Neville Hazlett (left) and Steve Hardiman, the breeders of
Pyramid Monarch, who won at Oamaru yesterday. Photo by Matt
Smith.
Steve Hardiman and Neville Hazlett could not have asked
for much more as first-time breeders at Oamaru yesterday.
The pair made the trip north to watch Pyramid Monarch make
her debut in the non-winners trot yesterday after patiently
waiting for her to hit the track.
The 3yr-old Monarchy filly did not disappoint, stepping well
to the lead before handing up to stablemate Monty Python and
finishing over the top of him in the closing stages to win by
one length.
Hardiman, who lives just south of Riversdale near Gore, and
Hazlett, of Roxburgh, along with Ray Lowe, of Invercargill,
decided to switch to breeding their own horse after being
part of the Fillies and Colts Syndicate which raced Diedre's
Dearest, the dam of Pyramid Monarch.
''We've had a syndicate for 15 or 16 years and three of us
have branched out,'' Hardiman said.
''This is the first start, after a four-year wait by the time
we got [Diedre's Dearest] in foal, and this is a real
thrill.''
Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson had prepared Diedre's Dearest
for much of her career and the trio went to the trotting
stallion Monarchy for their first attempt at breeding.
We took Phil's advice and did what we were told and went to
the stallions recommended and now we're right there.
The Fillies and Colts Syndicate had mixed success over the
years, including Petticoat Junction, who won three races in
New Zealand before being sold to the United States. ''We had
quite a few wins over the years, but it was very hard to
consistently have a good horse which you need for a
syndicate, I think.''
Williamson is also training 2yr-old Armbro Invasion colt
Pyramid Magic for the three southerners. Hardiman said the
Pyramid moniker is here to stay.
''I live at Pyramid [3km south of Riversdale],'' Hardiman
said.
''It'll always be our breeding name. [Our family] have been
at Pyramid since 1894.''
Williamson also had further success with the progeny of
Monarchy yesterday when Monnay won. The 5yr-old gelding was
sent to Williamson by owners and former trainers Megan Irvine
and Ivan Gutsell. The move paid off immediately when he
trotted boldly to win by 1 lengths over Amy's Invasion in the
2-6 win trot.
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