The votes have been counted and the winners announced at the ICE Bloodstock Harness Racing Awards Dinner in Christchurch, New Zealand for the country's harness racing awards and as expected one horse dominated.
On Saturday night, New Zealand celebrated the many successes of the exciting 2008/09 season which was headlined by Dexter Dunn’s tremendous achievements. Auckland Reactor continued to shine as the star pacer, and who could forget Kiwi Ingenuity’s outstanding NZ Mile Record set at the increasingly popular Harness Jewels.
Below are the 2009 winners. Please note a total of 36 voting papers were received.
PACING
2YO Colt or Gelding of the Year - SMILING SHARD
Grinfromeartoear / Sly Shard
Owners: Chrissie Dalgety, Alistair Rooney, Allan Vernel, Peter Gorman
Votes Received: 36
2YO Pacing Filly – GOTTA GO HARMONY
Christian Cullen / Elect To Live
Owner: Sue Martin
Votes received: 19
(Flying Pocketlands 15 votes, Lancome 1 vote, Yankee Dream 1 vote)
3YO Pacing Colt or Gelding – STUNIN CULLEN
Christian Cullen / Vicario
Owners: Terence McDonald, Edwin Griffin
Votes Received: 28
(Sleepy Tripp 8 votes)
3YO Pacing Filly – LAURAELLA
Christian Cullen / Black Maire
Owners: Hardwood Breeding Syndicate
Votes Received: 36
4YO Pacing Entire or Gelding – AUCKLAND REACTOR
Mach Three / Atomic Lass
Owner: Auckland Reactor Ltd
Votes Received: 36
4YO Pacing Mare – KIWI INGENUITY
Christian Cullen / Kiwi Express
Owners: Hamish Scott, Dr Kim Lawson, Abbey Smith, Equine Investments Ltd
Votes Received: 36
5YO & Over Pacing Entire or Gelding – CHANGEOVER
In The Pocket / Chaangerr
Owners: ATC Trot 2006 Syndicate
Vote Received: 31
(Monkey King 5 votes)
5YO & Over Pacing Mare – NEAREA FRANCO
Badlands Hanover / No Paba
Owner: Spreydon Lodge Ltd
Votes received: 34
(Special Ops 2 votes)
Pacer of the Year – AUCKLAND REACTOR
Votes Received: 36
TROTTING
2YO Trotting Colt or Gelding – THE FIERY GINGA
CR Commando / Anreca Hest
Owners: Alan Clark, Fiona Clark, Stephen Thompson
Votes Received: 36
2YO Trotting Filly – JINJA GAL
S J’s Photo / Aspiring Gal
Owner: Grant Adamson
Votes received: 29
(Continental Auto 7 votes)
3YO Trotting Colt or Gelding – IMA GOLD DIGGER
Sundon / Janetta’s Pride
Owners: Allan Georgeson, Lorraine Georgeson, Lee Georgeson, Jane Georgeson
Votes received: 36
3YO Trotting Filly – POCARO
Sundon / Niamey
Owners: Trevor Casey, Tim Wheelan, James Wheelan, Shane Hausler
Votes received: 36
4YO Trotting Entire or Gelding – LEIGHTON HEST
Dream Vacation / Whitney Hest
Owners: Colin Campbell, Katrina Noone, Don Dennison, Peter Noone,
Votes Received: 32
(Sovereignty 4 votes)
4YO Trotting Mare – WITH INTENT
Sundon / Total Perception
Votes received: 18
(Heyzeal 17 votes, Yankee Nova 1 vote)
5YO & Over Trotting Colt or Gelding – STIG
Armbro Invasion / Naraya
Owners: Tim Butt, Andrea Butt, Jim Boyd, Ross Thomas
Votes Received: 36
5YO & Over Trotting Mare – ONE OVER KENNY
Sundon / Frances Jay Bee
Owners: Lex Williams, Heather Williams
Votes Received: 36
Trotter of the Year – STIG
Votes Received: 27
(One Over Kenny 9 votes)
HORSE OF THE YEAR
AUCKLAND REACTOR
Votes Received: 36
OTHER AWARDS
Owner of the Year – IAN DOBSON
Breeder of the Year – SANDY & JAN YARNDLEY
Unsung Hero – ANNE PHILLIPS
Broodmare of the Year – JANETTA'S PRIDE
Owners: Keith Grice and Bevan Grice
Stallion of the Year – CHRISTIAN CULLEN
Owners: Ian Dobson, Doreen Dobson
Leading Trainer – MARK PURDON & GRANT PAYNE
Cruickshank Leading Junior Driver – DEXTER DUNN
Leading Driver - DEXTER DUNN
Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing – JIM DALGETY