Month: July 2020

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Greg O’Connor as Racing Industry Manager. One of New Zealand racing’s most recognisable faces after a decade working as a presenter for Trackside Television, Greg will take up his new role on July 20. New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club chief executive Brian Thompson was greatly encouraged by the large number of high quality applicants received for the position. “We are very excited about Greg’s appointment; he has already made a huge contribution to harness racing in his…

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  Six years on, and Graham Court has confirmed he’s about to take over the top job at Harcourt Lodge, again. “I had no intention of not taking over. What else could I do? I’m not that old yet …” Now 70, Graham Court will become the stable’s official trainer when 40-year-old son Paul and his young family relocate to Canada next month. In 2016 Paul Court took over from his father, after the pair had trained nearly 100 winners together (2009-2015). That included…

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk    A glazier by trade, a forklift driver by profession, and a harness racing trainer by choice Mark Heaton’s about as grassroots as it gets. “I’m an amateur trainer and train other people’s cast offs.” His working day starts at 5 am and it’s usually more than 12 hours later before he gets home. The 61-year-old trains just two horses at Waterlea raceway in Blenheim after finishing his forklift shift at Pak’nSave. While his wife Naomi was involved in equestrian and especially dressage…

 By Adam Hamilton  Miracle Mile winner King Of Swing will resume at Menangle on August 1. Driver and stable spokesman Luke McCarthy said the much-travelled star had thrived during his break.  “What he did last campaign, which was really rushed at times when you look back on it, was amazing,” he said. “He’s had a good break, although he didn’t have that much time out as such, we kept some fitness with the water walker, etc.  “He could’ve raced a couple weeks back if we’d wanted, but there’s no rush…

By Dave Di Somma – Harness News Desk  Yet another member of the Foreal family is linking up with Sydney-based Kiwi trainer Tim Butt. Trained and driven by Kirk Larsen, Forsure made it three wins from 11 starts at Ascot Park last Thursday and now the three year old gelding is heading to Butt’s barn at Menangle. There he’ll join his full brother My Field Marshal, who Butt has trained to 29 wins and $1.5 in earnings. Among his best wins were the 2016 Taylor Mile and the Messenger and…

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Promising juvenile trotter Time Up The Hill is the third generation of her family Michael Ward has trained and he thinks she could be the best. While Ward holds the daughter of Muscle Hill in high regard, it will take a lot of beating to surpass her dam Majestic Time’s efforts on the track. She won two Group Three races for Ward, including the Hambletonian Classic (1609m) and NZ Trotting Oaks (1950m), while she was also Group One placed in the 2YO Ruby (1609m) and…

After entering the digital auction-sphere for Standardbreds just under a year ago, gavelhouse.com is upping the ante by increasing the frequency of their popular mixed stock auctions to fortnightly. gavelhouse.com’s General Manager Haylie Martin believes the change will benefit all. “The fortnightly auctions have been incredibly successful on our thoroughbred site and at a time in the industry where every dollar counts more than ever, this gives owners the opportunity to trade out of horses faster,” Martin said. “This will also spread the workload for transporters and staff more evenly…