December Newsletter 2011
2011 what a year we have had! To those of my clients that have been effected direct and indirect of the earthquakes Canterbury you have done extremely well in coming through it and maintaining your humility and sense of humour. The country has had some bright spots and sports have played a major part in brightening us up. We have had the Rugby World Cup, and can now call the All Blacks “World Champions” again (sorry to my Australian clients). But closer to home there will be many of you that will be able to claim goals that you will have set for yourselves over the year.
During this year a lot of work has been done around the stables. The treadmill has been established as a training tool for the Stables horses as well as for outside clients. The facilities has been added for the stable to be able to grow, another barn with 8 boxes has been added to the main 11 box barn. 2 sand yards has been built especially for the horses that due to injury or other reason need to be in a confined space to supplement box rest.
The breeding part of Abernethy Stables has moved of the farm, and our “ladies” now have their own paddocks across the road. This to make more room and grass for our racehorses. We still like to keep the foals on the farm. And since the broodmares has got their own space, we can now do some spelling on farm. A great plus to be able to keep an eye on them even when the racehorses aren’t training!
There are further developments of the farm planned for 2012. Everyone are welcome to come and do an inspection!
Abernethy Racing Stables is very proud to be associated with a very talented group of clients who, I think, are all champions. The family of clients have this year celebrated marriages, births, and most importantly race results, business results as well as many of your own personal achievements. Hence I would not like to name anyone in particular for their specific achievement as I consider you all equally important. Well Done!
So for 2012, firstly I hope you and your families all continue to maintain good health and prosperity. Secondly it would be nice to see some stability.
Abernethy Racing Stables has had a great year of growth and I sincerely thank so many of you who have passed on my details to possible clients.
Well finally us at Abernethy Racing Stables look forward to continuing our association in 2012 and would like to wish you all a very safe, enjoyable and Happy Christmas and New Year.
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Horses due to race in December are:
Henrik Zetterberg, Just Julia, Kotare Casino, Mahogany, Makarewa Man, Our Southern Man, River Emperor, Sun Of Loose & Hot Wired
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New Additions to Abernethy Racing Stables are:
Sun Of Loose up from Gavin Smith Stable
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This Season Foals are as Follows :
Waipipi Belle – Bettor’s Delight (Filly)
Tricky Clout – Lis Mara (Filly)
Waipipi Lass – Gotta Go Cullect (Filly)
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Horses Sold / Retired in the last few months are:
Kiwi Cloud has been retired
And Here’s Johnny has been sold and will race out of Kerry Smith Qld stable we wish the new owners all the best and hope he keeps winning for them.
We have Mahogany & Hot Wired for sale at the moment, More info can be found on the website under horses for sale.
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Hydro Tread Mill
Our Treadmill horses are having pleasing results on the racetrack. During December we will be continue to run a Special rate. The normal charges for full board is $65 plus GST per day. The Special Rates for full board will be $55 plus Gst per day.
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Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or adding it to the website form page.
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2 year olds & Yearlings:
The 2yos updates are as follows:
Waipipi Falcon / Mara’s illusion / Platinum Roulette have all resumed work we will look to take them further this time around.
The Yearlings
We are currently breaking in the 3 colts these are, McArdle – Belfry Lady, Lis Mara – Tricky & Gotta Go Cullect – G I Jane.
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Sweden Trip
Myself & Lisa have been away in Sweden to spend time with Lisa’s Family for xmas. We have enjoyed the short break but are looking forward to getting back to the horses, we land in Auckland on the 28th December and I will be back driving at Waipa on the 29th December.
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Stable Visits
If anyone wants to come and view the stables or hydro treadmill please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to make a time for you.
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Shares Available
Join a syndicate and experience the excitement of meeting new people and winning races!
We have a few horses that have shares available from as little as $100 per month fixed rate
Horses currently Available are
Sister Courage
For more information please see shares available on the website www.abernethyracingstables.co.nz or email jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
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Stables Stars:
Henrik Zetterberg
Is racing really well at present he will Continue to race at Auckland where the good stakes are before heading to NSW early next year.
Kotare Casino
Raced well first up but put in a below average run second up. So we had to get vets to check her over we plan on getting her right before she races again.
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Horses needing names:
We have a few horses still needing names all suggestions are welcome
1yo - Belfry Lady – Mcardle (Colt)
1yo – Tricky Clout – Lis Mara (Colt)
0yo – Waipipi Belle – Bettor’s Delight (Filly)
0yo – Tricky Clout – Mach Three (Filly)
Please email names suggestion’s to jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
December horse to follow is Just Julia, She is running good races at present and seems to be able to race tough if required. She will race on the 22nd December at Auckland then we will look to freshen her up for the northland meeting early January as she is own in northland would be good to win on the owners home track.
Henrik Zetterberg will return to Sydney
As much as trainer Jay Abernethy would like to keep Henrik Zetterberg in New Zealand he admits he will have to send him back home in the New Year. Well, to his second home at least. Henrik Zetterberg recorded his fourth New Zealand win when he returned to form at Alexandra Park last Friday, downing some high class opponents like Delight Brigade and Jaccullembra. His 27.7 second last 400m on a 1.59.6 mile for the 2200m suggested he will have few problems working his way through the grades in New Zealand, especially with his gate speed.
But that isn’t the plan with Henrik Zetterberg, who will head back to his other home in Sydney in January. He raced there with success as a 3-year-old, winning four races including an Australasian Breeders Crown heat.
That was when he was trained by Peter Russo, who Abernethy has a great strike rate selling successful horses to.
Henrik Zetterberg returned to Abernethy’s care at the end of that 3-year-old season but was struck down by a virus last season, ruining his 4-year-old year.
He has come back best this season and Abernethy says the plan is to return to Sydney to chase the big money coming on line at Menangle in the New Year. “At this stage he goes over there as an M0 and he can race for a lot bigger money there,” said Abernethy. “So that is the best place for him, although we will race him here over Christmas carnival.” Abernethy knows he is letting his best horse go and would love to keep him here as the flagship horse for his stable. “But when you own part of them it makes sense to send them where the money is. “ He raced well in Sydney before and I think the style over there suits him so we will definitely send him back. “But it is great to have him here for at least part of the summer.” Henrik Zetterberg is your typical son of Mach Three, a freegoing speedster but has plenty of breeding on the dam’s side, being out of the Abernethy family’s good mare Soky’s Belle. For the meantime he is the headline act of the Jay’s 12-horse stable. “We have some nice young horses at home so we have a bit to go on with.”
Welcome to the November newsletter. The last few months have resulted in a good start to the season for Abernethy Racing Stables, let’s hope this continues. This month we have a big race team so hopefully the results will be pleasing.
Horses due to race in November are:
And Here’s Johnny, Belle Arsing, Henrik Zetterberg, Just Julia, Kotare Casino, Mahogany, Makarewa Man, Diana On Fire, Our Southern Man, Kiwi Cloud, River Emperor & Hot Wired
New Additions to Abernethy Racing Stables are:
Kiwi Cloud up from Bryce Buchannan Stable
Hot Wired up from Russell Williams Stable
Kingdom of Heaven (Hydro Treadmill) from Ted Edwards
This Season Foals are as Follows :
Waipipi Belle – Bettor’s Delight (Filly)
Tricky Clout – Lis Mara (Filly)
Waipipi Lass – Gotta Go Cullect (Filly)
Horses Sold / Retired in the last few months are:
Rico Gear has been sold to NSW and will race out of John Scott Stables we wish John all the best with him.
We have And Here’s Johnny, Kiwi Cloud, Our Southern Man, Makarewa Man & Mahogany for sale at the moment, More info can be found on the website under horses for sale.
Hydro Tread Mill
Our Treadmill horses are having pleasing results on the racetrack. During November we will be running a Special rate. The normal charges for full board is $65 plus GST per day. The Special Rates for full board will be $55 plus Gst per day.
Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or adding it to the website form page.
2 year olds & Yearlings:
The 2yos updates are as follows:
Waipipi Falcon / Mara’s illusion / Platinum Roulette have all been run up over a mile and did everything right. They are now out spelling and are due back end of November.
The Yearlings
We are currently breaking in the 3 colts these are, McArdle – Belfry Lady, Lis Mara – Tricky & Gotta Go Cullect – G I Jane.
New Staff Member :
Anna Brunlof, from Sweden has been joining the team this month. She brings valuable experience from among others top French trainer Fabrice Souloy and Swedish trainers Olle and Bjorn Goop. We are convinced that this addition of a staff member like Anna with international trotting experience from top trainers will benefit the team immensely! Stable Visits
If anyone wants to come and view the stables or hydro treadmill please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to make a time for you.
Shares Available
Join a syndicate and experience the excitement of meeting new people and winning races!
We have a few horses that have shares available from as little as $100 per month fixed rate
Horses currently Available are
Diana Of Fire & Sister Courage
For more information please see shares available on the website or email
www.abernethyracingstables.co.nz
jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
Stables Stars:
Henrik Zetterberg
He went a very good race first up this time around, He will race at the Auckland meeting over the next month.
Kotare Casino
Is currently strong working she will be due to trail mid-November with the aim of racing later in the month.
Horses needing names:
We have a few horses needing names all suggestions are welcome
1yo - Belfry Lady – Mcardle (Colt)
1yo – Tricky Clout – Lis Mara (Colt)
0yo – Waipipi Belle – Bettor’s Delight (Filly)
0yo – Tricky Clout – Mach Three (Filly)
Please email names suggestion’s to
jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
November horse to follow is Henrik Zetterberg, He is has come back really good,
his trails/workouts results suggest it shouldn´t take too long for him to pick one up.
Henrik Zetterberg ready to rumble for Abernethy 
It's a big night for Jay Abernethy at Alexandra Park tonight - the Papakura horseman has three of his team entered as well as four outside drives.
Top of the list is his stable star Henrik Zetterberg, who resumes after three searching workouts.
Abernethy says the son of Mach Three, who has had 16 starts in Australia over the past two seasons, is ready to rumble.
Among his Australian exploits was an Australian Breeders' Crown heat win and placings in both the Newcastle and Queensland Derbies of 2010.
"He can probably go 2:41 or 2:42 [for the 2200m]. Anything quicker and he blow out,'' he told Racing Times.
"He ran second to Sir Lincoln in his first workout, then won at Cambridge in 2:43 and followed that up with a second after sitting parked last week.''
Abernethy said the robust gelding had come back from his break big and burly.
"That's why we gave him three trials. He needed a couple of decent hitouts.''
The horse has no lofty domestic ambitions, Abernethy instead looking back towards another Australian campaign with his close friends Peter Russo and Ashlee Seijka in Bathurst.
"We will see where things are but eventually he will go back to Menangle. With the handicaps he is still an M0 and that suits him a lot better. The stakes are far better as well.
"He's not 100 per cent from the stand so as soon as we know he's back to his best he will head over.''
Such decisions are normal for Abernethy, who is part of a new generation of trainers thinking outside the square.
He has an impressive and continuously-updated website that offers updates on horses and facilities, as well as shares in youngsters and even imported products that he sells.
He installed an expensive and highly-effective below-ground water walker last year that is now well-patronised by his horses and many trainers.
"Charge Forward has been using it. He spent two and a half months on there. And [Waikato trotter] Kingdom Of Heaven is here using it at the moment.''
