Racing: Finalists found for awards

New Zealand Derby winner Xcellent is a finalist in three categories for this season's New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Awards.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) announced the finalists yesterday with Xcellent being included in the 3-year-old, weight-for-age and stayer categories.

There are few surprises, with the exception of Miss Potential missing from the weight-for-age category.

She was a group one winner at weight-for-age in Melbourne last spring, albeit against her own sex.

The award winners will be announced at a dinner in Christchurch on August 12.

The finalists are:

Sprinter-miler: Calveen, Keeninsky, Miss Potential, Sedecrem.

Two-year-old: Darci Brahma, Kindacross, Mi Jubilee, Wahid.

Three-year-old: Ambitious Owner, Justa Tad, Keeninsky, Xcellent.

Weight-for-age: Balmuse, Calveen, St Reims, Xcellent.

Stayer: Bazelle, St Reims, Xcellent, Zabeat.

Jumper: Comand Performance, Frankoo Verymuch, Gold Jet, No Hero.

Broodmare: Flying Floozie (dam of Starcraft), Dewamar (St Basil), Danelagh (Vengeance Of Rain).

Media: Tim Barton (The Dominion Post), Owen Poland (TVNZ), Luke Radich (Trackside TV), Aidan Rodley (Waikato Times).

Trainer: Michael Pitman, Graeme Rogerson and Stephen Autridge, Mark Walker.

Jockey: Michael Coleman, Lisa Cropp, Leith Innes, Hayden Tinsley.

Jumps jockey: Tom Hazlett, Isaac Lupton, Jonathan Riddell.

Breeder: Barlow Thoroughbred Ltd, Garry Chittick, Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan, Don and Rochelle McLaren.

Owner: Ray Coupland, Rudy Liefting, Te Akau Stud Breeding Syndicate.

- NZPA