Vance Hanover leading sire again

Press, 26 July 1989, Page 36

Vance Hanover leading sire again

By

JEFF SCOTT

Just as he made a onehorse race of the standardbred sires’ premiership again this season, Vance Hanover also finished clear of his rivals as the leading sire of Group race winners for the term.

Rather suprisingly however, Vance Hanover failed to leave a Group One winner this season. His stock have won a mammoth 192 races for the season with one meet-

ing left outstanding, and record earnings in excess of $1.4 million, but all the rich plums eluded his stars.

There are 20 Group One races listed on the New Zealand harness racing calendar, including the two Inter-Dominion Finals, run in Australia this year.

Vance Hanover took over the role of leading Group race sire from Noodlum last year, also with eight Group race

winners, including three Group One victors. Two years ago the albatross stallion was well down the list with only three Group race winners, while Noodlum enjoyed a rampant run with nine successes.

This was when Noodlum had Master Mood and Race Ruler winning Group races at will. He was also the leader three years ago with nine Group winners too. Those sires represented

by three or more Group race winners in recent seasons are: This season: Vance Hanover (eight); Honkin Andy, Game Pride, Lordship, and Noodlum (five), Mercedes and Clever Innocence (four); and

Alberton, Land Grant, Sir Dalrae, and Smooth Fella (three). Last season: Vance Hanover (eight); Plat Qu Jour (six); Shicker and Smooth Fella (five); Mercedes and Game Pride (four);

and Double Century, Soky’s Atom and Lordship (three). In 1986-87: Noodlum (nine); Smooth Fella (six). Lordship, Game Pride and Mercedes (five); Tuft (four); and Nordel Skipper, and Vance Hanover (three). In 1985-86: Noodlum (nine); Game Pride (five); Majestic Chance (four); and Alba Byrd, Plat Du Jour, Smooth Fella, Mercedes and Tuft (three).