Macca link in US

CASUAL OBSERVERS of North American harness racing might be puzzled to see a horse by the name of Jd’s Macca Lodge going around in Indiana.

Closer inspection of the breeding of the three-year-old colt points towards the origins of the name. He’s by Panspacificflight.

The stallion’s owner, Jacob Miller, has taken to naming some of his horses after the New Zealand stud that holds the Australasian rights to Panspacificflight’s frozen semen, as well as principals Brent and Sheree McIntyre. So not only is there Jd’s Macca Lodge, but also Brentandsheree and Shereeandbrent — all by Panspacificflight, of course

Jd’s Macca Lodge was a hot favourite in a maiden race at Hoosier Park on 12 May, but was nosed out by another Panspacificflight three-year-old, Pistopackinpiper, in 1:54.2.

Panspacificflight continues to leave a host of winners — both sexes, all ages — in the United States, complementing what he’s doing both here and in Australia.

In the same week, for example, he sired these other winners:

Last Flight In, a four-year-old mare, in a $US12,000 race in 1:55 at Scioto Downs in Ohio on 05 May.

Firstclassflight, a seven-year-old mare, in a $US13,000 race in 1:55.2 at Yonkers Raceway in New York on 07 May.

Makeoutlikeapandit, a four-year-old entire, in a $US14,000 race in 1:54.3 at Yonkers on 12 May.

The McIntyres enjoy a close relationship with Jacob and Doris Miller and were in the US in May for daughter Eva Miller’s wedding. They also caught up with Net Ten EOM’s owners and inspected his first progeny.

FOOTNOTE: Jd’s Macca Lodge posted his first win at Hoosier Park on 28 July in the fast time of 1:52. The three-year-old gelding is out of an Artsplace mare, Southwind Diana.

Did you know Panspacificflight is a half-brother in blood to Art Major? Click here to read about Panspacificflight’s remarkable Artsplace relatives

Anzac weekend success

SIX STARTERS for two wins, a second and three thirds.

That was the record for progeny of Panspacificflight racing in both Australia and New Zealand over Anzac weekend — Little Rascal, first, and Arden’s Choice, third in a Group 1, on premier night at Alexandra Park on Friday, 24 April; Glenisla third at Newcastle in New South Wales on the Saturday; The Manipulator second at Rangiora and Last Flight In third in Tasmania on the Sunday (both badly checked); and, to round off Anzac weekend, Southern Pursuit first, on debut, at Gore on the Monday.

Southern Pursuit was one of the more impressive maiden winners of the season in Southland. The three-year-old gelding was six lengths off the pace when he started his run at the 800-metre mark and was caught three-wide without cover from that point. The final half was cut out in 57.6 off the front.

Take a look at his run here: Southern Pursuit wins on debut