My Man Dan, winner of the Marlborough Cup yesterday, is proving a great Christmas present.
Grant Hatton, of Christchurch, who has raced several horses, both standardbred and thoroughbred, gave My Man Dan to his wife, Kath, and three daughters as a Christmas present last month.
He bought the 4yr-old from the Sales Team No 2 syndicate.
My Man Dan was transferred to the Burnham stable of Mark Jones and the gelding has won three of his four starts since a change of stable five weeks ago.
My Man Dan won at Addington on December 17, three days after changing stables.
He also won the Cup Prelude on Friday.
The Pacific Rocket gelding had won four races when trained by Kevin Fairbairn.
My Man Dan had been off the winning list for nine months when he joined the Jones stable.
Lighting Raider gave owners Jim and Susan and Wakefield and trainer Cran Dalgety their second Pelorus Classic win yesterday.
They won the feature with London Legend in 2004.
The favourite, Second Wind, winner of his previous four starts, weakened to eighth after leading.
Hazel von Opzeeland, the West Melton owner, had further success with progeny of the broodmare Baptism Of Fire when Highview Chartom cleared maiden ranks yesterday.
Von Opzeeland is in the ownership of Highview Tommy, a half-brother by Bettor's Delight to Highview Chartom. Highview Tommy has won 12 races, including the Harness Jewels for 2yr-olds and the Tuapeka Cup.
Highview Tommy and Highview Chartom are both trained by Mark Purdon and Grant Payne.
Highview Chartom, a 3yr-old filly by Elsu, was having her third start.
She is co-owned by Dave and Wendy Clark, of Riverton, who operate Highview Standardbred Ltd.
Baptism Of Fire, an unraced Christian Cullen mare, is being bred from by their son, Allan, who will offer a brother to Highview Tommy at the premier yearling sale next month.
Highview Chartom was bought by von Opzeeland for $45,000 at the premier yearling sale.
The Clarks then came into the ownership.
Hezanoperator cracked a pastern when he faltered at the 1800m in race 7.
He caused checks to Va Va Voom, Magicol, Touch Of Rose, Great Place and Left Alive.
Shelley Baikie was discharged from hospital last night after being injured in a fall at the Morrinsville meeting at Te Aroha yesterday.
"She has severely pulled ligaments in a shoulder and she will be off work for a month to six weeks," Todd Mitchell, her employer said.
Baikie was unseated from Sophie Brydon soon after the start of race 4.
Sammy Maguire (Mach Three-Mystic Gold) won the $A50,000 Bendigo Cup on Saturday night in a 1.59.4 mile rate for the 2650m (mobile).
He won by 2.6m from Mr Feelgood.
Kiwi Ingenuity, who is in the Premier Mares Championship on Friday night, won a workout at Rangiora on Saturday.
She won by two lengths from Baileys Dream in 2.30.3 for 2000m (mobile).
Baileys Dream has not raced since he finished second to Auckland Reactor at Cambridge in January last year.
Fastroundtown won his qualifying test by six and a-half lengths at Waikouaiti on Saturday in 3.20.4 for 2400m, 1.6sec inside the required time.
He is a 3yr-old by Courage Under Fire from Fast Winger, owned and trained by Ray Beale.
Fastroundtown is a a half-brother to Armbro Winger (five wins), Move Heaven Andearth (three) and Almost A Christian (four).
The Perfect Drive returned the fastest time of 11 workout events at the Eastern Districts Picnic Racing Club meeting.
The Perfect Drive, driven by Bradley Williamson, won over 1900m in 2.29.9.
Results:
Qualifying test, pacers, 2400m: Fastroundtown R Beale 1; Rome 2; Rapid Aveross 3.
Five started. 6L, 23L.
Time, 3.20.4 (first two qualified).
Trainer, R Beale.
No trotters qualified.
