Champion pacer Chicago Bull NZ has been crowned the 2019/2020 WA Harness Horse of the Year at this evening’s function held on Wednesday, 17 March at Crown Perth.
Trained by Gary Hall Snr, the pacer was recognised at tonight’s WA Harness of the Year Awards for his impressive season after returning from a 10-month break, which saw him record 17 wins and eight placings from 25 starts in the 2019/2020 season. With an extraordinary return to top form, his success culminated with a win in the Fremantle Cup in November.
Special mention goes to powerhouse King of Swing NZ, who was awarded the prestigious Australian Harness Horse of the Year, Australian Pacer of the Year, Aged Pacing Horse/Gelding of the Year and the Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit Champion.
The champion horse of the season, King of Swing NZ had four Group 1 wins and rounded out the 2019/2020 season with a win in the Blacks a Fake Queensland Championship at Albion Park in December.
As one of the State’s best of the season, Black Jack Baby took out the 2-Year-Old Filly of the Year award. The Follow the Stars filly won eight of her 11 starts, including the Group 1 Westbred Classic, and the listed Westsired 2-Year-Old Fillies Pace.
The Greg and Skye Bond trained Patronus Star NZ was named 3-Year-Old Colt or Gelding of the Year, having won ten of his sixteen starts, including the WA Derby, the Binshaw and San Simeon.
Ross Olivieri trained Double Expresso had an outstanding season, seeing her take out the 3-Year-Old Filly of the Year with five wins and five placings in her thirteen starts. Her wins included the three classics - the Daintys Daughter, Caduceus Club and 3YO Fillies Sales.
Under the trainer ship of Justin Prentice, Mighty Ronaldo proved himself to be a worthy winner of the 2YO Colt of the Year. The son of Alto Christiano NZ won the listed Western Crown and Group 1 Golden Slipper last year.
With trainer Gary Hall Sr at the helm, Balcatherine NZ had a consistent season against some of the State’s toughest mares culminating her season winning the Mares Classic and taking out the Aged Mare of the Year award
Chris Voak produced an incredible season and was named the State’s Driver of the Year. He proved hard work is the mantra for success, which was reflected in 264 wins, including three Group 1 successes, the 2019 Mares Classic, the 4-Year-Old Classic and the Westbred 2-Year-Old Fillies Classic.
The season’s Young Achiever Award was taken out by Emily Suvaljko, who had a very creditable total of 113 wins and has built a reputation as a highly composed and competent reinswoman since obtaining her junior licence in 2018.
Training partnership Greg and Skye Bond had a terrific season, taking out Trainer of the Year for the season. With 276 winners, the highlight was a win in the WA Pacing Cup with Mighty Conqueror.
With a highly successful season, Princess Mila won Trotter of the Year, obtaining eight wins from 16 starts. The filly had an impressive season and set the pace for a number of feature races through the year including the Allwood Stud Farm trot.
Peter Trefort was awarded Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Service to Industry . Award. Peter has a 50 year long involvement in the harness racing industry, and has participated as a trainer and owner and held numerous voluntary roles including committee representative, club office bearer and industry representative.
Peter has been a member of the Narrogin Race Club for 50 years, spending eight of these years in the role of President, and was an advocate for the formation of the dual code racing facility in Narrogin. Peter is the Vice President of the WA Country Harness Racing Association and is the country representative on the Harness Consultative Group Committee
Steve Butler was awarded the Harness Media Award, delivering multiple feature stories throughout the year. The highlighted piece was the emotional story about Gardy’s Legacy playing a role in bringing together family and friends following the tragic loss of the late Shane Gardiner.
“It was fantastic to be part of an incredibly successful season for the WA harness racing industry and its participants, producing outstanding results and some of the best racing talent in the country,” said RWWA General Manager, Racing, Charlotte Mills.
“Each of the award winners made a significant contribution to the season’s success during an extraordinary year. We congratulate them for their achievements and continued work in promoting the industry.”
In total, 220 guests attended the 2020 Harness Horse of the Year Awards at Crown Perth on Wednesday, 17 March.
Award winners:
- WA Harness Horse of the Year: Chicago Bull NZ
- 2YO Filly of the Year: Black Jack Baby
- 3YO Colt or Gelding of the Year: Patronus Star NZ
- 3YO Filly of the Year: Double Expresso
- 2YO Colt or Gelding of the Year: Mighty Ronaldo
- Aged Mare of the Year: Balcatherine NZ
- State Leading Driver of the Year: Chris Voak
- Young Achiever Award: Emily Suvaljko
- State Leading Trainer of the Year: Greg and Skye Bond
- Trotter of the Year: Princess Mila
- Service to Industry Award: Peter Trefort
- Harness Media Award: Steve Butler
- Australian Harness Horse of the Year, Australian Pacer of the Year, Aged Pacing Horse/ Gelding of the Year, Australian Pacing Gold Circuit Champion: King of Swing NZ