By Matt Markham (Trackside NZ)

There’s no better form of marketing than success, and Andrew Fitzgerald is hoping Sunday’s Motukarara meeting can provide the perfect avenue in which to promote his syndicates.

One of New Zealand’s largest harness racing syndicators, Fitzgerald’s Off N Racing brand currently has shares in more than 20 horses across both equine codes and with more than 350 owners on the books, there’s a lot to take care of.

β€œThere’s a bit to it, but it’s great seeing so many people getting involved in the game and enjoying having horses at the races,” Fitzgerald said.

Sunday’s grass track meeting will see the syndicate colours out in force in two races with in-form pacers Oneloveonelife and Almighty Clever looking to grab well-deserved victories.

Both are trained by Matt Purvis at Woodend Beach, a stable where Fitzgerald is often hands-on helping out through the week and he’s been impressed with the way the pair have improved since arriving in the barn.

β€œMatt has done a great job with them, he does a lot of work with both in the pool. They rarely see the hopples in between race runs and they’ve really adjusted to his style of training and he’s adjusted to them as well, which is great.”

Almighty Clever was purchased late last year and has made an immediate impact with two good placings and a strong fourth in three starts.

β€œHe hasn’t had a whole lot of luck in any of those runs, but he’s been very good all the same. This week’s race looks like it will suit him nicely and he can hopefully get a win on the board.”

Oneloveonelife was desperately unlucky at Methven last Sunday when carted back by a tiring runner on the home bend, but his previous form suggested he wouldn’t be too far away this week either.

β€œHe’s been going super and is racing much better than what his R35 rating suggests. Korbyn Newman is going to drive him this week and we’re hopeful of a really strong run.”

Newman is set to leave New Zealand this month to take up an opportunity working in Queensland.

With the NZ Bloodstock Standardbred Sales kicking off this Saturday at Karaka and continuing into next week in Christchurch, Fitzgerald has been busy poring through the catalogue and inspecting yearlings as he looks to get involved in a number of them.β€œ

Last year we managed to get shares in a couple of gallopers and three or four standardbreds, and I’m hoping that we can get those numbers up a bit this year again.

β€œThere’s a lot of existing clients wanting to go again and get into new horses, which is encouraging.”

Fitzgerald offers multiple options for owners from micro shares right through to larger portions.

β€œThere’s something there for everyone, heading into the sales there’s 100 people who have committed to get involved in some micro shares and another 50 people who are down for something a bit bigger, so that gives me a bit of confidence because I haven’t tapped into the wider market yet.”

The Off N Racing brand is well spread out, with shares in horses with multiple trainers across Canterbury and the North Island, including the leading stables of Robert and Jenna Dunn, Hayden and Amanda Cullen, as well as up-and-coming trainers like Purvis, Jo and Dylan Ferguson, Tom Bamford, Tom Bagrie and Jonny Cox and Kimberly Butt.

On the thoroughbred side of the operation, horses with Off N Racing interests are currently in Wexford Stables, Roger and Robert Wellwood and Chrissy Bambry.

Check out the shares available via: https://www.offnracing.co.nz/browse/