Another horse benefiting from it is Our Southern Man, who came up from Gavin Smith's stable to utilise the walker and race right-handed.
"The treadmill has really helped him and Henrik Zetterberg,'' Abernethy said.
Our Southern Man races tonight in the Franklin Cup Prelude after the claiming race was scrapped.
"He did go good last week but there are a few horses better than him in there this week,'' Abernethy said"He is a one-trick pony, though, and I don't know if drawing one from the stand will suit him.''
Completing the Abernethy team tonight is newcomer Hot Wired, who Abernethy has leased from Canterbury horseman Russell Williams.
"I've only had him a week and a half. They sent him up to me saying that he goes better right-handed and has run a quarter in 26 at Ashburton.
"He has worked OK but he's drawn wide in a handy field so we will be going back with him.''
Of his outside drives, Abernethy said the Doug Gale-trained trotter Illuminati was a leading contender again.
September & October Newsletter 2011
Welcome to the September & October newsletter. The last few months have resulted in a good start to the season for Abernethy Racing Stables, let’s hope this continues. The young horses are starting to shape up very nicely. And we are looking forward to the next few months ahead.
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Horses due to race in September & October are:
And Here’s Johnny, Belle Arsing, Henrik Zetterberg, Just Julia, Kotare Casino, Mahogany, Makarewa Man, Our Southern Man, & Rico Gear.
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New Additions to Abernethy Racing Stables are:
There hasn’t been any new horses turn up in the last month but there is always room for more.
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Horses Sold / Retired in the last few months are:
Selling has been a bit quite in the last month. We have And Here’s Johnny, Rico Gear, Our Southern Man, Makarewa Man & Mahogany for sale at the moment, More info can be found on the website under horses for sale.
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Hydro Tread Mill
Our Treadmill horses are having pleasing results on the racetrack. During October & November we will be running a Special rate for any horses who come for the hydro treadmill. The normal charges for full board is $65 plus GST per day. The Special Rates for full board will be $55 plus GST per day.
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Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or adding it to the website form page.
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2 year olds:
The 2yos updates are as follows.
Waipipi Falcon / Mara’s illusion / Platinum Roulette are working nicely in the cart time will tell how far they will get this time in.
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Wormers:
We have two types of wormers for sale. Ammo all wormer paste $13 plus gst. & Noromectin worming paste $8.5 plus gst. For more info check out them out on the website under stable products for sale.
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Stable Visits
If anyone wants to come and view the stables or hydro treadmill please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to make a time for you.
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Shares Available
Join a syndicate and experience the excitement of meeting new people and winning races!
We have a few horses that have shares available from as little as $100 per month fixed rate
For more information please see shares available on the website or email
www.abernethyracingstables.co.nz
jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
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Stables Stars:
Henrik Zetterberg
Is currently working really well will be seen at the trails/ workouts shortly will an aim of late October racing.
Kotare Casino
Is currently working on the hydro treadmill she will be looking at resuming strong working shortly. It shouldn’t take her long to get back to the trails and races when the better stakes are on offer.
September horse to follow is Our Southern Man, He is racing really well at present, it shouldn’t take him too long to pick one up.
June & July Newsletter 2011
Welcome to the June & July newsletter. A lot has happened in last couple of months. There has been a lot of rain, the young horses are starting to shape up and the older ones have been sold on. We are looking forward to the next few months ahead.
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Horses due to race in June & July are:
Painted Black, And Here’s Johnny, Mahogany, Our Southern Man, River Emperor,
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New Additions to Abernethy Racing Stables are:
River Emperor 2yo Bay Gelding Julius Caesar-River Towel
Our Southern Man 7yo Bay Gelding Jeremys Gambit-Champaign Jaccka (sent up from CHCH trainer Gavin Smith)
Rico Gear 6yo Bay Gelding Badlands Hanover- Shez My Jaccka
Just Julia 2yo Bay Filly Julius Caesar-Quick N Enuff
Mahogany 5yo I Am A Fool-Art Of War
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Horses Sold / Retired in the last few months are:
Rocket King (now racing in NSW under Justa Rocket King)
T K Talaria (retired to Stud)
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Hydro Tread Mill
The hydro treadmill is in full swing we have had quite a few horses that have completed their courses, and the race day results are very pleasing. There are still a few spaces for July so if anyone is interested please give us a call. The charges for full board is $65 plus GST per day, and drop in rates are $45 plus GST per day.
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Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or adding it to the website form page.
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2 year olds:
The 2yos updates are as follows.
River Emperor Won trail impressive due to race shortly.
Red Belle Hanover is in the strong work stage.
Diana On Fire Strong working nicely so far so good.
Sister Courage Started to grow again so will be spelled and will resume mid-August.
Belle Arising Fast working nicely should be trailing late July.
Just Julia due to start strong working in July.
Told You So is out spelling will be due to resume work in July
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Stable Visits
If anyone wants to come and view the stables or hydro treadmill please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to make a time for you.
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Shares Available
Join a syndicate and experience the excitement of meeting new people and winning races!
We have a few horses that have shares available from as little as $100 per month fixed rate
For more information please see shares available on the website or email
www.abernethyracingstables.co.nz
jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
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Stables Stars:
Henrik Zetterberg
Is Currently spelling and is due to resume in August.
Kotare Casino
Is looking at resuming strong work in July. Happy to have her back seems really well in herself.
July horse to follow is River Emperor, If we find a suitable race he could be one to follow judging by his work so far.
March/April Newsletter 2011
Welcome to the March & April newsletter. A lot has happened in last couple of months. The highlight’s were Sushi Sushi winning the great northern derby. And Five Card Draw selling very well at the yearlings sales.--------------------------------------------------------------------
Yearling Sales Have been and gone.
Abernethy Racing Stables had one lot entered in the 2011 Australasian Classic Sale. Lot 59 Five Card Draw (Bettor’s Delight – Blistering Belle) he was Sold to Barry Purdon Clients for $57500
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Horses due to race in April are:
Henrik Zetterberg, Painted Black, Here’s Johnny, Jackpot Girl, Young Cullen, Makarewa Man & Rocket King
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New Additions to Abernethy Racing Stables are:
Diana On Fire 2yo Bay Filly Courage Under Fire - Shark Bromac
Sister Courage 2yo Bay Filly Courage Under Fire - Universal Port
Rocket King 4yo Bay Gelding Pacific Rocket – Duadeal
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Hydro Tread Mill
The hydro treadmill is in full swing we have had quite a few horses that have completed their courses, and the race day results are very pleasing including Sushi Sushi winning the Northern Derby. There are still a few spaces for April so if anyone is interested please give us a call. The charges for full board is $65 plus GST per day, and drop in rates are $45 plus GST per day.
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Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or adding it to the website form page.
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2 year olds:
The 2yos updates are as follows.
Red Belle Hanover is due to come back into work after a 6 week break.
Diana On Fire and Sister Courage have just been leased from there owner John Rennie, they are heading north at the moment.
Belle Arising and Told You So are both out spelling will be due to resume work mid-May.
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Stable Visits
Abernethy Racing Stables would like to thank everyone who made it out to watch Charged Forward and Henrik Zetterberg in the Hydro Treadmill last Saturday 2nd April 2011.
We will be having more open days later in the year.
In the meantime if anyone wants to come and view the stables or hydro treadmill please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to make a time for you.
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Shares Available
Join a syndicate and experience the excitement of meeting new people and winning races!
We have a few horses that have shares available from as little as $100 per month fixed rate
For more information please see shares available on the website or email
www.abernethyracingstables.co.nz
jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
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Stables Stars:
Henrik Zetterberg
Is trailing very well at present he is due to race this Friday 8th April
Kotare Casino
Is enjoying a break after a busy first half of the season.
April horse to follow is Henrik Zetterberg, He had a slight let up to recover from a viral infection following a below par performance last start. He has since had 2 trails back for a 1st and 2nd so seems to be back on track.
Reklaws Chance enjoys ideal Inter-Dom build up.
22/3/11
Canterbury pacer Reklaw’s Chance proved he’s as ready as he’ll ever be for his biggest career test this week with an impressive win in Sunday’s Manawatu Cup in Palmerston North.
After missing the first night of the meeting on Thursday, Reklaw’s Chance was fresh and charging for the meeting’s feature and despite being in one of the best fields assembled for the race in some time he was able to dominate his rivals in the run to the line.
Reklaw’s Chance made a sweeping midrace move for Jay Abernethy to find the front. He took that off River Field who had been the previous sweeping move to find the front.
In a race of changes and a fairly relentless pace, the toughness that saw Reklaw’s Chance place over 3200m in 3.58.9 stand to in him the finish of the hectic 2500m mobile. He held a three-length advantage over Manhattan Rusty in the finish with a further length and three-quarters back to race favourite, Pay me Cullen, in third.
Though his form on paper mightn’t have looked too sharp for the race, the Manawatu Cup was just Reklaw’s Chance’s fourth start in a race this season that wasn’t a Group race. The win his second of the season and would surely bolters connections confidence heading into the Inter-Dominions this Friday where he’s currently a $200-1 chance.
Sushi's sweet Northern Derby draw
09 March 2011
Sushi Sushi delighted connections in winning the 2011 Alabar Victoria Derby.
Greg Sugars’ prayers were answered when Sushi Sushi drew barrier one for this Friday night’s NZ$400,000 Group 1 Northern Derby Final at Auckland’s Alexandra Park.
The gun young reinsman feared the Freddy Taiba-trained excitement machine had used up all his luck when he drew barrier one in last Friday night’s heat, but was thrilled to learn he landed the same slot for the 2700-metre decider.
“We were due for a change of luck,” he said. “The last two big ones we’d been in, the Breeders Crown and the Victoria Derby, he drew seven and 11 so he was due for a good barrier in one of the good races.
“It adds to the pressure I guess, adds to the expectation, but he’s shown he handles the track quite well and he ran the gate quite well from barrier one last week , so there’s no reason why he shouldn’t do the same again this week.”
It’s an advantageous draw for not only Sushi Sushi – who assured short-priced favouritism no matter where he drew thanks to an arrogant heat win – but also Sugars, who hadn’t driven in the anti-clockwise direction before last weekend.
“The horse seemed to handle it quite well, it didn’t worry him at all, but from a driver’s perspective you do see things very differently,” Sugars said.
“The thing that surprised me most was actually judging the pace of the race. I’m not sure why it is, but for some reason going in the opposite direction it seems to feel like you’re going quicker than what you actually are.”
Although untouched by Sugars over the final 200m last week, Sushi Sushi produced a 55.8-second last half mile – including a 27.6sec final quarter – to hold off Terror To Love and Statesman in 1:58.9. That was 0.8secs slower than Major Mark went to win the other heat.
Sugars ominously predicted the Art Major colt, a raging $1.50 favourite in the New Zealand TAB’s fixed odds Derby market, would be better this weekend.
“He hadn’t really done a lot since the Derby final here (Victoria) and was actually a bit fresh going into the race,” Sugars said. “He raced a touch keener than what he normally does in his races, so I’d expect him to be a bit sharper this week.”
Sushi Sushi fared better than Victoria’s other Northern Derby hope, Ian Dornauf’s Royal Verdict, at the barrier draw for the event that will be run at 6:55pm AEDT and will be shown live on Sky 2.
