South Island racing is still relatively healthy, despite a much-needed increase in stakes being required along with the rest of the country.

"Overall, the southern racing scene has a great deal to offer, including stakes which are comparable to the Central Districts, lower training costs, lower feed and agistment costs, plus access to tracks which rarely get particularly heavy, even in the middle of winter."

The Southland clubs have made a tremendous effort to maintain stake levels by working closely together and rationalising venues and facilities. The West Coast administrators are developing a plan of action to overcome many of the problems facing racing today, and they continue to attract strong support from Canterbury and lower North Island trainers in particular.

Riccarton, the major metropolitan track in the South Island, needs to set the standard in terms of general stakes levels, and continue to improve the utilisation of what is a wonderful facility. They have the opportunity to rival many of the northern racing clubs in the future.

On a positive note, it is heartening to reveal that, in terms of breeding, the South Island has never before had such an array of promising new stallions. They include:

• Le Palliard (half-brother to champion horse Montjeu)
• Flying Pegasus (half-brother to Last Tycoon and already producing trial winners and placegetters)
• Felix the Cat (the only son of Storm Cat in New Zealand, whose progeny have sold very well to date)
• Fort Morgan (half-brother to champion horse Dubai Millennium)
• I Conquer and The Gladiator (both by Zabeel out of classic families)
• Personal Escort (sire of Perceptible, Kakaho, and Burton)
• Yaminan Vital (Sir Tristram-She Might Hula) ... already the sire of a winner in the North Island and a smart racehorse himself
• Zaim (Green Desert-Al Bahathri) Bred in the purple by a champion sire out of a Group One winner of the Irish One Thousand Guineas
• Chaga II (Bluebird-Clystalla) half brother to multiple Group One winner November Rain and closely related to top two-year-old San Luis (GRI)
• Seasoned Star ... a very well bred son of Green Dancer from a mare by Irish River

Meanwhile, we will see a general improvement in the quality of our racehorses once these stallions assert themselves. There will be an increased level of interest from the northern and overseas buyers for their progeny, which is something we have not seen since the halcyon days of Noble Bijou.

Overall, the southern racing scene has a great deal to offer, including stakes which are comparable to the Central Districts, lower training costs, lower feed and agistment costs, plus access to tracks which rarely get particularly heavy, even in the middle of winter.

Horses of the calibre of Fritz (Railway Handicap), Perciptible (three-year-old Southern Filly of the Year), Burton (promising sprinter), Gunstone (one of the best hacks in the country), and Zaza (Canterbury Breeders Stakes) have all been developed in the South Island last season, which augurs well for the future of racing in the region.

It is also good to see dynamic young trainers at the forefront of the industry. Paul Harris -- currently joint leader of the national Newcomer of the Year award -- is one who has taken the initiative to better inform owners about their horses via the Internet, and with events such as the"Breakfast with Your Star", held on June 23 at Rangiora Racecourse. This is an event where owners watch their horses exercise while enjoying a hot breakfast. Not a bad way to spend a morning!

Paul's online owner login is possibly the first time the Internet has been used by a trainer in this way. After each morning's fast work Paul inputs each horse's times and information, including who they galloped with, who rode them, and, most importantly, how the horse performed. The information is confidential to trainer and owner.

Roddy Fulton is a Canterbury based Bloodstock Agent who specialises in the sale and purchase of stallions, broodmares and racehorses in New Zealand and overseas. He can be contacted on (025) 201-8260.