By Shane Forward

The 2011 Newfoundland harness racing season was one filled with new and exciting events along with the traditional ones from years past. Each and every one was put together by the Newfoundland Harness Horse Owner’s Association (NHHOA) and the Ladies Auxiliary.
June 23rd was the day for the sixth consecutive NHHOA Youth Camp. With the weather being very cooperative, there was a large turnout. The event offered rides on horseback, a chance to jog a horse with one of the seven drivers dressed in their racing colours, face painting, and a BBQ supplied by the SJREC for all involved.
The cast and crew of the CBC sitcom “Republic Of Doyle” were at St. John’s oval for two weeks in July, filming for an episode that will air this winter. Six drivers volunteered their time and horses to accommodate the crew in taping a scene with St. John’s harness racing action. As neither the director nor anyone in the crew had a horse background, it made for an interesting morning, to say the least. Everyone had a good time. It is certainly great publicity for harness racing and the SJREC.
The stakes program in Newfoundland is improving yearly. The Newfoundland Standardbred Breeders Association (NLSBA) has been providing a number of stake events. Much thanks to Tony and Terry Williams for the hard work they put into the NLSBA year after year. The first stake race of the season was for the Standardbred Canada/ NLSBA two- and three-old fillies. The three-year-old Justice Denied filly, Camco Patricia, picked up the $3,000 win for owner Gerard Newell with trainer/driver Rod Forward aboard. Camco Patricia also won the NLSBA two- and three-old fillies Farmers Co-Op Stake, held on October 10. The Atlantic Sire Stakes were held on September 18. The son of S S Sand Dollar, Coral Sea, crushed the field of three year olds to stop the timer in 2:04 for driver Walt Deering, Jr.
September 25 marked the highest purse payout in NL harness racing history – all thanks to the continuing support of Meridian Farms, who make NL Harness Racing better each year. Three-year-old Coral Sea also picked up the $2,000 Meridian Farms Pace, which was just one of the six stake events on that card that had at least a $1,500 purse.
The night of October 22 marked the first night of racing on The Rock since the mid-1990s. Scott Forward set up the lighting around the track the previous night. It created a buzz and lit up the community of Goulds. For some horseman and fans, this was the first time watching the races under the lights. Battlefield Rentals donated the lights and, according to my father, they’ve agreed to donate them again next year.
2011 brought many new horses to the St. John’s oval. Hero In America, Joes Rainbow, Mercedes Seelster and U S Charmeleon were a few of the more competitive newcomers. Abs Yankees Rail was also a new horse to The Rock this season and the only trotter to compete over the track in a few years. The five-year-old gelding, owned by Denise Walsh, set the SJREC trotting record in 2:05.3 on July 10, with Gary Mcdonald driving for trainer Kevin Mcdonald.
This season also brought a new owner to the track – Carl Stafford. Stafford was introduced to harness racing by his cousin Shelby Miller and niece and rookie driver, Katie Miller. Stafford brought PH Supermodel to St. John’s. A month later he also brought NF Limelight and Major Venue to compete at our track. Stafford is a native of Goulds.
Every season on The Rock, we finish off with a race card strictly for amateur drivers and old timers, traditionally called Matinee Day. It was held on November 5 and had six competitive fields set for the day. Twenty-year-old Oral Jestican showed he was waiting all season for this day. He picked up five winners and was nosed out for the sixth. Jestican won with Res Bucky, KNGs Hurricane, Treasure Me Flurry, Jokers Jackpot and Major Venue. The other winning driver of the day was Jim Byrne aboard Lifes A Picnic.
Season’s greetings to all Atlantic horsemen and women, and all the best in 2012!