The star colt, on loan to Tony Herlihy while across the Tasman, proved his Victoria Derby flop was an aberration with a promising second to Major Mark in his heat but drew gate 13 – five horses wide on the second row – in the 15-horse final.
Royal Verdict is a $12 chance with the Mark Purdon and Grant Payne-trained Major Mark the $5 second favourite after drawing to trail Sushi Sushi from inside the back row (barrier nine).
Headlining Friday night’s card, at 7:55pm, is the $400,000 Group 1 Auckland Cup (2700m), in which Australia’s hopes rest with Im Themightyquinn, Mr Feelgood and Washakie, while gun Victorians Sundons Gift and Let Me Thru do battle in the $30,000 Group 3 City Of Sails Trot (2700m) at 8:25pm.
Banjo Paterson Attracts Jack That’s Gold
10 March 2011
The Carnival of Cups returns to Orange this Sunday for the club’s feature meeting of the year and the feature event “The Banjo Paterson” has attracted a strong field including the Peter Russo trained Jack Thats Gold. The five year old hasn’t raced since Boxing Day when he finished down the track behind Holy Camp Boy at Bathurst but Russo is happy with the son of Presidential Ball since his break.
“We gave him a month off after his run in the Shirley Turnbull Memorial because he seemed to be racing a little bit flat but since his four week spell he has come back a lot better” Russo said.
“He has had the two trials to prepare him for his resumption on the weekend and won his trial on Monday night at Bathurst so I decided it was time for him to go back to the races and the race at Orange is the perfect way for him to start his campaign.”
Jack Thats Gold has charged through the grades after winning 10 of his last 22 starts and Russo acknowledges that he is starting to become difficult to place in winnable races.
“He came here as a C2 and is now M3 and when they get to that grade it is always nice to find them a race to resume in without having to take them to Menangle and watch them get run off their feet.”
“I don’t know how much further he can go to be honest so this preparation will tell us where to go next.”
The Banjo Paterson Pace will be race six on Sunday at Orange and will begin at 5:34pm. The meeting will be covered on Sky Racing 2.
Sushi Sushi wins Derby
'It's like being in love for the very first time.' Not surprisingly, the owner gushing superlatives, Adriano Cendron, is of Italian descent, but he says no other words can describe the overwhelming excitement he and his three mates are getting from racing Friday night's harness racing $400,000 Woodlands Stud Northern Derby hero, Sushi Sushi.
"It's a pleasure even cleaning up Sushi's poo," Cendron said, moments after the Australian-trained three-year-old outgunned Anvils Top Gun and Terror To Love in the $400,000 feature at Alexandra Park. "There's nothing this horse can't do and I think he will reach crazy heights," Cendron said.
"It's frightening really, he has grace, manners, speed, strength, constitution, the ability to handle travel ... he's a star in every way, a once-in-a-lifetime horse. Nothing is too difficult for him - he's met every challenge.
"I wouldn't get sick of talking about this horse all night. That's what a champion racehorse can do for a guy like me."
Cendron and lifelong friends Peter D'Alessi, Anthony Sergi and Paul Sequenzia were looking for some fun when they extended their punting syndicate into buying a few yearlings five years ago, but never expected the buzz to be so big.
"We're lucky we have a couple of friends with a good eye for young horses and though we've only been in it for five years, we've already had multiple runners in Group I races."
"We could have bought a few ready-made horses but doing that you know what you're getting. Yearlings have that fascination and hope about them" - hope that one will be a champion.
When a long-barrelled Art Major colt came into the sale ring two years ago and the Italian quartet parted with $A38,000 to buy him, they could never have dreamed he'd be the one.
"We've tried to focus on big, healthy horses - most of ours have been 16.5 or 16 hands - I've always believed that a big, strong horse will beat a little strong horse.
"But this one was a bit of a wild colt, we couldn't break him in. His mother Sabilize had been a bit ratty and when he proved too hard to handle we had to cut his personals (geld him)."
Luckily, despite his naughty start, when the boys decided to sell what they thought was the worst of their four horses, it wasn't Sushi. The one they let go was ironically The Hayne Train, who has since won four of his nine starts for Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan.
Sushi Sushi's record of 13 wins from 21 starts could have been even better had a succession of bad draws not dogged his two-year-old career.
This season, with talented young reinsman Greg Sugars in the cart, he is unbeaten in seven, and wins in the Victoria Derby and GN Derby have only served to prompt the Italian bunch and their Lebanese trainer, Freddy Taiba, to map out some major long-term goals.
"The sky's the limit," Cendron said. "We were considering running in both your derbies and the Harness Jewels but after the devastation in Christchurch we've decided to take him home, rest up, then run in the Breeders Challenge in June and the Breeders Crown in August. Next season we'll tackle the Chariots Of Fire and hopefully in 2013 we can run in the Miracle Mile."
Racing: Only way is up for Sushi Sushi
By Michael Guerin - 6/3/11
If you thought Aussie raider Sushi Sushi was imposing at Alexandra Park last night just wait till next Friday. That was the word from driver Greg Sugars after the Victorian pacer won his New Zealand debut untouched last night. The Victoria Derby winner led throughout to down star southerner Terror To Love in the first heat of the $400,000 Woodlands Derby. And while honours were shared as Terror To Love had the harder run, exceptional young reinsman Sugars said the only way is up for Sushi Sushi. "He will definitely improve with that run," said Sugars. "He pulled a bit tonight because the boys hadn't done too much with him since he won the Derby back home. "And his usual pattern is that he gets better with a run under his belt. "That, and the fact he has never raced on the track here before should all combine to make him a better horse next week." Sushi Sushi was already a hot favourite for the Derby before last night's win but could even start odds-on if he draws well at the barrier draw tomorrow afternoon. But while beaten, Terror To Love's co-trainer Paul Court says his colt will improve too. "We knew when the barrier draws came out last Monday we were going to struggle to beat Sushi Sushi because we were going to have to come from behind him. "But our horse went good and he will be fitter for next week too." The pair will be two of the favourites in what is shaping as one of the strongest classics staged at Alexandra Park in years. But Sushi Sushi will have a big New Zealand support base too, courtesy of the Child Cancer Foundation. The CCF launched Child Cancer month at Alexandra Park last night and the Sushi Sushi owners were asked to donate $1000 to the cause if they win the Derby next week. In true Aussie fashion they counter-offered, saying they will donate $5000 to the foundation if they win the Derby. "And it will be Aussie dollars too," they said, getting a huge round of applause from the Tasman Room crowd.
Aussie Derby?
* Australian pacer Sushi Sushi leads throughout to win his heat of the Woodlands Derby last night.
* Driver Greg Sugars says he will improve for next week's Woodlands Derby.
* Canterbury pacer Terror To Love also impressed.
Watch out Kiwis: Sushi Sushi deals to them
Courtesy: Harnesslink Admin 04-Mar-2011
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| Greg Sugars & Freddy Taiba - After Sushi Sushi's easy win |
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Sushi Sushi - A son of Art Major |
'He can only get better.' That was the sharp but frightening sentence that Woodlands Derby harness racing aspirants didn't want to hear heading into next Friday's Group One $400,000 3-year-old feature at Alexandra Park. Those words came from the driver of Derby favourite and Victorian visitor Sushi Sushi.
That driver was Greg Sugars, who said he couldn't be happier with the son of Art Major, who was having his first race-night start at Alexandra Park.
"He handled the corners really well. Much better than I thought he would. He trialled well here earlier in the week and after tonight's run I think he can only get better," Sugars said of the Freddy Taiba trained gelding.
At no stage of the race did Sushi Sushi look like losing. He led from the ace throughout and Sugars said he was always travelling within himself.
"I always thought I had the opposition covered. I never really asked him for anything in the straight," Sugars said.
Sushi Sushi went into tonight's $25,000 Derby heat with an impressive win in last month's Victoria Derby at Melton's Tabcorp Park.
Tonight he paced the 2200m mobile in 2:42.67 (mile rate: 59 flat). He sprinted his last 800m and 400m in 55.8 and 27.6 seconds.
Terror To Love (Jim Curtin) and Statesman (Tony Herlihy) were second and third respectively three quarters of a length and half a head away.
'Sushi Sushi ready to strike' - Freddy Taiba
3/3/2011
Victorian harness racing trainer Freddy Taiba has some sobering news for those hoping the trip to New Zealand and racing clockwise would be Sushi Sushi's undoing in the Northern Derby, heats for which will be run in Auckland this Friday night (February 4).
The Sunbury trainer reported yesterday that the superstar son of Art Major – a scintillating winner of the February 5 Alabar Victoria Derby at his last trip to the races – had settled in beautifully, as evidenced by a sparkling trial last weekend.
“We trialed him over there to give him a bit of a hit out. He trialed against Im Themightyquinn and finished head and head with him without releasing the plugs and he was still hard up on the bit,” Taiba said.
“So he handled the reverse way fine. He’s just amazing this horse, nothing seems to bother him.”
Taiba said the challenging two-year-old season they undertook with Sushi Sushi, which included a trip to Sydney for the Australian Pacing Gold before pushing on to Queensland for the Kevin Seymour Nursery series, was reaping rewards.
“We travelled a fair bit with him as a two-year-old, which has made it a lot of easier for him,” he said. “He knows what it’s like to be away from home and being in New Zealand is horse heaven.”
Any chance Sushi Sushi’s rivals may have had on Friday night probably went out the window when he drew barrier one in the first of two 2200-metre heats. Terror To Love (2) and Hands Christian (7) shape as his biggest threats in the event to be run at 6:05pm AEDT.
Victoria’s other Derby entrant Royal Verdict, who is in the care of Tony Herlihy while across the Tasman, has drawn gate four in the other NZ$25,000 heat (at 7:07pm).
Victoria Derby runner-up Excel Stride is also engaged, to start from gate two, in the heat also containing Vic Derby heat winner Gold Ace (5) and Caduceus Club Cup victor Major Mark (10).
A top-five finish will guarantee runners a berth in the $400,000 final, to be run at Alexandra Park on March 11.
Top three-year-olds aren’t the only ones in action on a stunning card that is headlined by the $150,000 Group 1 Northern Oaks.
But much of the focus will be on the $50,000 Group 2 City Of Auckland Free-For-All (2200m), in which Im Themightyquinn (6) renews acquaintances with BIG6 Hunter Cup conqueror Stunin Cullen (9).
Champion locals Monkey King (2) and Auckland Reactor (4) are also engaged in the mobile event to be run at 7:37pm.
Harnesslink News Room
Sushi Sushi to make mince meat of them?
3/3/2011
The New Zealand TAB's harness racing bookmaker believes recent Victoria Derby winner Sushi Sushi is the horse to beat in the Group One Woodlands Stud Northern Derby for Australasia's best 3-year-olds, which will be run at Alexandra Park on Friday week (March 11).
The Freddy Taiba (Victoria) trained Art Major gelding is a pronounced $2.40 favorite for the $400,000 event, which will be run over the 2700m mobile.
Kiwis Terror To Love ($4.50) and Gold Ace ($8) are the only other pacers quoted in single figures.
Sushi Sushi has drawn ideally in Friday's (March 4) first heat and should lead all the way from the ace. He will be driven by Greg Sugars. Terror To Love and Jim Curtin have drawn two.
