Looking back at the season's highlights

Barnes and Anderton after Include's Dunedin Guineas victory at Wingatui in February. Photos by...
Barnes and Anderton after Include's Dunedin Guineas victory at Wingatui in February. Photos by Matt Smith
Include proved to be a favourite horse of both Courtney Barnes and Brian Anderton this year.
Include proved to be a favourite horse of both Courtney Barnes and Brian Anderton this year.

The 2013-14 season has just a week left before it is consigned to the annals of history, so racing-sports reporter Matt Smith got on the phone and found out from some of the local trainers, drivers, jockeys and administrators what happened to be their memorable moments from the season.

Graeme Anderson
Westwood Beach
harness trainer
Belkmyster winning all those races last season. He went from a c1 to c8. The strike rate (.4325) was good- I was pretty happy with that. Also Highview Anwell winning the sprint series at Forbury Park and Mako Banner progressing, along with King Kenny's return to racing.

Brian Anderton
North Taieri thoroughbred trainer-breeder
The team ran well enough this year, but Include winning the Dunedin and Southland Guineas was great. On the breeding side, Who Shot Thebarman winning the Auckland Cup was a big highlight as well.

Steven Anderton
Wingatui thoroughbred trainer
The Diamond One's White Robe Lodge win - it's one I loved to win on my home track. Also, The Solitaire's placing in the group 1 International Stakes at Te Rapa.

Courtney Barnes
Wingatui apprentice jockey
Winning the Dunedin and Invercargill Guineas on Include because they were my first listed winners.

Jonny Cox
Westwood Beach harness trainer-driver
Jaccka Justy's group 3 win in the Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup would have to be up there. And the Golden Girls win with Shya - she did well to last as long as she did. She's now retired after her leg blew out at Addington earlier this monthToni DireenWingatui apprentice jockeyRunning second in the listed Timaru Cup on Dr Dee Bee would definitely be one and also third in the Dunedin Gold Cup on Monachee being beaten a head too.

Peter Gillespie
Forbury Park Trotting Club president
New Years Jay coming back after that long injury layoff, and seeing BJ (Brian) Anderton - a man who everyone in racing has a huge amount of respect for - quite emotional about the win. Also, the dual-code day at Wingatui in March was another very positive thing. It was great to see the pacers and trotters back on the grass at the 'Tui.

John Guthrie
Otago Greyhound Racing Club president
We've got some better systems in place at our club now. We've just finished putting some new kennels in and we've got a lot of projects coming up down the track.

Terry Kennedy
Wingatui thoroughbred trainer
Matching last season's total of 13 was good. Hopefully, I can get one or two more at Wingatui on Monday.

Andre Klein
Otago Racing Club chief executive
The atmosphere on course at the Think Pink Raceday at Wingatui on Queen's Birthday was great.

Geoff and Jude Knight
Roxburgh harness trainers
We had less than our average number of wins, but buying Al Raza and winning four with her was good, after selling Expressionist and buying her. We are big supporter of the claimers, and it was good to see Hi Gun race so well as a 10yr-old. He raced eight times, was never further back than third and won the final.

Malcolm Little
Gallop South chief executive
We've battled the weather and a record number of abandonments, but the highlight would be Christmas at the Races at Invercargill (in December). Fantastic racing, a really good crowd and the weather was great. Easter at Riverton was a very good racing weekend, particularly the jumps racing. And on the horse front, Natuzzi coming out of the region and winning in Australia and almost grabbing a group 1 was good to see.

Shankar Muniandy
Wingatui jockey
Riding a winner back in Malaysia on My Swallow. It was great riding a winner in my home town as I had never ridden there before.

Paul Richards
Wingatui thoroughbred trainer
Natuzzi - especially his win in Melbourne (in the Pink Ribbon Cup at Caulfield). That was pretty special - it's not easy to do and he managed to do it. Plus his Lightning Stakes win - even his run in the Telegraph. He gave us a lot of thrills this year, even though he only won a couple of races.

Brad Williamson
Oamaru harness driver
Getting in the junior drivers' champs this year. I came close last year leading into the last race so hopefully I can go one better this year (on July 31).

Matthew Williamson
Oamaru harness driver
Having my first ever New Zealand Cup drive behind Four Starzzz Flash and winning the interprovincial drivers' series with Jonny Cox in Invercargill.

Phil Williamson
Oamaru harness trainer
Monnay winning off 70m at Forbury Park this month, but even through the year, he's been very consistent, winning five races. Also, the continued success of our family.

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