloodstock at the 2019 National Yearling Sale.	Greg & Nina Hope	Ben Hope (J)
Son Of Patrick	2	Hot trotter Son Of Patrick (NZ) (Father Patrick) has secured a smooth win and second placing from just three starts in his career. Sired by Father Patrick out of Kylie Ree, he is trained by Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan and will be looking to contest a further victory on Friday. The gelding was purchased for $45,000 in 2019 from N. P. Williamson.	Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan	Scott Phelan
Franco Jorik	3	Up-and-coming Franco Jorik (NZ) (Muscle Mass) is another serious contender for this Listed Harness Million Series race. Greg & Nina Hope trained gelding won his second start and has also secured three second placings and a third placing from just seven starts. Franco Jorik was bought by the goHarness Hoofin Around Syndicate for $22,000 from Spreydon Lodge.	Greg & Nina Hope	Ricky May
Outamyway	4	Outamyway (NZ) (Love You) is yet to win for trainer Paul Nairn, but has gathered up two third placings from four starts in total. He was picked up for $17,500 by Mr P F Williams from White Stables at the 2019 National Yearling Sale.	Paul Nairn	Blair Orange
I See Fire	5	I See Fire (NZ) (Muscle Hill) is another solid performer who has claimed two wins and a second placing from just four starts in total. He could continue his form this Friday and take out the Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO Trot (1980m). Trainer-driver Tony Herlihy purchased the Muscle Hill gelding for $60,000 from Breckon Farms at the 2019 National Yearling Sale. He has now earned $9,010 in prizemoney.	Tony Herlihy	Tony Herlihy
Salvo	6	The only filly in the field is newcomer Salvo (NZ) (Love You) who placed seventh on debut two weeks ago. This race is only the second start of her career. Flying the flag for trainer-driver Jack Harrington, she cost Harrington $20,000 as a yearling and was secured from Studholme Bloodstock.	Jack Harrington	Jack Harrington
Leaf Stride	7	Crowd favourite Leaf Stride (NZ) (Love You) is a serious contender for Friday night’s $75,000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO Trot (1980m) held at Addington Raceway. The Phil Williamson-trained gelding has remained unbeaten in his career so far, having claimed two wins from two starts at $11,500 in prizemoney. He was purchased by Emilio and Mary Rosati for $90,000 from the 2019 National Standardbred Yearling Sale.	Phil Williamson	Matthew Williamson