Lisa Olsson and Gayleen MacKinnon, on behalf of the North Island Harness Owners Association, caught up with Augusts’ O.O.T.M Bernie Lim at Alex Park on the 14th September just after Jansson (the horse responsible for winning him the honour of O.O.T.M & just one of his many pride and joy’s to hit the track over the years) had raced for another very credible placing (4th) herr @ The Park. The NIHOA congratulated him on the win of the August O.O.T.M award following Jansson’s win on the 10th August and presented him with his prize – a table for four to use @ The Park in either the Tasman Room / Top of the Park. Here’s what the longtime harness racing supporter, enthusiast & breeder had to say on the win…
Bernie had been notified earlier in the week by Jay Abernethy (committee member) of the win and while it was more than a pleasant surprise, he told us he had actually forgotten about signing up.
The NIHOA wanted to find out about the journey so far with Jansson – as we all know, it is more often than not, not as straight forward as one may envisage…
How long have you had Jansson?
Since a foal – I bred him myself.
How come you went to Monarchy? Are you still breeding from his dam Sunlamp?
At the time Monarchy crossed really well with Sunlamp & YES, she is due to foal by Creatine.
He went to Richard Brosnan to get broken in?
No Derek Balle broke him in, then he went to Richards.
Michelle (Wallis) mentioned he spelled for a long period of time, how come?
He didn’t behave himself at Richards at all and I was told to get rid of him. He wasn’t a very nice horse.
So when you say he wasn’t a very nice horse, was it temperament wise or technique wise or…?
The usual story – temperament wise!
How come you kept him anyway? Why didn’t you give him a way for a hack?
Because he is a half to Torbjorn and we all know how well he has performed @ The Park over many seasons. I just spelled him at home for about 12 months.
How come he went to Michelle?
I tried to load him to take back to Richards to sort out….I couldn’t do it by myself. So I thought I would ask Michelle to pick him up – she is very good with horses.
And then she just got to keep him?
Yes
How many wins has he had since she got him?
Two
What about the name Jansson?
I got the name from when I did some travel in Europe when Special Force was over there. I believe Torbjorn Jansson is a pretty good driver over in Sweden.
What is so special about trotters for you?
They have just gone better for me. I have had pacers as well but they haven’t gone as good.
Finally, what did you think of the win on the 10th of August?
Yeah, he was very good. He is out for a four week spell now and then will go back to Michelle’s.
