ALL EYES ON APRIL 10

While they are supporting features, as the premiere of Night Of Champions in 2025 showed, the Sires’ Stakes Semis will be wow races in their own right.

Wet weather on the night didn’t dampen the racing action last year. Leap To Fame’s win in The Race by Betcha made “Greatest Performance Ever” impressions on many fans who were at Cambridge Raceway — or watching live coverage in the dry at home.

“Larry” is the blockbuster act again this time, en route to the Interdominion back in Brisbane mid‑winter, another New Zealand Cup tilt in the spring, and stud‑duty deals on standby if required.

The Arcee Phoenix win in The Trot — the trotting equivalent of The Race — was another feel‑good moment for visiting Australians, not long after Swayzee and Just Believe had cleaned up (again) to the cheers of Cup Week crowds.

This year, an uncatchable trotting sensation first sighted sweeping the 2024 Cup Carnival — Keyang Zahara — returns to be Larry’s co‑star in Cambridge as we set ourselves for a second spin on the harness racing “slots” machine next week.

The hard‑working, holidaying Aussies will probably make hay.

But then there are the Sires’ Stakes Semis.

Home‑grown horses testing the waters weary of wiping out totally, given ther real ride is still brewing.

Twelve months ago, these races set a tone for what was ahead rather than confirming any presets. We got a hint of the emerging rivalry between Marketplace and Got The Chocolates, although it didn’t look much of a contest just yet.

The Sires’ Stakes fillies’ races gave rise to high‑quality competition across a broad base. A “boom” filly ran a 1:52 mile that was remarkably only third‑best even in the testing Cambridge conditions.

And a year on from clean‑sweeping the IRT Sires’ Stakes trot series, Meant To Be has stepped into the open‑class trotting ranks in the style most expected.

As it stands this year, there are plenty of young grommets in the swim, with others still feeling for the right wave in their bit of the ocean.

MAGNESS BENROW THREE‑YEAR‑OLD PACING FILLIES

While many were certain Beside Me was the bee’s knees last autumn, there are more questions than answers around her talented little sister All Of Me this month after she conked out in Auckland recently.

Having a run on the support card to keep her ticking over for upcoming classic assignments was the aim — but it went haywire.

After leading by the bell, the heavily favoured filly began to give ground and, by the back straight, she’d come to a standstill.

While nothing came to light during standard race‑night vet checks other than her clearly not being one hundred per cent, Kentuckiana Stables have her back in Christchurch on a short break, still hoping to have her fighting fit for the Sires’ Stakes Fillies Final on May 8 at Alexandra Park.

Not having to run a semi as the winner of the two‑year‑old final in November is helpful for the blueblood filly and her connections.

RIVER RUNS THROUGH THEM…

At the other end of Auckland outcomes, a recently realised breeding project blossomed early when River (pictured below) ran through and away from all others in the NZB Standardbred Harness Million on the same night.

Renowned Standardbred nursery Dancingonmoonlight Ltd bred and sold the filly originally to Jean Feiss at the 2024 Yearling Sales.

Todd and Fleur Anderson of Taffy Ltd jumped at the chance when Jean offered the royal bred for sale after her two‑year‑old racing campaign ended with a finefourth in the Dunstan Sires’ Stakes Series Final over Cup Week.

Recognising the potential of a family that produces champions and stars like Carabella and Belle Of Montana, a racing syndicate was formed to enhance River’s pedigree page — then Taffy Ltd takes over for the part it does best: breeding sales‑topping yearlings from her.

Plans couldn’t have had better beginnings than victory in the $150,000 sales‑race feature.

The margins were dizzying behind River.

The game runner‑up Queen Lizzy looks well capable of up‑sizing the pedigree she already boasts through her dam, a Sires’ Stakes Princess named Tiffany.

Many of the others were all at sea with some last‑corner backwash, and some were swept away by the week‑to‑week backup — leaving Smackdown clinging to third and the connections of Caduceus Club Champion the previous week, Miki’s Deal, happy to be watching from home down south waiting for their Southland Oaks qualifier at Easter weekend.

GARRARD’S THREE‑YEAR‑OLD COLTS & GELDINGS PACERS

While the Sires’ Stakes two‑year‑old champion from the summer can take a pass from the semis, his key rivals will be in one or the other wanting to shore up their finals berth.