In the other heat fourth favorite and New South Wales visitor Excel Stride has also copped a nice draw.
The Elizabeth Heath trained and Greg Bennett driven son of Aces N'Sevens will also be a tough to roll from barrier two, especially after winning first up on the track by 5-1/2 lengths - after sitting parked - here seven days ago. Dual group One winner, Gold Ace and Peter Ferguson will start from gate five.
Harnesslink News Room
February Newsletter 2011
Welcome to the first newsletter for the year. We hope to be having regular newsletters each month.
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Yearling Sales are just around the corner:
Abernethy Racing Stables has one lot entered in the 2011 Australasian Classic Sale.
Lot 59 Five Card Draw (Bettor’s Delight – Blistering Belle) The 7th foal out of 4 win mare Blistering Belle who’s first 5 foals have all won more than 2 races each, the 6th foal is a 2yo. He is paid up for 5 race series and is there to be sold. More information can be found on our website under yearlings
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Horses due to race in February are:
Henrik Zetterberg, Painted Black, Here’s Johnny, Kotare Casino, Pipiwharua, Jackpot Girl, Young Cullen, Makarewa Man & Meander In The Sun
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New Additions to Abernethy Racing Stables are:
Makarewa Man 2003 7yo brown gelding Conntinentalman –Pride Of Pernod
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Hydro Tread Mill
The hydro treadmill is in full swing we have had quite a few horses that have completed their courses, and the race day results are very pleasing. There are still a few spaces for February & March so if anyone is interested please give us a call. The charges for full board is $65 plus GST per day, and drop in rates are $45 plus GST per day.
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Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or adding it to the website form page.
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2 year olds:
All the 2yos are now back in and will be aiming to qualify/race this time around.
Red Belle Hanover is the most advance and forward 2yo at this stage. She will be trialling this month then will be given a let up.
Belle Arising and Told You So have both been fast working well. All going well they should be ready to trail at the end of the month.
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Stable Visits
We will be having a stable opening day later in the year.
In the meantime if anyone wants to come and view the stables or hydro treadmill please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to make a time for you.
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Shares Available
Join a syndicate and experience the excitement of meeting new people and winning races!
We have a few horses that have shares available from as little as $75 per month fixed rate
For more information please see shares available on the website or email
www.abernethyracingstables.co.nz
jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
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Stables Stars:
Henrik Zetterberg
Is coming along really nicely he is improving with each run.
Kotare Casino
She never goes a bad race she will continue to aim at the 3yo fillies races for the remainder of the season
February’s horse to follow is Makarewa Man he joined the stable end of January and won well first up for us. We have changed a few things around with him and hopefully he will continue to race well for us.
Mach Three 4yo is home to do the business
4/1/11
The Tasman crossing pacer Henrik Zetterberg will have his first start back in New Zealand tomorrow (Wednesday January 4) at the Northland Harness Racing Club's meeting at Ruakaka - the track where the surf meets the turf.
The 4-year-old son of Mach Three and six win pacer Soky's Belle (Soky's Atom) last raced in New Zealand on March 5, 2010 at Alexandra Park and his last victory in his homeland was at Cambridge Raceway on January 15.
Since then the bay gelding nicknamed Mac has performed creditably in Australia winning four of his 16 starts there and placing five times for $25,224. All up he's now won seven of his 27 starts and placed five times for $43,919.
His most impressive victory to date was at Menangle Park in New South Wales where he won an Australasian Breeders Crown heat on July 20. He recorded his fastest winning mile rate of 1:56.6 that day.
Co-owner, breeder, trainer and driver Jay Abernethy, said he sent Henrik Zetterberg to Peter Russo's Sydney stable last year to chase all the 3-year-old races in Australia.
"He did a pretty good job for us winning Breeders Crown and Bathurst Gold Crown heats and he also finished fourth in the Queensland Derby. He raced in my name for his first two starts and then Peter did a really good job with him. He will probably end up back in Sydney later in the season now that Harold Park is finished and there are some really nice stakes on offer at Menangle Park," Abernethy said.
In the meantime the 28-year-old Papakura-based horseman said he would see how Henrik Zetterberg performed at Ruakaka tomorrow before possibly lining him up in a 4&5yo pace at Cambridge Raceway on January 14.
"His future racing career depends on how he fronts up here in New Zealand. He will definitely go back to Australia but when is up to him. If he races well we will probably keep him here for the Noel Taylor Mile and New Zealand Messenger in April and May.
"We will also look at his bank balance and see if he has enough dollars to get into the Harness Jewels Final in June. Regardless of what happens he's paid up for the Breeder's Crown in Australia and we would like to give that another crack in August," Abernethy said.
Four years ago Abernethy opted to name some of his foals after prominent sports stars.
Daniela Hantuchová (two wins) and Nicole Vaidisova (maiden) were named after professional women tennis players while Henrik Zetterberg is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who captains the Detroit Wings in the American National Hockey League.
Like his pacing namesake Zetterberg is no mug at what he does. Along with winning the Stanley Cup in 2008, Zetterberg won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Abernethy said he currently worked a team of 12 in South Auckland but liked to get his horses up and running and then sell them.
"Peter (Russo) has bought a few of us. Twelve is a nice number to work with. Kotare Casino (four wins) and Henrik Zetterberg would be the best performed pacers in our stable," Abernethy said.
"Henrik Zetterberg is progressing well and won a trial in 2:46 (2200m mobile) at Alexandra Park a few of Saturdays ago (December 14). He returned home after the Breeders Crown and we put him out for six weeks.
"Since then he has come back well and has done a lot of training on our new aqua under-water treadmill," Abernethy added.
By Duane RANGER (editor)
Harnesslink
December Newsletter 2010
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.
Welcome to the final newsletter for the year which I hope has been a good one for you all.
I thank you all very much for your business and look forward to dealing with you in 2011.
Horses due to race in December are:
Henrik Zetterberg, Painted Black, Daniela Hantuchova, Here’s Johnny, Kotare Casino, Pipiwharua, Jackpot Girl, Young Cullen & Meander In The Sun
New Additions to Abernethy Racing Stables are:
Meander In The Sun 2001 9yo bay mare Sundon - Meander In Eden
Hydro Tread Mill
The hydro treadmill is in full swing we have had quite a few horses that have completed their courses, and the race day results are very pleasing. There are still a few spaces at the moment for December so if anyone is interested please give us a call. The charges for full board are $65 plus GST per day, and drop in rates are $45 plus GST per day.
Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or adding it to the website form page.
2 year olds:
All the 2yos are now back in and will be aiming to qualify/race this time around.
Red Belle Hanover is the most advance and forward 2yo at this stage. She will be trialling this month with a view of racing in January.
Belle Arising and Told You So have just completed 4 weeks jogging they have just started to fast work now. All going well they should be ready to show something early January.
Stable Visits:
We will be having a stable opening day later in the year.
In the meantime if anyone wants to come and view the stables or hydro treadmill please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to make a time for you.
Shares Available:
Join a syndicate and experience the excitement of meeting new people and winning races!
We have a few horses that have shares available from as little as $75 per month fixed rate
For more information please see shares available on the website or email
www.abernethyracingstables.co.nz
jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
Henrik Zetterberg (Stable Star):
Is coming along really nicely he had his first trial back on 4/12/10 winning it very easily he seems to be on target for a return to racing sometime around Christmas. Maybe the 4yo race on the 24/12/10 at Cambridge.
December’s horse to follow is Painted Black he has been racing really well in his last few races and will be giving his chance in some of the grass tracks cups over the Christmas period.
Star studded line up for drivers championship
A star studded line up will contest this years American Ideal Provincial Drivers Championship at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Thursday 2 December. Harness Racings equivalent of the NPC will see teams of two drivers representing each region at the Invercargill Harness Racing Club's twilight meeting on that date.
The teams are selected from the previous years premiership with the top two drivers on the table from each province invited to attend. If for any reason a driver cannot attend the place in the respective team is offered to the next best placed reinsman from the particular region.
This year's field is a spectacular one. Reigning champions Canterbury, who won last year with brothers Dexter and John Dunn, will be represented this year by Dexter Dunn and Mark Jones, the same team that won for the red and blacks two years ago. Dunn, last year's individual champion, became the first driver in New Zealand to record 200 wins in a season in 2009 when at the age of 19 he achieved the feat, winning the New Zealand Drivers Premiership in the process. Along with team mate Jones, the World Driving Champion in 2003, the duo will ensure Canterbury are favoured to extend their winning streak.
It will be far from easy however. Waikato will field David Butcher and Peter Ferguson, another strong combination. Butcher was the first driver to surpass two million dollars of stakes in a season while Butcher was the runner-up in the 2009 World Series.
Ricky May, the winner of the last two New Zealand Cups, and driver of over 2000 winners spearheads the Mid Canterbury challenge while team mate Gerard O'Reilly is an experienced campaigner who will rack up a good share of points. Auckland honour lies with Brent Mangos and Jay Abernethy and Central Districts pride with Stephen Doody and Scott Dickson. Matthew Williamson and Alan Clark carry the hopes of Otago while Southland's combination will feature Nathan Williamson and Brent Barclay. Barclay won the individual title in 2006, the last time Southland won the teams title.
The depth of driving talent competing this year is superb. A former world champion in Mark Jones, five of the top six drivers from last year's premiership, New Zealand Cup winners and six drivers who have won the Provincial Drivers Championship before - May (twice), Dunn, Jones, Barclay, Ferguson and Doody. This will be the 22nd time the event has been held and May has attended each time. Southland has been the most successful team over the years with six wins while a Southland Under 20 team has also won the teams event. Canterbury have notched up five wins while Waikato and Mid Canterbury are tied on three wins apiece. Central Districts have their name on the trophy twice and Auckland once with Otago yet to taste success.
The full list of teams is:
Auckland: Brent Mangos, Jay Abernethy
Waikato: Peter Ferguson, David Butcher
Central Districts: Stephen Doody, Scott Dickson
Canterbury: Dexter Dunn, Mark Jones
Mid Canterbury: Ricky May, Gerard O'Reilly
Otago: Matthew Williamson, Alan Clark
Southland: Nathan Williamson, Brent Barclay
The drivers go into a ballot for their drives with points allocated over the five heats to find both the team and individual winners. First place in each of the heats is worth 10 points, second - 7 points, third - 5 points, fourth 3 points and fifth - 1 point.
Racing starts at 4 pm on Thursday 2 December - the perfect opportunity to enjoy a summer evening after work watching the superstars of New Zealand harness racing.
Admission to the course on the day is free and some hospitality options are still available.
A prizegiving ceremony will be held at the course at the conclusion of the event before the aftermatch function at the Ascot Park Hotel Tavern.
Newsletter - November 2010
Welcome again to my monthly Newsletter for November.
Horses due to race in November are:
Painted Black, Daniela Hantuchova, Here’s Johnny, Kotare Casino, Pipiwharua, Nicole Vaidisova & Take The Chance
New Additions to Abernethy Racing Stables are:
Young Cullen (4yo Bay Gelding Christian Cullen-Baby Doll Rufus)
Jackpot Girl (3yo Brown Filly Bettor’s Delight- Lyndall)
Hydro Tread Mill
The hydro treadmill is in full swing with a quite a few horses already have completed their courses, and the race day results are very pleasing. There are still a few spaces at the moment for November so if anyone is interested please give us a call. The charges for full board is $65 plus GST per day.
