By Jonny Turner How keen Waikouaiti mare Kiwi Crusher is to race in the feature trot at Wingatui today could decide her winning chances. The Amber Hoffman trained squaregaiter comes in to the 2200m event after going a big race after pulling hard in her last start at Forbury Park. Kiwi Crusher brushed the inside of her sulky wheels with her hooves when fighting on for third behind Valley Star and Da Moon’s Mission. Hoffman has gone to extra lengths ahead of today’s race to make sure the same doesn’t…
Month: May 2020
Kimberly Butt : “It just wasn’t feasible”
By Dave Di Somma – Harness News Desk Wedding plans for a well-known racing couple have been put on hold, and Covid-19 is the reason why. Canterbury-based driver-trainers Kimberly Butt and Jonny Cox had put a circle around April 17, at Darfield’s Bangor Farm. Now that’s off and been rescheduled, with fingers crossed, to October 9. The decision, Kimberly Butt says was ultimately straight-forward “It just puts a lot of people at ease, it just wasn’t feasible.” The problem is two-fold. 140 people were on the invite list and large…
COVID-19 Information Page
Useful updates and information can be found here to help you through the COVID-19 Pandemic. COVID-19 UpdateA communication explaining the new MPI guidelines regarding the care of horses as an essential activity. HRNZ Order and Direction – COVID-19 PandemicThe most up-to-date HRNZ Order and Direction regarding the husbandry of Standardbreds. MPI Questions and Answers TemplateMinistry for Primary Industries Register for safe practice. COVID-19 Financial SupportFind out what financial support is available from the government.
Orange so close but so far
By Dave Di Somma – Harness News Desk Champion reinsman Blair Orange is now a tantalising one win away from 2000 winners, but like everyone else he will now have to wait and see if, and when, the milestone will be his. The escalation of the COVID-19 alert to level 4 means all racing is off for at least four weeks. It’s an uncertain time for all. At the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s 6 race grass track programme at Wingatui he kept the best for last as he piloted…
Industry Response to COVID-19
The announcement from the government today that New Zealand would move to Level 4 of the COVID-19 Alert System in 48 hours means that all racing will cease for the next four weeks from Tuesday 24 March. Harness Racing New Zealand, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, Greyhound Racing New Zealand and the TAB, have met to discuss what steps the industry needs to take to protect the livelihoods of its participants. While the country will effectively be in lockdown, the welfare of our animals remains as an essential service during this…
Photogenic Peanut’s Life After Racing.
By Dave Di Somma – Harness News Desk At just 14 hands high it was no surprise when the racemare formerly known as Trina Jaacka got the nickname Peanut. Now she lives in Balfour in Southland, with owner Jane Orr describing her as like “a little Labrador who follows you around the paddock.” “She’s a kind little soul”. After her deeds on the track which included one win for Southland trainer Murray Brown the now 13 year old is enjoying life after racing . “She was bred by Charlie and…
2020 Harness Jewels – What Alert Level 4 Means for the 2019-20 Harness Season
24 March 2020 MEDIA RELEASE 2020 Harness Jewels – What Alert Level 4 Means for the 2019-20 Harness Season The announcement from the government yesterday that New Zealand is moving to Alert Level 4 has seen racing across all codes cease until at least April 23rd. This will result in a significant restructuring of the balance of the current season. At present, we have no more insight into when racing might resume than the public does, however we need to be prepared to race again as soon as a…
Lochie Marshall – Obituary
Lochie Marshall – A club man through and through Harness racing stalwart Lochie Marshall is being remembered as a tireless worker for the industry. Born “Lachlan MacArthur Marshall” he died in his home town of Geraldine this week after a battle with Leukaemia. He had a long association with the sport, as a race-caller, trainer, and administrator. He was a past president and life member of the Geraldine Trotting Club, which is currently celebrating its 150th year. “He was part of the club’s fabric,” says current Geraldine president Mark Weaver,…
Update with HRNZ CEO – Peter Jensen
Dave Di Somma speaks to HRNZ CEO Peter Jensen about the current situation in the racing industry.
The right place at the right time
By Michael Guerin Dr Susan has become that filly with the habit of being in the right place at the right time. Today that right place is NOT in New Zealand. The Cran Dalgety-Nathan Purdon trained filly is a red hot favourite to give Kiwi harness fans something to smile about in the A$100,000 Gold Bracelet Final at Bathurst tonight (9.50pm NZ time). Which is pretty much how 2020 has gone for her: right place, right time. She left New Zealand soon after her Sires’ Stakes third to Amazing…