The former Graeme Anderson-trained pacer beat a strong line-up of category winners to take the overall title. The now sidelined Titan Banner was the early star of the South Island’s free-for all ranks at the beginning of last season. He won the Maurice Holmes Vase, Hannon Memorial and Methven Cup, all group 3 races. He also ran second behind Vincent in the group 1 Auckland Cup.
Titan Banner has been in Sydney since January and has not raced since breaking a pedal bone.
The Anderson stable also enjoyed success with Motu Top Mach, Eamon Maguire, Millwood Daisy and New Years Jay winning their respective categories.
Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson was crowned Otago trainer of the year.
His horses, Oscar Bonavena, Majestic Man, Kenny’s Dream, Alderbeck and Monty Python, scored category wins.
Stable drivers Matthew Williamson and Charlotte Purvis were crowned driver of the year and junior driver of the year, respectively.
Lazarus’s all-conquering season enabled his co-breeder, Gavin Chin, to be named breeder of the year.
Lazarus’s dam, Bethany, won the broodmare excellence award.
Field Marshal’s record-breaking Miracle Mile win helped his Mosgiel owners, Syd and Shona Brown, take home two awards.
Field Marshal beat a star-studded line up to be crowned best Otago owned horse of last season.
The Browns were also presented with a special award in recognition of Field Marshal’s
southern hemisphere mile record in his Miracle Mile win.
Significant contribution awards were presented to Dunedin trainer-driver Ali Mal-colmson and Central Otago owner-trainer-breeder and administrator Lionel Sinnamon.
Full results: 2yr-old trotter, Oscar Bonavena; 2yr-old pacer, Motu Top Mach; 3yr-old pacing filly; Easton Foxglove; 3yr-old pacing male, Archman; 3yr-old trotting male, Majestic Man; 3yr-old trotting filly, Kenny’s Dream; 4yr-old pacing male, Eamon Maguire; 4yr-old pacing mare, Millwood Daisy; 4yr-old trotting male, Ace Commander; 4yr-old trotting mare, Pres The Belle; 5yr-old and older pacing male, Titan Banner; 5yr-old and older trotting male, Monty Python; 5yr-old and older trotting mare, Alderbeck; 5yr-old and older pacing mare, New Years Jay; broodmare excellence, Bethany. Breeder of the year, Gavin Chin; best Otago-owned horse, Field Marshal; trainer of the year, Phil Williamson, driver of the year, Matthew Williamson; junior driver of the year, Charlotte Purvis. Special achievement award, Field Marshal; significant contribution award, Ali Malcolmson, Lionel Sinnamon; Otago harness horse of the year, Titan Banner.
