HEAT WINNER: Northern Danjaro, owned by Noel and Kevin Pattison of Shepparton and driven and trained by Bill Morgan of Seymour wins his heat of the Australasian Breeders Crown Series at Yarra Glen.ON TRACK FOR A WIN: Seymour trainer Bill Morgan takes NortBy KATH GANNAWAY
YARRA VALLEY Racing Centre hosted four heats of the Australasian Breeders Crown Series, the premier juvenile harness racing series in the Southern Hemisphere, on Monday, 1 August.
The series, first run in 1998, tests the mettle of the most promising two and threeyearold pacers and trotters from around Australia and New Zealand.
On Monday, 43 threeyearold colts and geldings took to the barrier for the 2150 metre run on a fast track in magnificent conditions.
Bill Morgan, Seymour trainer and driver of threeyearold Northern Danjaro, who won his heat on the brilliant new Yarra Glen track, said the series is a highlight of the harness racing year.
“It is a fairly complex series with mares nominated before foals are born. Those foals then compete as two year olds and three year olds in the heats, and, hopefully, make it through to the finals,” he said.
“Northern Danjaro is into the semi finals at Cranbourne on the 14 (August) and if he qualifies for the finals it is going to be against some pretty tough competition.”
Mr Morgan is hoping his twoyearold Safe Breaker, who came in third in the heats at Ballarat last Thursday will get into the semi finals.
A trainer and driver for more than 30 years, Mr Morgan has had more than a passing acquaintance with the Yarra Glen track.
Asked for his verdict on the new harness track, he gave it a definite thumbs up, rating it ‘ideal’ for drivers and horses.
“The good turns and big open space is the way all tracks are heading now,” he said. It’s far, far better than the old track and you will see horses running quicker times at Yarra Glen now than they used to.”
The 2005 Australasian Breeders Crown will culminate with the running of Australia’s richest country raceday at Cranbourne on Sunday afternoon, 21 August.
