Mid-season report – southern trainers

Bruce Stewart Journalist

The 2023 harness racing season is at the halfway mark and Bruce Stewart interviews some southern trainers about their plans, some of their better performed horses and those on ‘the watch list’.

This week’s interviewees – Alister Black, Amber Hoffman, Peter Hunter, Greg Hunter, Kirstin Green, Trevor Proctor, Tyler Dewe, Jeremy Douglas, Darryn Simpson and Phil Williamson.

Alister Black

Captain Tom (Captaintreacherous) 9-4-0-1   $39,232

Captain Tom

“He’s been out for six weeks in a ten acre paddock - the pick of the property. He seems bright and well and will come back in on Monday. I haven’t mapped anything out for him yet. I’ll make a plan closer to the time. We’ll look at the three year old races including the Derby.”

On the watch list:

Dignify (Father Patrick)

Dignify

“He’s a big bloke and should do a job. He might race in January or February.”

Amber Hoffman

One Change (Bettor’s Delight) 48-19-8-7   $667,223

One Change

“One Change has been back since 1^st June. He looks great after a spell.”

Mad Jack (Love You) 10-3-0-0   $17,262

“He’s off to the trials this week. His work at home has been good.”

On the watch list:

Ultimate Mach (Ultimate Machete)

“He’s just a bit weak now.”

Peter Hunter

Rakadan (He’s Watching) 11-1-2-3   $13,642

Rakadan

“He’s racing at the moment.”

Raklou (Sweet Lou) 4-3-0-1   $34,650

Raklou

“She’s spelling and I’m not sure when she’ll be back in.”

On the watch list:

Northview Sweet (Sweet Lou) Unqualified three year old filly.

Mick Fernco (Sportswriter) Unqualified three year old gelding out of the four win mare Betta Go Fernco (Gotta Go Cullect).

Greg Hunter

Beach Day (Sunshine Beach) 6-1-2-1   $11,170 

Beach Day

“Beach Day is still spelling after having tying up problems. She will be back in work in July and has done well in her time out.”

On the watch list:

My Pleasure (Sportswriter)

Kirstin Green

Carerra Sunrise (Downbytheseaside) 4-1-0-1   $9,175

Carerra Sunrise

“Sunny is turned out at my partner’s family farm in Cheviot. She comes back on Thursday. Emmet (Daly), Sean’s father has been looking after her giving her hard feed twice a day. She’s filled out and is looking super. I’m really excited for her to be coming back.”

On the watch list:

Captain Meister (Captaintreacherous)

Captain Meister 

Trevor Proctor

Tact McLeod (Sweet Lou) 4-2-1-1  $16,305

Tact McLeod

“McLeod is due back in another month. He’s looking good and has put a lot of weight on.”

Tyler Dewe

Teddy Baker (Somebeachsomewhere) 21-4-1-2   $35,028

Teddy Baker

“He’s completed one week of jogging after having six months off with a tendon injury. He looks magnificent and has grown a hand. He’s now a big rounded, strong looking horse. I’m very excited to see what he can do this season. Hopefully back to back South of the Waitaki or something bigger.”

On the watch list:

Northview Ocean (Downbytheseaside)

“She’s a three year old who will hopefully be a nice filly at the end of the year.”

Jeremy Douglas

Miki Knows (Always B Miki) 8-3-0-2   $19,671

“He’ll be back at the races in mid September.”

Minnie McGoogan (Pegasus Spur) 19-2-7-2   $34,492 

Minnie McGoogan

“She’s in work and due back at the races mid August. She’ll be aimed at Cup Week with Miki Knows.”

On the watch list:

Always B There (Always B Miki)

Always B There

“He should have a big spring.”

Darryn Simpson 

Show No Fear (Father Patrick) 7-2-0-2   $23,520

“She’s due to go to the trials this week. She’s going to have to go back to standing starts which is never easy. She’s got bigger and stronger. We’ll try and target filly’s races. With the Ace of Hearts being late last year she needed a good break, and we haven’t rushed her.” We’ll keep her ticking over and teach her a few things and give her some standing starts.”

On the watch list:

Fearless (Father Patrick)

“He won as a two year old. He’s lining up this week at Invercargill. I like him. He’s quite a nice horse who’s got a bit of speed.”

Demon Hill (What The Hill) 

“We’ve qualified her but she’ll probably race later on in the year. She’s got a lot of speed and brains.”

Phil Williamson 

Love N The Port (Love You) 34-8-10-3   $226,628 

Love N The Port

“He’s in holiday mode. In total he’ll have a month off but we might give him another week or so depending on the weather. I like to give them about six weeks after a campaign like that but when they’re older they don’t need as much time off. When he and Majestic Man got home they were tearing round the paddock like two year olds so they certainly thrived on the trip. His major focus will be the Dominion.”

Majestic Man (Majestic Son) 94-24-27-12 $807,870

Majestic Man

“He went an encouraging enough run in the Rowe Cup for us to make a decision to have another campaign with him. We’ll aim at the Ashburton Trotters Mile with him then Cup Week.”

On the watch list:

Isolate (Father Patrick)

“She’s a nice three year old filly who ran a second and a fifth up in Auckland. She’s a big girl so time’s going to be her friend. Given enough time I think one day she’ll be quite a good horse. I imagine by the time she’s five she’ll be able to go up through the grades. She’s pretty good.”

Empire City (Volstead)

“She’s a nice wee two year old filly who we qualified a couple of weeks ago. We intend to bring her to Winton at the end of the month and she’ll be a competitive maiden.

Storm Cloud (Father Patrick)

“She’s a big two year old filly but has got a bit of quality. She’s out of Astound (Majestic Son) a daughter of Habibti. She hasn’t trialled yet but she’s probably the most promising one I’ve got of the two year olds.”