Patterson aiming some horses at SI triple crown meetings

BY TONY BIRD

New Plymouth trainer Robert Patterson is aiming promising three-year-old Topario at the lower South Island triple crown for three-year-olds early in the New Year.

Patterson yesterday confirmed plans to campaign Topario and a supporting team in the deep south over summer.

"I'll probably send four [horses] down with a view to placing a couple of the others with trainers down there after the campaign," the former Southlander said.

He said it was a good opportunity for Topario, winner of two races to date this season, to pick up a stakes race victory.

The series kicks off with the listed $45,000 Gore Guineas (1355m) on January 23 followed two weeks later by the $45,000 Dunedin Guineas (1400m) at Wingatui.

The third and final leg of the series is the Southland Guineas on February 20.

A $100,000 bonus will be paid to the owners of the horse that wins all three nominated triple crown races.

There must be a minimum of 10 starters in each of the three legs for the bonus to be won.

The grand slam was successfully completed by Fritzy Boy last year, but the connections of that horse did not receive the bonus because fewer than 10 horses started the final leg.

Topario finished ninth of 15 runners last start after doing the donkey work in front early in the Eulogy Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on December 12.

THE Hawera Harness Racing Club ended the 2008-09 season with a surplus of just under $6000, despite suffering a predicted loss of turnover by the "ridiculously early 9.30am start" to the Easter Saturday meeting, president John Hosie said at the club's recent annual meeting.

Treasurer Colin Greaves estimated the early start to the Easter Saturday meeting ordered by the New Zealand Racing Board cost the club about $350,000 in off-course turnover. And the bad news for the HHRC is that as long as the club races on Easter Saturday the same ruling appears set to continue.

Hosie said the latest advice from the NZRB dates committee granted the club the option of starting an eight-race card at 10.30am as long as racing was completed by 2pm.

"If we wish to run more races we have to start earlier. The choice is ours," he said.

Mr Hosie warned of challenges ahead.

"All racing codes have recorded significant falls in turnover in the last year and this is already showing up in reduced stakes. On top of this, there are indications that the review of the Gambling Act 2003 will seriously restrict the racing industry's access to gaming trust grants, a move that could significantly impact the viability of many clubs," he said.

Officers elected were: President John Hosie, vice-presidents K. Orr, G. Fredrickson; committee B. K. Fleming, C. Greaves, D. Bublitz, M. Clegg, W. Espin, W. P. Fleming, J. Mair, W. Orr, G. Purser and B. Towers.

CAMERON GEORGE is to return to New Zealand from Australia to become thoroughbred racing's chief stipendiary steward.

George, an Australian, served as a steward for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing from July 2006 to December last year, spending the past 21 months of that period as chief stipe.

He left to become chairman of stewards for Harness Racing Victoria.

"This is an excellent opportunity at an exciting time," George said this week. "With the changes that are being proposed in the coming months there is every indication that racing in New Zealand will go from strength to strength over the coming years.

"I'm keen to be part of it once again and contribute to that change."

NZTR chief executive Malcolm Holmes said George "would add depth and knowledge to our industry's integrity services".

He takes up the job on February 15.

IAN CHAMBERS has retired as a race commentator after 30 years of service to gallops, harness and greyhound codes.

Chambers began covering trials around Canterbury in 1971. His first call on-air was in 1980 at a meeting in his home town of Methven. He has been the regular race caller at meetings on the West Coast of the South Island, Blenheim and Nelson.

For a period he also covered greyhounds at QEII Park.

Chambers and his partner Lynda have been running a restaurant in Rangiora for the past 20 months.

Chambers' replacement behind the microphone on South Island race tracks will be Thomas Woods, who has come through the commentator cadet programme, trained and mentored by the legendary Reon Murtha.

Woods' first full day of calling will be at the Westport Trotting Club on Boxing Day.

- © Fairfax NZ News