Open pacer Cruisinart may have had an abbreviated 2011 season, but he sure made the most of it. With seven wins from 13 starts and 10 top-three finishes, the Johnny Heffernan-owned pacer took home the top award at the track's annual awards night, which was held Saturday, April 28 in Sydney

.

A great crowd of approximately 300 were on hand at the Horizon Achievement Centre for the event. Cruisinart, who was handled by Myles Heffernan for most of the season, would dominate the top class at Northside to kick off 2011, pacing to a season’s best 1:57.

Shes Got Appeal was voted Mare of the Year after having racked up five wins on the season and over $4,200 in season’s earnings for owner, trainer, and driver Harold LeBlanc Jr. Frank and Karen MacMaster’s Accelerated Putnam was voted Iron Pacer of the Year, pacing to new record of 1:57.1 in 2011 while battling the open class for much of the season.

A number of claiming horses and mares were recognized for their efforts in various divisions. Delicate Cam, (Dave Kelly Jr.), Mr Gilmour, (Andrew Campbell), Carters Star (Brian O’Donnell), Electric Prince and Prince Of Hope, (Heather Hawkins), all took home top claiming awards. Prince Of Hope was also the track’s leading dash winning horse in 2011, sporting nine victories.

Two-year-old award winners were P H Ivy for owners Kevin Bailey and Monty Northen in the filly division, and Junebugs Baby for Fraser and John Turnbull Jr. in the colt division. Sophmore division winners included the filly Hot Diggity Della for George Della Valle and Liams Legacy for Myles Heffernan. Nova Scotia Stakes Series Awards went to Mooshy Mooshy Bea and Putnams Power.

In the driver’s category three reinsmen were honoured in their respective divisions. Joe Campbell (10-49), Gerard Kennedy, (50-99), and Myles Heffernan (100+) drives all took home awards. Trainer’s awards for the same numbers of starts went to Frank MacMaster, Myles Heffernan, and Heather Hawkins.

Carey Romeo was honoured as Rookie Driver of the Year, with the North Sydney native picking up 20 wins in his first season in the bike. Ryan Campbell captured his second straight leading dash winning driver award, recording 31 victories at Northside in 2011. Myles Heffernan captured the Wilson Collins Top Driver award. Heffernan, despite being sidelined from early August until the end of the season, recorded a .390 UDR while driving winners at an impressive 24.6 per cent clip.

The 2012 season is set to kick off Saturday May 19 with the first qualifying session scheduled for May 5.

(Northside Downs)