News Briefs : Sept 22

South Coast Arden shines at trials

Northern gun South Coast Arden has won his first trial in Canterbury as he builds up to the New Zealand Cup on Tuesday November 9. At Rangiora this afternoon the four-year-old, driven by Natalie Rasmussen, won the five horse hit-out by a length from Bettor Twist. The time for the 2600m was 3:21.5, the last 800 in 56.6, the last 400 in 27.9.

Williams hits 600

Every post’s a winner for Tim Williams right now. He had career win number 600 when Kerri Maguire won at Addington last Friday, and then he drove Henry Hubert to victory in the Group Three Hannon Memorial at Oamaru on Sunday.

LBJ on this Friday

The 76th Little Brown Jug, North America’s premier pacing race for the three-year-olds , is on this Friday. Thirteen horses will fight it out in Delaware, Ohio with Dexter Dunn down to drive Always A Miki trained by Nancy Takter and Rockyroad Hanover (Tony Alagna) in the two Jug eliminations. Last year Joe Bongiorno won with Captain Barbossa on his 27th birthday.

Top money earner out

Hambletonian winner Captain Corey will miss the rest of the season because of a hairline fracture in his left front foot. The Ake Svanstedt-trained star has won his last four in North America. The injury is not thought to be career threatening. The three-year-old colt is the leading stakes earner in the US this year with $US758,695.

Good turnovers for the week

Betting turnover at harness racing meetings in this country have hit a new high since the new season started on August 1. At the four meetings last week the total turnover was $2,797,247 – with Addington on Friday ($920,544) and Oamaru on Sunday ($858,957) leading the way.