Southland harness racing's leading lady, Somejoy, has run her last race.
The Clark Barron-trained pacer was yesterday withdrawn from the Harness Jewels, which were being considered as a possible swansong.
Somejoy ends her racing career after winning eight of her 20 starts and banking more than $65,000 in stakes. The 4yr-old is owned by her trainer and Eric Parr, of Ashburton, under their Miracle Lodge banner.
Somejoy's value to them as a broodmare outweighed the benefits of continuing to race her.
``She has been withdrawn from the Jewels and retired at the same time, so she is going to the broodmare paddock now,'' Barron said.
Somejoy showed she was above average in her 3yr-old season, gaining two wins and starting in the group 1 fillies' series final at Addinton and the group 2 Southland Oaks.
The Somebeachsomewhere pacer took her career to new levels this season with six wins - breaking 1min 56sec in five of them and claiming a grass-track victory in another.
Her second victory this term in November handed Barron's daughter, Ellie, the first win of her driving career.
Only five days later, Somejoy amazed harness racing fans on the sport's biggest stage when she managed a remarkable comeback after almost being knocked over in the running to win the South Of The Waitaki race at Addington on Show Day.
``Definitely that week, obviously, Ellie's first win was a huge thrill and five days later winning at Addington as well. Between the two they were the most memorable,'' Barron said.
Flawless gait manners and a strong will to win were the keys to the 1.53.2 miler's success, Clark Barron said.
``Her gait and her attitude were pretty much part of it. We have just been lucky that she has been a pretty nice filly all of the way.''
Barron and Parr have not made any firm plans for the first mating of their Somebeach-
somewhere mare, who is from a Bettor's Delight dam.
But it is certain she will be going to a proven, commercial sire.
``We haven't made a decision yet but the top line ones are on the shortlist,'' Barron said.
``Obviously, she can't go to Bettor's Delight and there not too many others left, Art Major perhaps, but we will make a decision before the breeding season.''
Somejoy's withdrawal leaves six Otago-Southland horses in qualifying positions in the Harness Jewels rankings.
They are 4yr-old trotters War Machine and Smokey Mac, 3yr-old trotter Majestic Man, and 2yr-old trotters Oscar Bonavena and Get Lucky.
Duke Of Wellington is still officially in the Harness Jewels 3yr-old pacer rankings, but is expected to head to the spelling paddock soon.
Suspensions.-
Jockeys
C Campbell, careless riding, suspended April 25-May 5; D Bothamley, careless riding, suspended May 19-27; T Harris, careless riding, suspended April 29-May 9; M Du Plessis, careless riding, suspended 29 April-May 5; K Chowdhoory, careless riding, suspended April 29-May 10; S MacNab, excessive whip use, suspended April 30-May 9; J Nason, careless riding, suspended May 6-17; R Myers, careless riding, suspended May 6-12; K Kwo, careless riding, suspended May 3-6; T Comignaghi, careless riding, suspended May 6-16; C Johnson, failed to ride out mount, suspended May 6-26.
Drivers
B Hope, excessive whip use, suspended April 27-May 13; I Schwamm, careless driving, suspended April 27- July 5.
