Bellew in the action

Sean Bellew
Sean Bellew
Sean Bellew, president of the Southland Racing Club, figured as the owner and trainer of two winners at Ascot Park yesterday, the day after announcing major plans for the venue.

He won yesterday with Winawinachikndina and Micktheshu.

Bellew said on Saturday that $750,000 in funding from the Invercargill Licensing Trust had been confirmed for a $4.75 million equestrian centre at Ascot Park.

The Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association is advancing $1 million to the project, to be know as Apec (Ascot Pastoral Equine Centre).

The association has sold the showgrounds and recently staged a successful show at Ascot Park.

"We are looking at further funding from the Southland Community Trust to develop a facility for all things equine," Bellew said.

"There will be stabling for 200 horses and the largest indoor area of unimpeded expanse in Australia or New Zealand."

He said the new facilities would place Ascot Park in an excellent position to introduce night racing.

Micktheshu was ridden by Darryl Bradley, who rode four winners at Trentham on Saturday.

He also won on She Noze yesterday.

The late arrival of Bradley and other riders Chris Johnson, Centaine Spittles, Jillian Morris, Jamie Bates and chief stipendiary steward Reid Sanders caused the meeting to be put back one race.

The group was ferried to the course from Queenstown in a helicopter after low cloud closed Invercargill airport.

Spittles and Bates each rode two winners.

Tomohiro Sasada, Michelle Wenn and Lee Callaway were suspended for careless riding at the Waikato meeting at Rapa on Saturday.

Sasada was suspended until midnight on March 28.

He admitted allowing his mount Cape Fear to shift in at the 200m in race 8, hampering Crossword and Watch My Step.

Wenn was suspended from midnight next Saturday until midnight on April 1.

She admitted allowing Ebony Dream to shift in at the 200m in race 6, causing a check to Sun Valley.

Callaway was suspended from midnight on Thursday until midnight on March 27.

He admitted allowing Sun Valley to shift in 100m after the start of race 6, checking The Perfect Storm.

Lisa Allpress and Buddy Lammas were suspended until midnight on Friday for careless riding at Wanganui on Thursday.

Trainer Lisa Latta has been fined $500 for presenting the wrong horse in a trial on February 13. 

Add a Comment