Jumal, Signman and Allamerican Player trifected their hotly contested Harness Million Final (pictured above) as Freeze Frame over‑worked and under‑performed by comparison.

Sonofamistery revealed himself as a serious contender with his eye‑catching and somewhat unlucky fourth in the same race.

Johnny Lincoln gave a glimpse of his staying power with a wide‑running, unflinching effort (6th) — but his future is probably elsewhere shortly. He’s been sold to America.

IRT THREE‑YEAR‑OLD TROTTERS

A lot’s been said and written about Our Col over the last month.

An affordable purchase from a Breckon Farms sales draft in 2024, she is undefeated in two race‑night runs. An unofficial New Zealand record‑breaking trial started the banter around the giant filly.

Having seen, heard, and sat behind enough to stay grounded on such things, even her trainer‑driver Tony Herlihy is happy to talk about her class if asked.

She’ll get her test when the two‑year‑old champion Kyvalley Ray returns to racing in the Sires’ Stakes.

The Kiwi‑bred, Australian‑owned colt has been sighted at the trials, as has Petite Amour — who chased him hard and got closer as the summer went on last year. The latter is going great guns; the former is still finding his feet.

READY FOR THE SIRES’ STAKES SWELL

So, we are ready‑set for the swell of rising New Zealand‑bred and raced standardbreds pumped to catch the right wave and show some early‑autumn Sires’ Stakes form in front of an eager fanbase.

SIRES’ STAKES AUTUMN SCHEDULE

Caduceus Club 3YO Ladyship Fillies Pacing Series 27 (G2)

• Fri, 13 Mar • 2200m • $70,000, Winner: Miki’s Deal

NZB Standardbred Harness Million 6 – 3YO Colts & Geldings Pace (Listed)

• Fri, 20 Mar • 2200m • $200,000, Winner: Jumal

NZB Standardbred Harness Million 6 – 3YO Pacing Fillies (Listed)

• Fri, 20 Mar • 2200m • $150,000, Winner: River

Magness Benrow Northern Mares Classic (Listed)

• Fri, 20 Mar • 2200m • $50,000, Winner: Princess Gracy

 

April – Semi Finals (Waikato & Christchurch)

Magness Benrow Sires’ Stakes 3YO Fillies Pacing Semi Final 1

• Waikato BOP • Fri, 10 Apr • 1700m • $50,000

Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes 3YO Colts & Geldings Pacing Semi Final 1

• Waikato BOP • Fri, 10 Apr • 1700m • $50,000

IRT Sires’ Stakes 3YO Trotters Semi Final

• Waikato BOP • Fri, 10 Apr • 2200m • $50,000

Future Wealth Aged Trotters Classic (Listed)

• NZ Metro • Fri, 17 Apr • 2600m • $50,000

Magness Benrow Sires’ Stakes 3YO Fillies Pacing Semi Final 2

• NZ Metro • Fri, 17 Apr • 1980m • $50,000

NZB Standardbred Harness Million 6 – 3YO Trotters (Listed)

• Auckland • Fri, 24 Apr • 2200m • $75,000

May – Championship Month

IRT Sires’ Stakes 3YO Trotters Championship (G1)

• Auckland • Fri, 1 May • 2200m • $120,000

Magness Benrow Sires’ Stakes 3YO Fillies Pacing Final (G1)

• Auckland • Fri, 8 May • 2200m • $200,000

Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes 3YO Colts & Geldings Pacing Semi Final 2

• NZ Metro • Fri, 15 May • 1980m • $50,000

Commodore Hotel Uncut Gems Trotters Classic (Listed)

• NZ Metro • Fri, 15 May • 2600m • $50,000

Beta Vet Uncut Gems Entire & Geldings Pacing Classic (Listed)

• NZ Metro • Fri, 15 May • 1980m • $50,000

Cobbitty Equine Farm Uncut Gems Pacing Mares Classic (Listed)

• NZ Metro • Fri, 15 May • 1980m • $50,000

Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes 3YO Colts & Geldings Pacing Final (G1)

• NZ Metro • Fri, 22 May • 1980m • $200,000