Smart galloper scores twice for McKay

Two-time stakes race winner Courte Zarindi was crowned the 2017-18 Southland thoroughbred horse of the year in Invercargill on Saturday.

The Sally McKay-trained galloper was clearly Southland’s best galloper last season with wins in the listed Warstep Stakes at Riccarton and the listed 3yr-old fillies race at Wingatui.

Courte Zarindi also took out the 3yr-old of the year title.

Ascot Park trainer Jo Gordon’s veteran campaigners The Gordonian and Shaara helped her to two titles at the awards.

The Gordonian won stayer of the year and Shaara won sprinter of the year.The miler of the year trophy was won by Flying Sardine.

Her trainer, Kelvin Tyler, won trainer of the year and her regular rider, Brett Murray, won apprentice rider of the year.

Southland jumps jockey Stuart Higgins was crowned Southland’s jockey of the year.

The 2yr-old of the year title went to Sabin Kirkland’s Going To War.

The horse won his only start at Riccarton in March.