New Zealand's two most exciting pacers, Lazarus and Heaven Rocks, will both feature at this month's Otago Harness Racing Awards.
Heaven Rocks will battle it out with fellow racetrack stars with Otago connections Bonnie Joan, Field Marshal, Titan Banner and his All Stars stablemate Ultimate Machete in the award for the best Otago owned racehorse.
The winner will be announced at a gala dinner ceremony at Forbury Park on September 30th.
Lazarus' brilliant last season has earned his dam, Bethany, a nomination for the Broodmare Excellence award.
Wave Runner, the dam of dual New Zealand record breaking filly Bonnie Joan and Foreal, the dam of recent group 1 Len Smith Mile winner Field Marshal are also nominated for the award.
Wave Runner is also represented by Break Dance, who leads the nominations for the 5yr-old and older pacing mares section alongside Maybe Flyin, Okains Bay and Sweet As.
Otago's two leading stables dominate the nominations for the racehorse categories at the awards.
Phil Williamson trained horses hold 17 nomination over 14 racehorse categories, while Anderson's has 10 nominations.
Naturally, both trainers are nominated for trainer of the year alongside Geoff and Jude Knight.
Williamson's three stars Majestic Connies, Majestic Man and Springbank Lachie will battle out a intriguing 2yr-old trotters section.
Williamson is guaranteed at least three wins as he trains all of the nominees for the 3yr-old male trotting and 4yr-old male trotting categories as well.
Anderson is also guaranteed at least one win, with his runners All Star Magician, Bakari and Eamon Maguire holding nominations for the 3yr-old male pacers award.
An Otago horse of the year will be chosen from the winners of each of the racehorse categories.
A significant contribution to Otago harness racing award and a young achiever's award will also be announced on the night.
2yr-old trotting male: Majestic Connies, Majestic Man, Springbank Lachie.
3yr-old pacing male: All Star Magician, Bakari, Eamon Maguire.
3yr-old pacing filly: Motu Time To Shine, Skylla, Susies Desire.
3yr-old trotting male: Muscle Moment, Jeddy R Ya Ready.
3yr-old trotting filly: Kiwi Crusher, Madison Jane, She Aint No Angel, Zoey's Gift, Pres The Belle.
4yr-old pacing male: Fiery Ferret, Go Getta, Silver Dale.
4yr-old pacing mare: Clifton Tactic, Idealistic Lass, Hopes And Dreams, Seduce Me.
4yr-old trotting male: Astral Ruler, Blazing Under Fire, Sam Galleon.
4yr-old trotting mare: Alderbeck, Barham Belle, Midnight Fever, Danielle Amore.
5yr-old+ pacing male: Alexy, Sovereign Banner, Playboy Prince, Titan Banner.
5yr-old+ pacing mare:Break Dance, Maybe Flyin, Okains Bay, Sweet As.
5yr-old+ trotting male: Brads Kenny, Monty Python, Dusky Eyre, Playboy's Brother, Pyramid Magic.
5yr-old+ trotting mare: Bobbins, Och Aye The Noo, Ygritte.
Driver: Brad Williamson, Matthew Williamson, Rory McIlwrick.
Junior driver: Rory McIlwrick.
Trainer: Graeme Anderson, Geoff and Jude Knight, Phil Williamson.
Broodmare excellence: Bethany, Foreal, Wave Runner.
Breeders of the year: Arden Lodge, Gavin Chin, Syd & Shona Brown, Tuapeka Lodge.
Best Otago-owned horse: Bonnie Joan, Field Marshal, Heaven Rocks, Titan Banner, Ultimate Machete.
