Titan Banner was given the top honour at the Otago Harness Racing Awards ceremony at Forbury Park on Saturday night after winning the Tuapeka Cup at the same venue in October, and placing in the group 3 Invercargill Cup.
The 5yr-old is now with Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen at Rolleston, getting ready for a tilt at the New Zealand Cup in November, after he beat Christen Me in the Winter Cup and ran third in the 4yr-old emerald at the Harness Jewels under their care.
Part-owner and former trainer Graeme Anderson talked to All Star Stables’ junior driver Matt Anderson last week, who said the son of Art Major had arrived back at the stables looking "magnificent".
"He’s grown up and filled out," Anderson said.
"We had the option to go to Australia after the Jewels but we decided we wouldn’t do that — we’d just turn him out and give him every opportunity for the cup."
Anderson has long held the opinion Titan Banner would be a New Zealand Cup horse, and it looks as though the 2016 edition on the second Tuesday in November will see his dream come to fruition.
"I just hope he goes on and honours the award he got, because he was a bit unlucky not to win a group or listed race last year, but I think he’ll get there this year in some way, shape or form," he said.
"We’ve not overraced him at all right through and I think that will benefit him. He’s got some speed, but I think he’s always been a good stayer even when I had him as a young horse.
"The day he beat Christen Me, he just outstayed him and that gives us a bit of confidence going into the New Zealand Cup."
Only races won when trained by Otago-based trainers were taken into consideration by the judging panel, so Titan Banner’s award was based on his efforts during his time with Anderson.
Anderson was also pleased to get awards with Eamon Maguire (2yr-old pacing colt or gelding, Hopes And Dreams (3yr-old pacing filly), Belkmyster (5yr-old and older pacing entire/gelding) and Motu Moonbeam (4yr-old pacing mare).
The last named exceeded Anderson’s expectations last season, and she has gone on to a successful career at Yonkers, where she has won five races in a short space of time.
"She did really well. I was proud of what she achieved this year.
"She placed in 1.53 behind Rocker Band and won in 1.55 — she ran time all year."
Fledgling junior driver Genevieve Crawford was recognised as the young achiever, but not for her work in the sulky.
Crawford has taken it upon herself to rehome more than 50 ex-racehorses in the last few years — some from within the Roxburgh stables of Geoff and Jude Knight where she works, but also other horses from around the province.
Neville Simpson’s outstanding involvement with the Oamaru Harness Racing Club for the past 50 years was recognised with the significant contribution award.
Simpson has held many positions not only on the Oamaru committee, but also on the joint grounds committee and as a trustee of the Oamaru Racecourse Reserve since 1980.
He was an honorary stipendiary steward for many years before the creation of the Racing Integrity Unit, performing stipendiary duties for trials in North Otago and South Canterbury.
Phil Williamson predictably won trainer of the year, his 58 wins all coming from trotters. He was particularly appreciative of a video message from good friend Tony Herlihy.
Otago harness awards
The winners
2yr-old pacing colt/gelding, Eamon Maguire; 2yr-old trotting filly, Madison Jane; 3yr-old pacing colt/gelding, Zenmach; 3yr-old pacing filly, Hopes And Dreams; 3yr-old trotting colt/gelding, Blazing Under Fire; 3yr-old trotting filly, Alderbeck; 4yr-old pacing entire/gelding, Titan Banner; 4yr-old pacing mare, Motu Moonbeam; 4yr-old trotting entire/gelding, Springbank Eden; 4yr-old trotting mare, Springbank Eden; 5yr-old and older pacing entire/gelding, Belkmyster; 5yr-old and older pacing mare, Maybe Flyin; 5yr-old and older trotting entire/gelding, Springbank Sam; 5yr-old and older trotting mare, Pyramid Monarch; trainer, Phil Williamson; driver, Brad Williamson; junior driver, Brad Williamson; broodmare excellence, Bethany; breeder of the year, Arden Lodge; Otago-owned horse, Field Marshal; young achiever, Genevieve Crawford; significant contribution, Neville Simpson; Otago harness horse of the year, Titan Banner.
