Harness racing: Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin stable will have its first runner in New Zealand

Harness trainer Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin will have their first starter in New Zealand, providing an “exciting opportunity” for one of their owners.

Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin will send two-year-old Ripples to race in New Zealand this week. Picture: Loveridge Digital

Leviathan owner Mick Harvey has paved the way for champion Victorian trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin to try something new.

For all their stunning success over 15 years, Stewart and Tonkin have never raced a horse in New Zealand.

That will change when exciting two-year-old filly Ripples tackles a heat of the rich Young Guns series at Auckland’s Alexandra Park on Friday night.

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Ripples created a huge impression winning her heat and final of the Bathurst Gold Tiara series last month.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for me personally, but I’d love to think this is a great thing for the sport, too,” Harvey said.

“It’s amazing to think Emma and Clayton haven’t had a runner in NZ before and this is a pilot for things to come and shows them how easy it can be to do it.

“Especially racing in Auckland, which is only a three-hour flight.

“The Kiwis have been coming over and raiding our big races with huge success for decades and it’s great to see the tide turning a bit now with horses like Leap To Fame, Swayzee, Just Believe and Keayang Zahara going over and winning their big races.

“I’m keen to be part of it and to encourage Emma and Clayton to do it more often, too.”

Ripples is booked on a flight to Auckland on Wednesday and will challenge for favouritism from gate three.

“It’s an ideal draw and we’ve got the best driver over there, Blair Orange, taking the reins for us,” Harvey said.

“It’s the heat this week and the final a week later, so she’ll only be away from home for 10 or 11 days.”

Harvey had a huge opinion of Ripples, but concedes taking on the Kiwis will be another level.

“We all know how hard their top horses and trainers are to beat, but I think this is the right filly,” he said.

“Ripples isn’t eligible for a lot of big Aussie two-year-old races, but there’s three or four other big races for her in Auckland towards the end of the year.

“All going well, this trip will be a forerunner to going back then.”

Friday night’s race is a big one for the NSW-based Harvey, best known as a former part-owner of three-time Miracle Mile winner King Of Swing, who also bred one of Ripples’ main dangers, The Queens Gambit (gate one).

“I still own 25 per cent of her, too,” he said.

Harvey said Australia’s richest juvenile race, the $500,000 Protostar at Albion Park on July 19, could be another target for Ripples.

He is also focused on the Queensland Derby and Rising Sun with his brilliant recent purchase, former Victorian pacer Hesitate.

“It hasn’t quite gone to plan with him a few runs so far, but he’s had excuses and what’s most important is that Luke (McCarthy, trainer-driver) absolutely loves him,” he said.

“He’s having a bit of a freshen-up and then we’ll attack Queensland with him. We think he’s right up to all the big races.”

* Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp

Originally published as Harness racing: Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin stable will have its first runner in New Zealand