Success in deep south for well-known Hawke’s Bay breeder

Well-known Central Hawke’s Bay thoroughbred breeder Sue Harty tasted success at the Southland meeting at Invercargill last Thursday.

Former Awapuni-trained gelding Son Of Surf bolted in over 1400 metres (R65) for new trainer Sally McKay (Ascot Park), leading all the way under apprentice jockey Tanya Jonker, at nice odds.

Co-bred by Harty, Son Of Surf began his racing career from the stable of Mike Breslin, who won one race from 16 starts with the son of Any Suggestion.

His one and only win before last Thursday was at Waverley in October 2017 in the hands of Breslin’s apprentice Danielle Hirini.

Harty still has an ownership interest in Son Of Surf along with Hastings-based co-breeder Neville Robertson.

Two Southland syndicates are among the other owners.

Son Of Surf is out of Towkay mare Surf Patrol, who won seven from the Breslin stable, and who was very adept in wet ground.

Surf Patrol’s only other foal is unraced Niagara 3-year-old filly Flying Surf, who was in work with Breslin last year.

Meanwhile, another Harty-bred galloper Golden Bay (Perfectly Ready-Golden Butterfly), has been retired after spending his last few years trained in the South Island.

Raced by a syndicate comprising North and South Island owners, Golden Bay finished with five wins from 79 starts, chalking up an array of minor placings, including 11 seconds and 16 thirds for a total of nearly $87,000 in stakes.

He began his racing career with Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta and ended up in the Ashburton stable of Cheri Trembath.