Big prizemoney for 2YO trotters in NZ incentivizes breeding

A high value racing program designed to promote the breeding, buying and racing of young trotters in New Zealand has resulted in the stability of the number of trotting mares being bred in the country.

A suite of eight Group and Listed races for two-year-old trotters were contested this year. 

They included the Group 1 $110,000 NZ Sires’ Stakes Championship, the Listed $75,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million, the Group 3 $45,000 NZ Trotting Stakes, the Group 3 $45,000 Young Guns, the Group 3 $45,000 2YO Fillies Classique, the Group 3 $44,000 The Sundon, the Group 3 $44,000 Gold Bracelet and the Group 3 $43,000 Southern Classic.

A new stallion hoping to reap the benefits of the higher stakes and increased racing opportunities for baby trotters in NZ is the exciting, young American import On A Streak, who is standing at Darryl Brown’s Wai Eyre Farm in mid-Canterbury 

On A Streak was an exceptional two-year-old himself, winning more than $850,000 including the Breeders Crown in race record time and he was the Canadian 2YO Trotting Colt of the Year in 2020.

A son of influential sire Cantab Hall, the sire of Father Patrick and Volstead, On A Streak belongs to one of North America’s leading families with his dam Habit’s Best being a half-sister to the millionaire trotter Civil Action, winner of the Peter Haughton Memorial and runner-up in the Elitloppet.

On A Streak’s first crop are rising two-year-olds and there are rave reviews about his stock from leading horse people in both Australia and NZ.

Leading Sydney trainer-driver Blake Fitzpatrick said his On A Streak yearling colt out of Falaise Madrik Fra “has been impressive since day one.”

“He has a really nice attitude and is a well balanced trotter,” Blake said.

“He looks like he will go early. I will be looking to a green trial in the coming weeks then he will have a small break over Christmas.”

Cambridge horsewoman Arna Donnelly, who purchased the On A Streak-Imsettogo (by Used To Me) yearling colt at this year’s Christchurch sales, said: “I liked him at the sales. He had quite a long barrel and a striking head. I just loved his attitude and temperament at the sales. 

“He broke in great, he just trots beautifully. Everything we ask of him he does and he is so willing. He’s been bowling around doing halves in 20 with the pacers and has done everything like leading up and trailing,” Arna stated.

“He covers the ground nicely, has a really nice stride on him and doesn’t touch himself at all. 

 “He really wants to please you, he’s just so willing. He’s back in work at the moment and doing a bit more education. He’ll go out for another spell just before Christmas.

“He strikes me as the type that could go early because of his wonderful attitude and gait.” 

Ohoka trainer Tom Bagrie, who prepares the rising two-year-old Petite Streaker, said the colt “has been the ultimate tradesman from day one.”

 “He is a clean gaited and a natural trotter that has progressed from breaking in through to now without missing a beat,” Bagrie said. 

“He’s out for a short spell now and will look to qualify early next season.”

Victorian horsebreaker Mark Driscoll described his On A Streak filly Fremarks Streaka, who qualified as a yearling at the Geelong trials last Monday, as a ‘’real little professional”.

“She’s a lovely natural smooth gaited trotter. She’s a real sweetheart and lovely to have in the stable,” Driscoll said.