What a week or so for Yorkshire Park as we have endured the highs and lows of harness racing all in a short period of time. Whitney H was magnificent in her recent win at Bendigo after having to do work early then come four wide in the straight to run over the top of a really good field which subsequently has produced a number of winners. Social Fireball continued her excellent form with a solid 2nd in the repechage of the Breeders Crown 2YO fillies at Maryborough in another solid performance. All was looking good for the next outing for both fillies. But as soon as you think all is good it can come quickly crashing down around you. Whitney H ventured to Charlton last week and on the back of some really good form we expected her to be right in the finish. And that was the case as she charged to the lead with 50 meters to go looking all over a winner before she ducked in and galloped and eventually finished 3rd in the event. If that wasn’t hard enough to take the Yorkshire Park bred Social Fireball who has been terrific for Brooke Hansen & Tim Mortlock this season, took to the big stage at Melton on harness racings’ biggest day the Group One Breeders Crown final. Unfortunately the ultra consistent filly galloped early and was pulled out of the event by driver Gavin Lang. She has been so good in the lead with a win, four seconds and a fourth in her previous starts. That’s racing!!! Both fillies will now go to the paddock for a well deserved break.
Yorkshire Park’s other good filly Watch The Dream will return to the trials this coming week after having a three month spell. Trainer Shane Tritton advises that she is coming along well and has matured and improved her attitude to racing. Hopefully her return to the race track will coincide with the return of her regular driver Lauren Panella from injury.
Bring on August!!
Another season nears completion and we eagerly await the breeding season and the first of our foals. But before we get to that August is also Breeders Crown month and the culmination of the big Group races being contested by pacers and trotters from all over Australasia. I must admit the Breeders Crown series for me is the pinnacle and a credit to the Harness racing industry. And the good news for Yorkshire Park, we will be represented in the heats at Maryborough on the 10th with the Yorkshire Park bred trotting filly Social Fireball who I am sure will acquit herself well. Drawn barrier 9 and up against the 2 YO NZ trotting sensation High Gait and the Victorian Princess Pheonix, Social Fireball will have the services of master reinsman Gavin Lang. Good luck to trainer Brooke Hansen and owner Tim Mortlock, let’s hope she qualifies for the big final on August 31st.
Whitney H continues on her racing path with a luckless 4th at Yarra Valley on the 3rd but will follow up with a run at Bendigo on the 14th. Trainer John Caldow is still pleased with the way Whitney is going and we look forward to another solid effort and hopefully a winning one on Friday. Watch The Dream also continues on her return to the race track and trainer Shane Tritton reports she is coming along nicely. All things being equal we should be back at the trial within the next fortnight or so.
Pleasing to see a number of Yorkshire Park bred horses back at the races with Cavalier Christian and My Aliyana venturing back to the track. Good luck to their owners and hopefully a win will follow soon.
This year Yorkshire Park will be represented by four yearlings at the APG yearling sales, two colts and two fillies. I’m pleased with the way they are progressing and with a good spring in front of them we expect that they will be in great condition for the sales. (see yearling sales section for further details).
Our Major In Art / Back Cover Lover rising two year old filly is back in work with trainer Paul Campbell and despite the fact that she is small in size she doesn’t lack any attitude in the process. The other filly in work, For A Reason / Our Suicide Blonde rising two year old will go to the paddock for three months as she continues to grow and develop. Paul is of the opinion that she needs the time out to develop further.
Good luck,
Yorkshire Park team.
BREEDING SCENE 2014
I’m happy to confirm the following Yorkshire Park mares have foals for 2014.
Lombo Socialite – Somebeachsomewhere colt foal born 17th November, 2014.
Rock Me Gently – Smiling Shard colt born 27th November, 2014.
Our Suicide Blonde – Lincoln Royal filly born 30th December, 2014 .
My Little Black Dress – Auckland Reactor filly born 13th October 2014.
Vickymurphy – Falcon Seelster filly born 30th September, 2014.
Shes In Vogue – Major In Art colt born 14th December, 2014.
BOOKINGS For Breeding this season 2015.
Lombo Socialite has been booked to Courage Under Fire – in foal.
My Little Black Dress booked to Pet Rock. – in foal.
Vickymurphy booked to A Rocknroll Dance – in foal.
Fay Christian booked to Falcon Seelster – in foal.
Ima Ritzi Lombo booked to Alto Christiano – in foal.
La Tonneralla booked to Majestic Son. – in foal.
Rock Me Gently booked to Sportswriter. – in foal.