Mor Moonlight Shines in Harness 5000

Southland raider Mor Moonlight (NZ) (One Over Da Moon) made her trip north to Ashburton count on Sunday when taking out the Listed Mainland Repairs Mobile Trot (1700m). 

The three-year-old filly initially settled at the rear of the field for trainer-driver Kirstin Green before taking off three-wide down the back straight. She was working her way towards the lead before Penelope Lane (NZ) (Volstead) punched up on the inside of her to take that position and force her to sit parked.

The pair continued their duel upfront, while there was a skirmish further back which ruled out the majority of the field. Down the home straight, Mor Moonlight was able to get the better of Penelope Lane and she went on to score by 1-½ lengths over Atlantic City (NZ) (Volstead).

“It wasn’t how I planned to drive her but it’s just the way it goes sometimes,” Green said.

“Brad (Williamson, driving Penelope Lane) kept going with us so we just had to keep going forward. I had faith in the horse and she gave it all for us today.”

By One Over Da Moon, Mor Moonlight is out of Leithe Ellen, a half-sister to Group One performer The Fiery Ginga, Group Two performer Latheronwheel and Group Three performer Lady Angus.

While the winner of just one race herself, Leithe Ellen has proven to be a solid producer, being the dam of several winners, including One Yankee Hall, the dam of Group One performer Hephaestus Phoenix.

Mor Moonlight was offered through L. A. Carter’s 2023 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale draft at Christchurch where she was purchased by Tom Kilkelly for $10,000.

She was entrusted to the care of Green and has won two and placed in one of her seven starts to date, and has earned nearly $45,000 in prizemoney.