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Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or adding it to the website form page.
2 year olds
All the 2yos are now back in and will be aiming to qualify/race this time around.
Red Belle Hanover is the most advance and forward 2yo at this stage. She has just completed a 30 day course on the hydro treadmill so will not be far away from trailing.
Belle Arising and Told You So have just resumed from a 4 week break. All going well they should be ready to show something late December.
Stable Visits
We will be having a stable opening day later in the year.
In the mean time if anyone wants to come and view the stables or hydro treadmill please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to make a time for you.
Shares Available
Join a syndicate and experience the excitement of meeting new people and winning races!
We have a few horses that have shares available from as little as $75 per month fixed rate
For more information please see shares available on the website or email
www.abernethyracingstables.co.nz
jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
Henrik Zetterberg (Stable Star)
Is coming along really nicely he had his first hopple up 7/11/10 everything seems to be on target for a return to racing sometime around Christmas.
November’s horse to follow is Here’s Johnny he has been racing really well without much luck he just needs a little bit of luck to go his way on race night and he won’t be far away.
Spy upsets River Field in Manawatu feature
Spy - the winner of 9 races and just under $100,000 in stake money
Manawatu harness racing trainers Stephen Doody and Peter Scaife are awfully hard to topple on their home track, but Gareth Dixon did exactly that when his 6-year-old gelding - Spy - beat hot favourite River Field in the feature pace at Manawatu Raceway tonight ((Thursday October 28).
River Field was backed as unbeatable in the $6,000 Speights 3-6-win pace, but when the Scaife trained David Fagan (Zac Butcher) took the lead off stablemate Operative Word (David Butcher) at the top of the straight the second last time, it left the Doody trained River Field (Peter Ferguson) trapped away three-deep on the markers.
All the while Spy and Jay Abernethy sat in the one-one for most of the journey before peeling out three-wide on the home turn.
At the finish line the 6-year-old son of Falcon Seelster had three quarters of a length to spare over the fast-finishing River Field, who got off the markers when the Spy ($5.50 and $2.10) had the race virtually signed, sealed and delivered.
Spy paced the 2000m mobile in 2:31.2 - mile rate: 2:01.6, with a final 800m sprint of 58.8 seconds. It was his ninth win from 46 starts. He's also placed 15 times for $97,881 in stakes.
It was Spy's first start on the track and first time over the 2000m distance.
Doody did however win the first race with $19.20 outsider Its New Yorks Finest. He also drove the 4-year-old son of Courage Of Under Fire.
But it was Scaife who was the most successful trainer on the night.
The Foxton conditioner won with Imatrotnovsky (Malabar Maple)) and Raven (Live Or Die) in races two and six respectively. Both were driven by Cambridge junior driver Zac Butcher, who together with Jay Abernethy was the most successful reinsman on the eight-race programme.
Perfect drive from Sailesh Abernethy
Article from Harnesslink
For a junior driver who has only sat in the sulky twice this harness racing season promising reinsman Sailesh Abernethy sure knows how to time a run on a $2.10 favourite. The 25-year-old notched up his second career win with a perfect drive at the Morrinsville Trotting Club's meeting at Cambridge Raceway tonight (Thursday October 14).
Abernethy, who drives diggers for his father Wayne's contracting business during the day, again displayed a lot of natural ability when steering the filly he part-owns - Kotare Casino - to a nose victory in tonight's $5,000 John Villager Memorial Pace for junior drivers.
It was the daughter of Bettors Delight's fourth win from six starts. She finished second in her two other starts but it was the first time Abernethy had driven the above average bay.
"I was fairly confident that we would pass Lightning Magic with 50 metres to go but when we crossed the finishing line I wasn't so sure. It was a bit of a relief to get the judge's call," South Auckland- based Abernethy said.
Abernethy was doing the driving for his older brother Jay who trains Kotare Casino at Papakura. He drew one on the second line and followed Simon Lawson and Lightning Magic throughout the 2200m mobile, nabbing the second favourite right on the post. They won in 2:50.6 (mile rate 2:04.7) with final 800m and 400m sectionals of 58.4 and 27.7 seconds.
It was Abernethy's second career win after saluting with Daniela Hantuchova at the same venue on April 1 this year. However don't expect to see Abernethy lining up for a heap of drives.
"I'm happy with my day job and I enjoy helping out my brother in the mornings. The only reason I started driving was because mates like Roydon Downey kept giving me a hard time and kept hassling me to get a licence.
"Sure, if more drives came my way I'd take them but I don't go looking for them. It could change one day. I've still got a few years left in the junior ranks, but I'm happy with the way it is now," Abernethy said.
He said Kotare Casino was a "nice filly" who would now be freshened before taking on the best of her own sex in a Sires Stakes heat at Cambridge on November 20.
"I think she's good enough to take on some of the best fillies but time will tell. Tonight she took on the older 2-win horses and won well. I think she has got a bit of a future."
Abernethy will be back in the sulky again on Saturday night when he steers the 4-year-old gelding his brother Jay trains called Painted Black. They have drawn three on the second line in race four.
Stable Newsletter October 2010
Welcome again to my monthly newsletter for October, sorry there has not been any newsletters for last few months; however we seem to be back on track now.
Horses due to race in October are:
Allin On The River, Kotare Casino Painted Black, Daniela Hantuchova, Here’s Johnny, Nicole Vaidisova, Take The Chance, Legend Of The Ball, & Pipiwharua
Horses due to trial in October are:
Tohottotrot S, Pipiwharua, & Nicole Vidisova
Hydro Tread Mill
The hydro tread mill is up and running and the results are beginning to show. With Kotare Casino, the first horse to race and win. There are currently 5 horses working out on this daily. For those who are interested in viewing the hydro treadmill, please make a booking, you can do this by contacting me.
Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or adding it to the website form page.
2 year olds
Abernethy Racing Stables has 3 2yo on the books
Belle Arising (Christian Cullen – Blistering Belle)
Red Belle Hanover (Red River Hanover – Belfry Lady)
Told You So (Red River Hanover – Ask Me Nicely)
All 3 have had 3 short preps with Red Belle Hanover showing the most promise. However being 2yo’s this could change – watch this space.
Stable Open Day
We will be having a stable opening day later in the year. In the mean time if anyone wants to come and view the stables or hydro treadmill please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to make a time for you.
Shares Available
Join a syndicate and experience the excitement of meeting new people and winning races!
We have a few yearlings & 2yo’s that have shares available from as little as $75 per month fixed rate
For more information please see shares available on the website or email
www.abernethyracingstables.co.nz
jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
Stable Star Henrik Zetterberg is Back in NZ
After racing very well from the Peter Russo and Ashlee Siejka Stable in NSW Henrik Zetterberg is back in NZ. After a well deserved break Henrik Zetterberg has started working on the Hydro Treadmill will be looking to race around xmas time. With 24th December he early target race.
October’s horse to follow is Here’s Johnny. His first up win on the 30/9/10 was impressive!! He still has a few things to learn but once he settles down should make a competitive racehorse.
Alexandra Park Briefs’ 16/9/2010
Classy 3yo Bettor’s Delight filly Kotare Casino (kotare Yangtze-Falcon Seelster) made it two from two this season with a smart win against the 3yo’s and older in 2.01.6 home in 59.2 & 29
Stable News 5th May 2010
Welcome again to my Monthly Newsletter for May sorry for no newsletter in April we were just flat out but everything back on track now.
Horses due to race in May are: (including caretaker horses)
We currently have a large racing team at present
Painted Black, Daniela Hantuchova, Milka Duno, The Great Escape, Sparkle N Glitter, Here’s Johnny, T K Saracen, Long John Anvil also horses from the Wayne Higgs Stable in Chch Recklaw’s Boy Recklaw’s Chance and Julius Bardon and Henrik Zetterberg who will be Racing in Australia
Horses due to trial in may are:
Macchiato, Long John Anvil and Take The Chance
As we are currently weaning last year’s foal we are open for name ideas, the breading can be found on my website under yearlings. Please feel free to email some name suggestions (Still Looking for Names)
Hydro Tread Mill
Our Hydro treadmill is still not competed yet. It is nearly done just doing all the tests on it now hopefully it’s not too far away. (We can see the light at the end of the Tunnel now all the tests have come back good)
Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or add it to the website form page.
2 year olds
Take The Chance is back in work and working well will look at trailing towards the end of the month.
Here’s Johnny Is due to have his first race 5/5/10 workout form has been good (won his last 2 outings)
Nicole Vaidisova is having a wee break due back in middle of May.
Macchiato is working along nicely he will be looking to trail late May.
Stable Open Day
We will be having a stable opening day once the hydro treadmill is up and running hopefully hold the open day sometime in June
Shares Available
Join a syndicate and experience the excitement of meeting new people and winning races!
We have a few yearlings that have shares available from as little as $75 per month fixed rate
For more information please see shares available on the website or email
www.abernethyracingstables.co.nz
jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
Henrik Zetterberg
Is racing very well from and Peter Russo and Ashlee Siejka Stable in NSW he will continue to race over there as long as he is racing so good. Current stats 6 Starts 1 Win 1 Seconds 2 thirds to date
May’s horse to follow is Here’s Johnny his workout form has been really good and has impressed everyone in his work, just needs luck to go his way on race night and he won’t be far away.
Another Abernethy lightweight…..
Sailesh drives first winner
Driving his first racenight winner has come at a cost for Sailesh Abernethy. “My golf handicap has gone out from a five to eleven,” he explains. The younger brother of well-known northern trainer and driver Jay Abernethy, Sailesh reined his first winner at just his sixth drive when Daniela Hantuchova led almost throughout to leave maidens at Cambridge last week. Unlike his brother, who has won the Australasian Junior Drivers Championship, harness racing has never been the prime focus for Sailesh. “I have only started working the horses regularly the last four years or so,” said the 24-year-old. “Before then I was more into my sport. “I played hockey seriously, and then after that golf. At one stage I got down to a five handicap but that has blown out to an eleven now because I am spending a lot more time with the horses.” That means most mornings Sailesh will join his brother working the horses before heading off to his day job, driving diggers for his father Wayne’s earthmoving company. As much as he loves the horses, the family business will always come first. “The horses are great fun and a good distraction from normal life, but I don’t think it will ever be full-time for me. “For me the money will always be better working for Dad, and I have got reasonably high up in the company now. “But I still love the horses.” Sailesh says he was goaded into getting his licence after giving some of his driver friends a hard time about their drives. “I had a few mates say to me why don’t I have a go, so I did and really enjoy it.” While Jay is the boss, the brothers tend to choose which horse they favour when they are yearlings, and Daniela Hantuchova was Sailesh’s so it was only fair he got to eventually drive her once he got his licence. “She has always had ability but she doesn’t really like being in behind. “She is a different horse in front, but when we took her to Manawatu recently she didn’t travel down there so well so we had to take a trail with her. “But she was a lot better last Thursday, and she has the ability to win a couple more without doubt.” Daniela Hantuchova, named after a professional tennis player, is bred to be good. She is by Christian Cullen from Blistering Belle, who won four for the Abernethy’s. She has since left Elite Belle, won 11 races and $116,000, Allin On The River (four wins) and Paddle Foot Holmes (three wins). And you could say Sailesh is bred to be handy too, having the advantage of being a lightweight like his brother. “I’m only fifty-five kgs, like Jay so I suppose that helps.”
