The Otago Harness Racing Awards will have a new home this year.
The awards, held in Waikouaiti then Palmerston in recent years, will be at The Park Function and Events Centre at Forbury Park on August 13, held with the support of Dunedin Casino.
The Waikouaiti Trotting Club has organised the awards in the past, but has taken a step back this year.
Secretary John Mudie has handed over the reins to an organising committee led by Roxburgh trainer and Forbury Park committee member Geoff Knight, former Forbury Park Trotting Club president Peter Gillespie and Oamaru Harness Racing Club co-secretary Jemma Barltrop.
Knight said representatives from all clubs within Otago had been invited to assist in the organisation of the awards, which will be hosted by Trackside personality Jess Smith.
Leading trainer Robert Dunn will be the guest speaker on the evening.
The judging panel has also been expanded. Previously, the domain of the Otago Daily Times racing editorial staff, this writer will now be joined by Harness Racing New Zealand handicapper Andrew Morris and Otago racing commentator Jason Teaz on a three-person judging panel to decide the category winners and the overall horse of the year.
There will be 23 awards on the night, although up to two more could be added depending on results in the juvenile categories by the end of the season.
Only horses trained in Otago or North Otago are eligible for the awards, and only the races they ran in while being trained within the region will count in the voting.
However, there is also an award this year for the best Otago-owned horse.
Another new category is for the young achiever, which can be awarded to any young person under the age of 25 involved in harness racing. Nominations for that award and the significant contribution award can be emailed to matt.smith@odt.co.nz, along with reasons supporting the nomination.
The dress code for the awards evening is smart casual, and tickets are available through Jemma Barltrop at jemma@oamaruhrc.co.nz.
Tickets are $40 which covers dinner and some refreshments. Door sales will be available, but group bookings are required in advance
Finalists (in alphabetical order)
•2yr-old pacing male: Eamon Maguire; 2yr-old trotting filly: Madison Jane, Winnie McGoogan.
•3yr-old pacing male: Fiery Ferret, Zenmach; 3yr-old pacing filly: Clifton Tactic, Cullen Who, Hopes And Dreams, Mossdale Sue, Stunnin VC; 3yr-old trotting male: Blazing Under Fire, Sam Galleon, Winners Shout; 3yr-old trotting filly: Alderbeck, Danielle Amore.
•4yr-old pacing male: American Spirit, Expresso Martini, Onedin Onyx, Sovereign Banner, Titan Banner; 4yr-old pacing mare: Culler Coded, Motu Moonbeam, Nui Le, Smokin Bird; 4yr-old trotting male: Brads Kenny, De Vito, Its Elvis, Montmorensy, Springbank Eden; 4yr-old trotting mare: Flurry, Le Lievre's Gift, Madam Spur, Royal Kenny, Spur Wing.
•5yr-old and older pacing male: Belkmyster, Elusive Flight, Four Starzzz Shiraz, Jerry Fitz, Motu Speedy Star, The Persuader; 5yr-old and older pacing mare: Better To Be Bad, Gene Time, Maybe Flyin; 5yr-old and older trotting male: Father Christmas, Feather Boyz, Heard The Whisper, Monty Python, Pyramid Magic, Springbank Sam; 5yr-old and older trotting mare: Grace Lightning, Pyramid Monarch, Ruby's Jewel.
•Driver: Brad Williamson, Matthew Williamson
•Junior driver: Rory McIlwrick, Brad Williamson
•Trainer: Graeme Anderson, Geoff and Jude Knight, Phil Williamson
•Broodmare excellence: Bethany, Foreal, Tosca Hanover
•Breeders of the year: Announced on the night
•Best Otago-owned horse: Field Marshal, Heaven Rocks
•Horse Of The Year: Decided from the category winners
