Creatine youngster claims Harness Million 2YO Trot

The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan trained Southern Diamond put in another professional performance to win the $75,000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO Trot at Addington on Friday night.

Coming off a tidy last start win in the Sires Stakes Prelude at Cambridge Raceway, Southern Diamond made light work of his second row draw, quickly landing the one-one behind stablemate Halberg.

Three-wide rounding the home turn, Southern Diamond sprinted home the best to nab a gallant Halberg, who had raced parked throughout, by a half head on the line.

The son of Creatine has now won two races and $47,420 in stakes.

Bred by Southland's Dave Kennedy, Southern Diamond was purchased by Purdon and Phelan for $37,500 at the 2021 Christchurch NZB Sale of Trotters.

He is out of the Earl mare Ugly Betty, a twice-winning half-sister to three Group 1 winners - Pocaro, Daenerys Targaryen and Sun Of Anarchy.

It was a Nevele R sired quinella in the race with the runner-up, Halberg, a son of Father Patrick.

Creatine is currently second on both the NZ 2YO and 3YO Trotting Sires Premierships, while in Australia he is the fourth leading sire of 3YO trotters with less than $8,000 in stakes winnings separating the second placed stallion Father Patrick and him.

Nevele R has frozen semen for Creatine available now in Australia at a fee of AU$3,300 including GST and we expect to have frozen semen available from late next week in New Zealand at a fee of NZ$3,000 plus GST.

Halberg’s sire, Father Patrick is currently the leading New Zealand sire of 2YO trotters and is second on both the Australian 2YO and 3YO Trotting Sires Premierships.

Frozen semen for Father Patrick is available now in both countries at a fee of AU$6,600 including GST and NZ$6,000 + GST respectively.