Racing: Season of tears had its triumphs

Jaccka Justy and Jonny Cox on their way to victory in the group 1 Dominion Trot at Addington in...
Jaccka Justy and Jonny Cox on their way to victory in the group 1 Dominion Trot at Addington in November. PHOTO: MATT SMITH
The Diamond One and Rory Hutchings combined for an unforgettable win in the group 3 White Robe...
The Diamond One and Rory Hutchings combined for an unforgettable win in the group 3 White Robe Lodge Handicap at Wingatui in February. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH

The past 12 months have produced a season that few in Otago racing circles will forget in a hurry. From floods to tragic deaths to triumphs against adversity, the 2014-15 season has had it all. Matt Smith looks back at the season in review.

AUGUST

Wingatui thoroughbred trainer Paul Richards announces his plans to move to Auckland to continue his training career.

Wild Bill wins during the Grand National carnival, one of five wins for the Joanne Hillis-trained galloper over the season.

Jaccka Justy is crowned Otago Harness Horse Of The Year, but there's more to come.

Follow The Stars and Kept Under Wraps run the quinella in the Breeders Crown 2yr-old male pacing final in Victoria - both horses are part-owned by Phil and Margaret Creighton, of East Taieri.

SEPTEMBER

Forbury Park Trotting Club members vote to stay with the governance structure that has been in place since the late 1990s in the second vote in 12 months.

Nine-win trotter King Kenny is retired after injuring a suspensory in a race at Addington.

Tiger Tara wins the Hannon Memorial. Waikouaiti harness trainer Andrew Faulks decides to move north to Canterbury.

OCTOBER

Have Faith In Me runs second to Art Union in a Sires Stakes heat at Forbury Park, before producing one of the best seasons by a 3yr-old in recent years.

White Robe Lodge-bred Who Shot Thebarman wins the group 3 Bart Cummings at Flemington and White Robe stallion Raise The Flag sires his first winner at Wingatui in late October.

NOVEMBER

Who Shot Thebarman provides a special result for the Otago breeding industry by running third in the Melbourne Cup.

His mother, Ears Carol, gives birth to a Raise The Flag filly a few days later.

Paul Richards leaves Wingatui a winner thanks to Sofia Loren.

Jaccka Justy produces a stunning sprint to win the time-honoured group 1 Dominion at Addington.

DECEMBER

Habibti Ivy wins on debut at Oamaru and later goes on to win the NZ Trotting Oaks.

Mick Prendergast becomes the second driver to steer home a winner at the age of 81 when he saluted behind Holdon Toyaspurs.

He had the record as the oldest person to drive a winner in New Zealand to himself when he won again in May.

JANUARY

Vulcan joins Lyell Creek, Take A Moment, One Over Kenny and I Can Doosit in the millionaire trotters' club when he wins the trotting feature at Omakau.

Otago's biggest thoroughbred meeting of the year - Champions Day at Wingatui - is abandoned after one race due misty rain on the morning of the races making the grass track slippery.

FEBRUARY

Wingatui trainer Steven Anderton is fatally injured by the door of his float truck.

Just three days after Anderton's death, The Diamond One unwinds to win the White Robe Lodge handicap for Anderton's wife, Claire, and his father, Hec, in an emotional win for anyone on course that day.

Bruce Negus matches the efforts of his father, Bob, by winning the Waikouaiti Cup with Quick As A Trick.

Bollinger, bred by Phil and Margaret Creighton, tops the standardbred yearling sales at Christchurch when he is knocked down for $200,000.

MARCH

Terry Moseley reaches 900 career wins courtesy of a Cromwell Cup win on To The Max at Cromwell.

The Otago Racing Club meeting at Wingatui is called off after one race when a 2yr-old slips at the 800m.

The Diamond One claims her second group win in a row when she holds on in the Cuddle Stakes at Trentham, while Include wins the South Island Breeders' at Riccarton.

APRIL

Another meeting at Wingatui is cut short, this time after six races were run.

The Wrath Of Robyn upsets his more fancied rivals to win the Forbury 4&5yr-old championship.

Smokin Bird wins the Southland Oaks for Dunedin trainer Kevin Court and driver Jonny Cox, a good friend of Court's son Ryan, who died a year prior.

Belkmyster keeps his large syndicate happy with victory in the group 3 Rangiora Classic.

Veteran greyhound Homebush Chopper wins the Dunedin Cup.

MAY

Dexter Dunn drives seven winners at Forbury Park on May 8, joining Tony Herlihy and Doug Watts as the only drivers to claim seven at one meeting.

Onedin Mach (6th, 4yr-old emerald) and Starlight Starbright (6th, 3yr-old ruby) are the best Otago results from the Harness Jewels.

High Forty carries 70kg but shows plenty of tenacity to win the Otago Steeplechase.

JUNE

Severe flooding in Dunedin forces the abandonment of Forbury Park's June 4 meeting.

Deep scouring and other damage forces the club to move the following week's meeting to Gore.

Rainfall on the morning of June 18 causes the Oamaru Jockey Club's meeting at Oamaru to be abandoned after one race, following two weeks of good weather.

Former Dunedin driver Jack Trainor wins the NSW Rising Stars Championship in Australia.

JULY

High Forty wins a steeplechase at Timaru on July 10, his fourth of the season. Oamaru driver Matthew Williamson reaches his 500th career driving win behind Springbank Eden at Addington.

South Island jockey Ross Doherty dies at Wingatui.

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