6 April 2010
Dash holds out favourite in Hawera Cup
Easter Monday in Taranaki saw the Doug Gale-trained Dash hold out race favourite Percy The Punter for a win in the South Taranaki Hawera Cup. It was only his second North Island Country Cup start but with the 10 points earned, he now sits eighth equal in the series with two races to go.
Driver Jay Abernethy had Dash underway well from the front row and was soon pacing in second position behind Cavalier Dream as the two broke away from the main bunch. With a lap to run the field had closed in on the leaders with Dash enjoying a nice run in the trail.
Along the back straight for the final time, Percy The Punter was soon moved up toward the front, whilst Dash led from the 2000 metres out. Turning for home Abernethy sent Dash charging along the grass. Coming very wide was Percy The Punter, but the margin Dash had over the field was too much for the favourite to overcome in time. Dash claimed the Cup with half-a-length to spare. Arts Bo, who sat parked for the last 1000 metres, charged in for third behind Percy The Punter, who had been sitting behind in the one-one.
Monday’s win was Dash’s first for the season with a further five placings from his 14 starts. The five-year-old by Pacific Rocket has earned $81,000 in his four season of racing which includes seven wins. Of Dash’s 53 race starts, Abernethy has been at the reins for all, bar two of them.
Cyclone Night still leads the North Island Country Cup series with 28 points from his two wins and two placings. Dash is eighth equal and will be looking to improve on this with the Wairarapa and Taranaki Cups remaining before the Final in Auckland on the 23rd of April.
1 April 2010
CONGRATULATIONS SAILESH:
Congratulations go out to Sailesh Abernethy who reined his first winner at tonight's meeting at Cambridge Raceway.
The Papakura junior driver won behind the horse his brother Jay trains called Daniela Hantuchova. It was just his fifth race-day drive and Abernethy shocked the punters somewhat paying $15.90 and $4.20 to win and place in the last event - the $6000 Harness Jewels Fillies and Mares Mobile for maiden pacers.
Stable News 13 March 2010
Welcome again to my Monthly Newsletter for March.
Horses due to race in March are:
We currently have a large racing team at present
Painted Black, Daniela Hantuchova, Milka Duno, The Great Escape, Sparkle N Glitter, and Henrik Zetterberg who will be Racing in Australia Horses due to trial in January are:
Nicole Vaidisova, Sparkle N Glitter, & Kotare Rapide.
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As we are currently weaning last year’s foal we are open for name ideas, the breading can be found on my website under yearlings. Please feel free to email some name suggestions
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Hydro Tread Mill
Our Hydro treadmill is still not competed yet. It is nearly done just doing all the test on it now hopefully it’s not too far away.
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Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or add it to the website form page.
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2 year olds
Take The Chance has been injured from her race fall last start so is having a brief letup.
Here’s Johnny Qualified last month has since been gelded and currently jogging up again
Nicole Vaidisova had her first workout 13/3/10 due to qualify this month
Macchiato is working along nicely we were very pleased to see the turnout that came along and watched him work early this month. After a few gear changes he is now worker a lot better
Stable Open Day
We will be having a stable opening day once the hydro treadmill is up and running hopefully hold the open day sometime in May
Shares Available
Join a syndicate and experience the excitement of meeting new people and winning races!
We have a few yearlings that have shares available from as little as $75 per month fixed rate
For more information please see website or email jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
Henrik Zetterberg
Is off to Australia on Monday 15/3/10 to contest in a few 3yo races around NSW his first race is 22/3/10 he will continue to race in Australia for the next few months. Finger crossed he performs well.
March Horse to Follow:
Daniela Hantuchova after a brief let up she is back to her good trail from. She was a impressive workout winner 13/3/10 will be looking for a bold run next start. (Hopefully Sailesh’s First race day Winner)
Stable News 13 February 2010
Hi All
Welcome again to my Monthly Newsletter for February 2010
Horse’s racing in February :
The return of Abernethy Racing Stables (stable star) Allin In On The River is due to start racing again after a 12 month layoff. He is working very well but may need a few runs to get back to his best. Fingers crossed he stays sound this time around, also due to race this month are Wings Of An Angel, Milka Duno, Take The Chance, and Henrik Zetterberg,
Horses due to trial in January are:
Painted Black, The Great Escape, Here’s Johnny and Daniela Hantuchova
Yearling Sales 15th February 2010
Abernethy Racing Stables Has 3 lots in
Lot 74 Tricky Way Out (Dream Away- Tricky Clout)
Lot 104 Red Belle Hanover (Red River Hanover-Belfry Lady)
Lot 122 Belle Arising (Christian Cullen- Blistering Belle)
More information can be found on the website
Inspections welcome please contact Jay on 021 797242
Hydro Tread Mill
Our Hydro treadmill is coming along nicely. We have had a lot of holds up over the xmas new year’s period but everything is full steam ahead now. Let’s hope it’s not too far away from having the first horse work on it.
Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or add it to the website form page.
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Stable Open Day
We will be having a stable opening day once the hydro treadmill is up and running. We will hopefully hold the open day sometime in March or April. But those who want to come out one Saturday morning and watch a few horses work please let me know and we can sort something out.
Shares Available
Join a syndicate and experience the excitement of meeting new people and winning races!
Told You So 1yo (Red River Hanover – Ask Me Nicely) 10 Shares Available $150 per month with no cost till 1 March 2010 she will be broken in late January early February.
For more information please see website or email jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
Yearlings Sales Coming up:
Abernethy Racing Stables will be Purchasing a few yearlings from the yearlings sales for Syndication. If you are interested in taking a share in something please let me know. Shares will be Available in 5% through to 50% you decided more information will be available after the sales on the website and newsletters.
If you would like more information please email me on jay@abernethyracingstables.co.nz
2 year olds
Take The Chance is currently racing and will be joined by Here’s Johnny who is not far away from trailing.
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February’s horse to follow is Milka Duno . She had her first start last week and ran home quite well. With a little bit of racing she should keep on improving & hopefully she can pick a few races up over the next few months. |
25/1/10 - As predicted Platinum Rule too good in Cup
Jay Abernethy knows a Cup winner when he gets behind one - and he's not afraid to let 'Harnesslink' readers in on his knowledge. After driving Platinum Rule to victory in the $8000 Otaki Prelude last Friday Abernethy told Harnesslink that the 5-year-old would be very hard to beat in the $12,000 Otaki Cup run on the Otaki grass yesterday (Sunday). He duly obliged and paid $6 to win.
Our headline read Platinum Rule - a 'huge chance' in Otaki Cup. The son of Falcon Seelster proved too strong in the 2-6 win handicap pace winning by 1-3/4 lengths from Arts Bo (Zac butcher) and Cavalier Dream (Arna Donnelly).
Platinum Rule paced the 2600m from his 10m handicap in 3:36.5 (mile rate: 2;13.9) with a final 800m kick of 63.3 seconds.
"He was desperately unlucky the day I drove him in the Westport Cup (Boxing Day). He was three-wide and only got beaten a nose. That was a pretty tidy field and no stronger than what he will meet in Sunday's Otaki Cup," Abernethy said.
"On that run and today's (Friday's) win, he is a huge chance," he told Harnesslink.
Platinum Rule's trainer Laurie Cockfield said he initially met Abernethy at the same Kapiti meeting 12 months ago, and when there was a shortage of drivers on the Coast in December he and co-owner Matt Reedy put out the call for the South Auckland reinsman to head south and drive their pacer.
"I really like Jay's driving because he puts horses right in the race. There's not much of him and I guess the horses don't have much weight to pull. I'd certainly use his services again. He drove the horse really well on both days at Otaki," Cockfield said.
The 47-year-old Westport horseman, who is a carpenter by trade, usually trains two at a time, but Platinum Rule is his only horse he has currently in work. He has now won four of his 19 starts and placed five times for $35,746.
"He's a tough grinding type who can win one or two more. He's one of the better horses I have trained but not the best. That would have to be Tania's Boy, who won seven races for me (three in Cockfield's name), including a Westport Cup. He raced in the late 1980s and early 1990s," Cockfield said.
Cockfield has held a trainer's licence since the 1989-90 season. He has trained nine winners and 27 place-getters and amassed $82,587 in career stakes. He recorded his only driving success in the 2000-2001 season.
Cockfield said he would look to start Platinum Rule on his home track on March 12 with possible excursions to Addington Raceway in between.
"I've only just got home 30 minutes ago (Monday afternoon) and haven't even looked at his programme yet but I would love to win with him here in March," he said.
As well as Reedy, Vanessa Wallis also has a half share in the brown gelding. They also bred him.
25/1/10 Platinum Rule does the Otaki double
After an unlucky nose second in the Westport Cup, Platinum Rule’s trainer Laurie Cockfield decided to tackle the Otaki Cup. And it was a smart move taking the five-year-old up north with his first win of the season coming on Friday in the Cup Prelude.
Driven smartly by Jay Abernethy, Platinum Rule sped away from the standing start as others struggled with the wet conditions on the grass track. Along the front straight for the first time, Flying Along took over with Abernethy soon moving outside of him. As they charged onto the home straight it became a two-horse race between these two front runners and it was Platinum Rule who came out on top.
Platinum Rule began off the 10 metre handicap in Railway Hotel Otaki Cup on Sunday due to the Prelude win. However this did not faze the Falcon Seelster gelding. Although a little slow to begin, Abernethy was able to get him underway without too much trouble. The field broke into two groups with Platinum Rule in front of the second bunch.
With 1000 metres to run, the two groups had combined and Abernethy made his move overtaking much of the bunch. Coming four-wide off the final bend, Platinum Rule began to overhaul his competition. Before long too the rest were dropping off. Doing the Otaki double, Platinum Rule crossed the line with one-and-a-quarter lengths to spare over Arts Bo. Finishing over three lengths back in third was Cavalier Dream.
Owned by Vanessa Wallis and Matthew Reedy in Westport, Platinum Rule has won 4 of his 19 starts in his 15 month career. His lifetime stakes sit at $35,746 with the Cup win his largest to date. This was Cockfield’s ninth career win as a trainer. Platinum Rule now sits fourth equal in the North Island Country Cup series behind Phil B and Cyclone Night.
22/1/10 - Platinum Rule - a 'huge chance' in Otaki Cup
Platinum Rule is a huge chance of backing up in two days and winning the $12,000 Otaki Cup. That's the verdict of the 5-year-old's driver Jay Abernethy following their win in today's (Friday) $8000 Otaki Railway Hotel Cup Prelude win on the Otaki grass track. It was the first of a two-day meeting run by the Kaipiti Coast Harness Racing Club.
It was just the second time the South Auckland reinsman had driven Falcon Seelster gelding. Owner Matt Reedy flew Abernethy to the South Island to drive him in the Westport Cup on Boxing Day.
"They had a shortage of drivers and I gladly accepted the offer to drive the horse. He was desperately unlucky that day. He was three-wide and only got beaten a nose. That was a pretty tidy field and no stronger than what he will meet in Sunday's Otaki Cup," Abernethy said.
