Southland Syndicate celebrate 30 years

Bruce Stewart Journalist

One of the longest running harness racing syndicates in Southland celebrates its 30^th anniversary this weekend.

The Makarewa Country Club Syndicate’s (MCC Syndicate) first winner was Kenwood Charmer (Smooth Fella) at Wyndham in March 1994. The gelding was trained by Ron and Tony Barron and driven by Tony Herlihy.

In it’s thirty years the syndicate has had thirty three winners. The group’s best have been Franco Goodtime (OK Bye) five wins, Mighty Flying Deal (American Ideal) five, Peg Jaccka (Courage Under Fire) four and Better B Ready (Bettor’s Delight) four.

Ron Barron has trained sixteen of the thirty three winners, Brett Gray fourteen and Tony Barron four.

The syndicate’s biggest pay day was when You’re So Fine (Always B Miki) won the Group Two Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic at Ascot Park in May last year. The syndicate sold the gelding shortly after and he now races out of Gary Hall senior’s Perth stables with the group retaining a share. The three year old was injured after having just five starts in Western Australia.

“He had a tendon problem so they turned him out for six months, so he won’t be back in work in February. We’ve retained a twenty percent share in him,” syndicate spokesperson Ann Malcolm said.

The syndicate also races A Major Starr (Art Major) and has a yearling Makarewa Miki (Always B Miki) which is out a of a full sister to Roman Gladiator. They also race maiden pacer Hunting Weight (Stunin Cullen) who’s due back into work early next year.

While the group’s main focus is on harness racing they have an interest in a couple of gallopers as well. Divovski and Southern Starr are both trained by Kelvin and Aimee Tyler. Five year old gelding Divovski  ran second at his first start, then went on to win at Riverton.

Margaret West is the only remaining original syndicate member and she’s to have the honour of cutting the celebratory cake at Sunday’s function. Current and past members will have lunch at the Makarewa Country Club, and then watch the Grand Prix race meeting at Addington.

The current MCC syndicate members are Errol Forde (Manager), Bernie Forde, Margaret West, Darryl Hewitson, Ack McLeod, Bob McKay, Mike Booth, Philippa Blackler, Ann Malcolm, Jenny McIvor, John Flynn, Donna Herrick, Brian Butson and Murray Lodge.

The Setarip Syndicate and the Dolamite Syndicate have also been long established in Southland.

The Setarip Syndicate (Pirates spelt backwards) was formed in the late 1970s by members of the Invercargill Pirates Rugby Football Club.

Their first winner was Hispaniola (Sly Yankee) at the Central Southland Raceway in Winton in December 1978. The syndicate is still racing horses and their last winner was Magic Sign (Terror To Love) in July this year. The syndicate has owned horses that have won thirty two races, with their biggest success being Black Ops (McArdle) which won seven.

The Dolamite Syndicate’s first winner was Paper Chance (Majestic Chance) which won at Gore in December 1980. Their biggest winner was Scarrymcleary (Elsu) which won eight races pacing and a further eight trotting. Altogether the syndicate has won fifty one races in New Zealand.