"On that run and today's win, he is a huge chance," he added.
Platinum Rule is trained by Laurie Cockfield on the Westport racecourse. It was his first win of the season and eighth since 1989-90. For Platinum Rule it was his third win in 18 starts. He's also placed five times.
Today he flew the barrier and was four lengths in front after 20 metres. Abernethy settled in the trail and then sat in the open for much of 2600m standing start event. In the run home Platinum Rule simply out-muscled his 10 opponents in the slush to win by half a length from Flyin Along and Todd Mitchell. President Tomado and Nicky Chilcott were 2-1/4 lengths back in third.
The winning time was 3:43.4 with a last 800m sprint of 61.7 seconds. Mile rate: 2:18.2.
"We were crawling the last little bit but we always had enough in reserve. It was a comfortable win," Abernethy said.
He said he would stick with Platinum Rule in the Otaki Cup, over Wanganui Cup winner Forever Loyal, who has won his last two, starts for Foxton trainer Colin Evans.
Platinum Rule has copped a 10m handicap for today's win. The Michelle Wallis trained back-marker Swaps (30m) looks the toughest for Platinum Rule to beat.
Otaki Cup selections: Platinum Rule, Swaps, Forever Loyal.
Longshot: Redoubtable.
Auckland Workout Results 16/1/2010
Abernethy Racing Stables had big day with 4 runners in, Take The Chance was impressive wining her heat by 7 lengths, Painted Black run a nice 2nd in the learners heat, I was very please with the way he behave himself considering it was his first workout. Milka Duno and Mystery Moment run 3rd and 4th in the non winner's heat. They will have one or two more trails before they have there first race day start.
Thames H.R.C. news 11/1/10
But perhaps the ‘performance-of-the-day' came from the Doug Gale trained Bakupmac a race earlier.
The talented McArdle gelding recorded the quickest winning mile rate on the 11-race card when winning the $7000 Northern Race-day Services Mobile for 1-2 win paces in 2:03.7. Driven astutely by Jay Abernethy Bakupmac had a nose and 1-1/4 lengths to spare over Elena S (Peter Ferguson) and regal Belleboy (Simon Lawson).
It was the 3-year-old's second win from seven starts. He was also successful at Cambridge Raceway in his assignment on December 29. Yesterday he paced the 1700m mobile in 2:10.7 with final 800m and 400m sectionals of 62.5 and 28.4 seconds.
For Gale it was his seventh training success of the season and 551st in a career spanning back to 1986-87. Abernethy, who is really hitting some nice grass track form at present has now saluted the judge nine times in 2009-2010. All up the talented reinsman has now won 179 races since his junior driving days in 2001-2002.
From Harnesslink
Stable News - 4 January 2010
Welcome again to my Monthly Newsletter for January 2010
Horses due to race in January are:
Wings Of An Angel, Waipipi Lass, Milka Duno, Mystery Moment, The Great Escape and Henrik Zetterberg.
Horses due to trial in January are:
Mystery Moment, Take The Chance, and Milka Duno.
Yearling Sales 15th February 2010
Abernethy Racing Stables Has 3 lots in
Lot 74 Tricky Way Out (Dream Away- Tricky Clout)
Lot 104 Red Belle Hanover (Red River Hanover-Belfry Lady)
Lot 122 Belle Arising (Christian Cullen- Blistering Belle)
More information can be found on the website by clicking on their name above.
Inspections welcome please contact Jay on 021 797242
Hydro Tread Mill
Our Hydro treadmill is still competed yet. It is nearly done just doing all the tests on it now, then hopefully the first horse will be in it by the end of the month.
Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or add it to the website form page.
2 year olds:
Take The Chance Qualified on 1/1/2010 at Cambridge she did everything right and is on target for her first race early February. Here’s Johnny is due to trail late January
Stable Open Day
We will be having a stable opening day once the hydro treadmill is up and running hopefully hold the open day sometime in February
Stable News 6 December 2009
Welcome again to my Monthly Newsletter for December
With weather like we have had over this last week or so - roll on summer. I guess the next thing we will be too hot or too dry. Can't please everyone all the time I suppose. Beyond the weather things have been busy during the last month with the racing team getting bigger.
Horses due to race in December are:
Wings Of An Angel, Sparkle N Glitter, Waipipi Lass and Henrik Zetterberg
Horses due to trial in December are:
Mystery Moment, Take The Chance, and Milka Duno
Hydro Tread Mill
Our Hydro treadmill is coming along very slowly with hold ups beyond our control. We are really looking forward to getting this up and running. Hopefully it will be completed before Christmas.
Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or add it to the website form page.
2 year olds
Here's Johnny has had a minor setback so won’t be seen till after Christmas. The most forward Filly is Take the Chance who is due to trail next week.
December horse to follow:
Is again Henrik Zetterbreg has been racing well and is starting to learn the ropes of racing hopefully he will continue to improve with every start.
Stable Open Day
We will be having a stable opening day early in the new year as it is a busy time for us around Christmas and we are eagerly waiting the hydro treadmill to be completed.
Trials Results
FRANKLIN TROTTING CLUB INC TRIALS 24/11/2009
Abernethy Racing Stables had the 2 runners in Waipipi Lass and Sparkle N Glitter. Waipipi Lass won her Qualifying heat impressive leading all the way winning, 5 seconds under the time required she won by 4 lengths. A big improvement from her last attempt, promising! The time for the 2050 mobile was 2.37.1 last half in 59.2 quarter in 29.6. Sparkle n Glitter ran 3rd she sat outside the leader the whole way and finished off nicely. The time for the 2050 meter mobile was 2.40.9 last half in .59 quarter in 28.4. I will be looking to race the two horses in the next few weeks.
Championship drivers named
The Southland Times
The Invercargill Harness Racing Club has confirmed the reinsmen for the Provincial Drivers' Championship at Ascot Park on November 21.
They are: Auckland, Steven Reid and Jay Abernethy; Waikato, Peter Ferguson and David Butcher; Central Districts, Stephen Doody and Scott Dickson; Canterbury, Dexter Dunn and Mark Jones; Mid Canterbury, Ricky May and Gerard O'Reilly; Otago, Matthew Williamson and Alan Clark; and Southland, Kirk Larsen and Nathan Williamson.
Printed 6/10/09 in The Southland Times
Henrik Zetterberg drop back and wins
By Michael Guerin
Had things gone a little better, Hernik Zetterberg wouldn’t have even been at Alexandra Park last Friday because he could have been at Addington competing for much bigger money three days earlier. The 3-year-old showed just how enormous the drop back from Sires’ Stakes Heat racing to maidens is when he blew his opponents away by six lengths last Friday. In doing so he suggested he could be the new stable star for trainer Jay Abernethy, whose opinion of the Mach Three gelding is already obvious. So impressed was Abernethy by Henrik Zetterberg’s trials performances six weeks ago, he threw him in at the very deep end – a Sires’ Stakes Heat at Cambridge on debut. Up against the likes of Sir Lincoln, his inexperience was exposed as he over-raced and finished at the back of the field, but showed enough speed to suggest he would not be a maiden for long. So Punters were on last Friday, and they had little reason for concern as Henrik Zetterberg led basically throughout to bolt in. After the race, Abernethy explained why he took such a dramatic path to winning his first race. “The week before that Sires’ Stakes Heat at Cambridge he trialled great, and i thought it was worth giving him a chance,” he said. “But he got too keen and that stopped him showing his best. “he could be up to those horses.” Abernethy says after Christmas, once Henrik Zetterberg has learnt to handle his speed, he could develop into a Derby horse. “I think he could win four or five races without needing to improve because he has real speed. “But he is still growing; already he is quite a long horse who wears a long hopple.” Henrik Zetterberg was bred by the Abernethy’s from the former smart filly Soky’s Belle and was named after a Swedish ice hockey player. “We named a few after tennis players (stablemate Daniela Hantuchova finished seventh in the same race last Friday) so we thought we would try something different.” Abernethy is working 13 horses, with plenty of young ones, after having sold five to Australia in the last six months. “Selling is good business but it means the racing numbers are down, so I have had a quieter start to the season than I would have liked. “But we have some nice young horses to work with.” Coming back to boost the team soon will be Allin On The River, who looked a class individual before breaking down after winning four races. “He should be back in about six weeks and is looking good, so we are hoping he will stay sound.”
Workouts Results
Auckland Workout Results 7/11/09
Abernethy Racing Stables had the 3 runners in Henrik Zetterberg, Daniela Hantuchova and Waipipi Lass. Henrik Zetterbreg and Daniela Hantuchova both won their heats. Henrik Zetterberg was impressive winning by 2.5 lengths the time for the 2200 mobile was 2.47.4 last half in .58 quarter in 28.2 Daniela Hantuchova she lead all the way and won nicely. The time for the 2200 meters mobile was 2.52.1 last half in 58.6 quarter 28.9. Waipipi Lass ran 4th she hung a bit so will try her on a left handed track in a few weeks time.
Stable News 7 November 2009
Welcome again to my Monthly Newsletter for November
After a month with typical New Zealand weather things are starting to warm up and the grass is starting to grow on the farm.
Horses due to race in November are:
Wings Of An Angel, Sparkle N Glitter, Daniela Hantuchova and Henrik Zetterberg
Horses due to trial in November are:
Waipipi Lass & Here’s Johnny
Stable Star
Allin On The River is working along very nice so far so good so fingers crossed he makes it back to the racetrack.
Hydro Tread Mill
Our Hydro treadmill is coming along very slowly with hold ups beyond our control. We are really looking forward to getting this up and running. Hopefully it will be completed before Christmas.
Feedback:
Feedback is always welcome. You can do this by replying to this email or add it to the website form page.
2 year olds
The 2yos are working very well with a few of them looking to trail late November / December at this stage Here's Johnny seems to be the most forward Colt/ Gelding and Take the Chance the most forward Filly but you never know with 2yos they can change so quick.
Recent Sales to Australia
That’s Gold & Blackjack Dollar has joined the stable of Ashlee Siejka and Peter Russo. Ashlee and Peter have been a great asset to Abernethy Racing Stables buying a lot of our horses that have reached there mark here. They have brought Doctor Zeus, Fair Blazing, That’s Gold & Blackjack Dollar. Doctor Zeus has won 4 from 4. Fair blazing has had 13 starts for 6 wins and 3 Seconds & That’s Gold 1 Start for 1 win.
Stable Open Day
The Stable Open Day has been put back as there has been a few hold ups with the Hydro Treadmill. I Will look at having one later in the year.
November horse to follow
Henrik Zetterbreg only fair efforts to date but keep following your money he will show up at good odds one day soon.
Workouts Results
Auckland Workout Results 17/10/09
Abernethy Racing Stables had the 3 runners in Blackjack Dollar, Sparkle N Glitter, and That’s Gold. Blackjack Dollar won his heat impressive leading all the way winning by 3.5 lengths the time for the 2200 mobile was 2.51.4 last half in 58.8 quarter in 28.9 Sparkle n Glitter ran a distance 3rd but blew quite hard so shows there is improvement in her. That’s Gold was in a heat of 3 runners(Badlands Bromac & Bute Pacer) he lead early then trailed came out with 400 to run and won very nicely. The time for the 2200 meters mobile was 2.50.1 last half in 58 quarter 27.9
So with these results I hope and believe that the new owners of That’s Gold and Blackjack Dollar are going to have some good times ahead. Even if I am a bit sad to let them go, especially after good runs like today.
6 October 2009
Welcome again to my Monthly Newsletter for October.
Well we have had our first month of spring and for many it seems to have been a fairly mixed bag. Still it is better than what some other countries have been experiencing lately.
September has been another busy month for Abernethy Stables with a lot of horses getting near the trails/racing stage, as well as work on the farm.
Horses Due to Races in October
Henrik Zetterberg, Daniela Hantuchova, Wings Of An Angel, Blackjack Dollar will all be racing through October
Horses due to Trail in October
That’s Gold, Waipipi Lass and Sparkle N Glitter will all be trailing at some stage during October
Abernethy Racing Stables Open Day
For those that are interested in coming along to see how things work at Abernethy Racing Stables we are having a open day on the 7th November starting about 10am there will be a BBQ and light refreshments. A few Syndicate horses will be on show for their owners to watch work and get to meet other syndicate members. These horses included Macchiato, Take The Chance, and Sparkle N Glitter, as well as a few others that will be working with them.
Trails & Workout Results
26/09/2009 Workouts Results Cambridge-Te Awamutu H.R.C.
We had 3 horses in at the workouts on Saturday for 2 wins. Wings Of An Angel won her heat nicely. There was a field of seven starters, she covered the 2200 mobile event in 2.49.5 last 800m: 60.4 Last 400m: .29 Margins: 3 lengths, 1/2 length
Henrik Zetterberg won his heat also with seven starters he covered the 2200 mobile in 2.47 Last 800m: 58.8 Last 400m: .28.6 Margins: 1 length, 2 lengths
This Month horse to Follow
Henrik Zetterberg look out for him in non winners field he should go very close
26/09/2009 Workouts Results Cambridge-Te Awamutu H.R.C.
We had 3 horses in at the workouts on Saturday for 2 wins. Wings Of An Angel won her heat nicely. There was a field of seven starters, she cover the 2200 mobile event in 2.49.5 last 800m: 60.4 Last 400m: .29 Margins: 3 lengths, 1/2 length
Henrik Zetterberg won his heat also with seven starters he covered the 2200 mobile in 2.47 Last 800m: 58.8 Last 400m: .28.6 Margins: 1 length, 2 lengths
20 September 2009
The Race team is starting to get near racing again. We had a few line up at the
workouts on saturday. The 2yo are starting to bowl along nicely. For those that are interested I will be looking at having an opening day later in October, everyone is welcome to attend. For those that have shares in the 2yo & 3yo's they will be in action on the day. Also on show will be the new hydro treadmill and new stables which are both nearing completion.
What's on this week.
Auckland Races Friday Night
Daniela Hantuchova, Wings Of An Angel and possible Little Floozie Suzy.
Workout Results
Auckland Workouts Saturday 19/9/09
We had 3 runners this week Daniela Hantuchova, Waipipi Lass and Wings Of An Angel. Daniela Hantuchova went really well wining her heat, everything seems to on target for Friday night. Wings Of An Angel need the run but came through the trail alright so will be looking to race her on Friday as well. Waipipi Lass did a few things wrong but will be improved by the run.
This Month Horse to Follow
Daniela Hatuchova I will be looking at 25th September for her first start. Her trail from leading up so far has been faultless.
17 August 2009
Sweden Trip 2009
I left for Sweden with my Girlfriend Lisa who is from there on the 24 July and Returned on the 14th of August. Having broken a bone in my wrist in early July I was not allowed to drive which helped me decide to go to Sweden to have a look around and try and get new training idea’s and techniques.
Our trip started off badly with a five hour delay in Sydney then another hour delay in Singapore. This meant that by the time we got to London we had missed our connecting flight to Sweden, which resulted in us having another four hour delay before flying to Norway before driving three hours to Sweden. If it was any Consolation the trip home went extra good only delayed 30 mins in total.
A memorable part of our trip was the visiting of the three main tracks in Sweden as well and a few smaller ones. I was lucky enough to see last year elitlopp winner Torvald Palema race. I talked to some of trainers and blacksmith and got some very helpfully tips. One trainer let me fast work one of his horses on a 1000 meter straight track where they work 6 heats with a 1 min walk in between each heat. I also had the chance to pre race warm up a trotter 1 and a half hours before it race. All trotters in Sweden warm up at least once before they race which is a thing I would like to try over here (I can only try). I did notice most of the trotters over there race barefoot taking their shoes off before the race and then putting them back on the next day. The reason for this they said was that most trotters will not hit themselves when they have got no shoes on as its natural. I like the idea of having cross ties in the stables something I will add to my stables in the next few months. Also I was able to speak to the person who makes the automatic horse feeders and I was pleased with what I saw. Our discussion lasted for over an hour and I have now ordered some for my stables which will allow my horses to get a late feed a night and an early breakfast automatically. As the old saying goes “feed little and often” the use of the automatic feeders will allow me to make this more practical.
Other things I found interesting is that when most horses come in for there 2-Y-O Season they stay in for the rest of the lives with hardly any time off apart from a few days here and there. The way they train over there is they work the horses hard a few times a week then normally give them the next day off or a walk in the forest. They also do hill training with breaks on there carts for muscle building and a lot of them ride them they even have saddle trot races where people actually bet on them. I notice most of them are boxed a lot only going out in the paddocks for a few hours the paddocks are pretty bare too.
I found the tack shop interesting and I brought a lot of gear which I have never seen before over here which I will try on my horses as and when needed, which hopefully will be of benefit to them. One thing in particular is the side pole on the Race Carts. Our Carts are too small for two but I would like to try and put one on. I think it would really help horses that get in on the bends and saves using poles or prickers which are banned over there.
I did not spend all my time over in Sweden looking at horses as it was a holiday after all. I went to the biggest Fun Park Europe a few times which was really entertaining and is one of the best I have ever been too the rides where outstanding. I also spent a bit of time travelling around so I had a good look at Sweden which also included a few boat cruises as well as visiting other attractions. We also did a little bit of shopping for family and friends before returning home. Now my wrist is healed good it is great to be back, training and driving again.
I would like to thank all those I spoke to regarding while in Sweden regarding training ideas, techniques and products and I really appreciated the opportunities to work and warm up your horses. I wish you all well as it was a thoroughly enjoyable holiday.
31 July 2009
I would like to
thank everyone who has supported me throughout the last season and hope it continues for the coming 2010 season.
Plans of projects, some of which are in progress, at the Abernethy Racing Stables are a new underwater treadmill, this is nearing completion and expected to be operational by late September or early October. A new barn has been built with 8 more boxes 3.5 wide by 4.5 long allowing 19 horses to be boxed inside on the cold, wet days plus all paddocks have good horse shelter sheds in them.
Further enhancements to our facilities will include a horse walker as well as the inside jogging track being made deeper, for help with muscle building. New post and rail fences will be constructed for the colt paddocks and eventually post and rail fences will be around the inside of the track to go with the new internal fences which were put up in February this year.
Abernethy Racing Stables are looking positively and with excitement to the coming season and look to continue our good relationships we currently have with our owners and build further on our past successes.
I look forward to welcoming any new clients that are interested in utilising our training services and facilities.
Jay Abernethy
Jayesh Abernethy - 4 wins at Manawatu
05-Dec-2008
South Auckland's hugely talented reinsman Jayesh Abernethy drove four winners for the first time at Palmerston North tonight (December 4). In fact the gifted 25-year-old drove the first three winners on the card which culminated in a massive for $6756 treble for a $1 outlay.
Abernethy was rapped with the achievement but was quick to point out he never had put any money on himself.
"I'm just stoked to have driven four winners at a meeting for the first time. I've driven three winners four or five times but this is this is the first time I've won four. As for the treble, nah!" Abernethy said.
Abernethy made a lot of people happy at Manawatu Raceway tonight. In fact his first three winners resulted in the first training successes of the season for Palmerston North's Sean Henry (Quantum Jack), Tuakau's Henk Habraken (The Great Escape) and Feilding's Duncan Neilson (Kristine Winz).
The fourth - Striking Dash - trained by Brent Lilley at Kaiapoi was Abernethy's most impressive winner in the eighth of the 11 races.
"He absolutely jogged it. He can go on with it the way he won tonight. I'd like to be on him next start," Abernethy said.
Striking Dash, an 8-year-old Life Sign gelding was claimed back tonight by former owner, Canterbury's Carl Forrester. He paid $3500 for the bay.
Abernethy, who is based in Papakura, shot from 25th to 16th in the national driving premiership with his four victories. The 2006 Australasian Young Drivers Champion has now driven 13 winners and 22 place-getters from 105 drives this season. He has also won $110,714 in stake money.
In eight seasons of driving (two as an open horseman) Abernethy has driven 146 winners and more than $1.5m in stakes. He's also trained 10 winners in three seasons as a public trainer. He currently has 13 in work.
Undoubtedly one of the most promising young drivers going around in the north at present Abernethy surpassed 100 career winners in September last year. The 150 should come this month.
He has two drives at Alexandra Park tomorrow night (Friday). The Doug Gale and Wendy Williams trained Five Star Anvil in race four and stablemate Long John Anvil in the seventh event.
"Doug quite likes Five Star Anvil. The other fella is also a chance but 'Five Star' would definitely be the better winning prospect," Abernethy said.
Five Star Anvil is a 2yo McArdle colt who qualified well behind Sir Lincoln at Alexandra Park on November 25. He will line up in the first 2yo race of the 2008-2009 season in the $30,000 Euroglass young Gun Series Heat One Pace. He has drawn seven - one inside Mach Three colt, and likely favorite Sir Lincoln.
Duane RANGER (editor)
Courtesy of Harnesslink
FIRST TRAINING WIN FOR ABERNETHY
Young Papakura horseman Jay Abernethy trained his first winner at the Manukau Trotting Club's meeting at Alexandra Park this evening, January 26, less than two weeks after the death of his grandfather, Kevin Abernethy.
The well-respected trainer died on Monday January 15 after taking ill a few days earlier, the sudden turn so severe that Jay flew home immediately from Australia.
It was there that he was defending his title of Australasian Young Drivers Champion in Adelaide, and even though the decision to come back was never in question, it was made easier by the fact that he was unlikely to win it again.
"I missed the last four races but I couldn't have won, I may have run a placing but that was it."
Following Kevin's death, at the prompt of his tight-knit family, Jay took out his trainer's license to prepare the family horses.
"My family really wanted me to do it, and I was probably going to look at doing it next season anyway," he told Harnesslink.
"Between us, we owned probably 90% of the team and always worked them together."
One of those horses, Waipipi Express, saluted the judge in tonight's The Mill Liquorsave Mobile Pace (2700 metres) in what could be described at best as a poor field of one win pacers.
Still, all you can do is win, and that he did, defeating the five other horses easily by a length and three quarters in a time of 3.31.3 for the 2700 metres.
"He's a great horse, he tries real hard and is so honest, and it was good to get my first win with him."
Another of the Abernethy's horses, Elite Belle, has been racing well in North America and Canada, and racked up another win recently.
Courtesy of Harnesslink
