Month: July 2020

‘Ace’ in the pack

Editor BOAY

In terms of courage, it’s said: “Fate loves the fearless.” And in that respect, Weblec Ace epitomises such fortitude and gallantry! Early in December last year, while contesting a Ballarat Cup heat, Weblec Ace injured a right hind back muscle and was sent back to his South Australian part-owner Neville Loechel, 68, for rehabilitation. Unfortunately, not long after, he ran into a shrub which snapped off and speared into his shoulder causing a deep laceration which severed a vein. Loechel said “he was bleeding profusely, and the wound required veterinary…

Clark’s Classic tale you won’t believe

Editor BOAY

Matt Clark will never forget the build-up to his first Group 1 event with Vic Peters Classic finalists, superstar Catch The Thief and litter brother Playlist. From COVID-19 testing, dodging border closures and sleeping on a stretcher alongside his two contenders – and that doesn’t include the on-track drama that saw pre-series favourite Catch The Thief sneak into the final – it’s been a week to remember for Clark. “You could write a book about it but I’ve had a ball,” Clark laughed. “The (GRNSW) stewards called me last Thursday…

Pelosi headlines Albion Park

NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton Brilliant Queensland filly Pelosi is making up for lost time. Last year’s Australian 2YO Filly of the Year has been denied the chance to win a big race this season so far by an injury setback and COVID. But trainer Anna Woodmansey is not one to reflect. “I think things are meant to be,” she said. “After about 40 years training horses, I’ve now got the best one I’ll ever have and, in hindsight, the time out has allowed her to mature a lot.” Pelosi won six…

Sinnamon’s Addington breakthrough

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner At 82-years-old, Omakau horseman Lionel Sinnamon’s training career just keeps getting better. Sinnamon enjoyed one of the biggest trills of his more than 60-year career when completing a long held ambition to win a race at Addington with Allandale on Sunday. The 5yr-old, owned by Sinnamon’s son, Graham, and his wife Dianne, is just the second horse the trainer has send to unofficial home of New Zealand harness racing during his journey of producing winners in 1959. “It something you aspire to – to be able to…

Ferguson on the hunt for premiership

NZHarnessNews

By Josh Smith – Harness News Desk Dylan Ferguson is in his last season as a junior driver and he is hoping to finish it off with a bang. With 27 wins for the season-to-date Ferguson is 18 wins clear of his nearest rival in the North Island, however, he is trailing John Morrison (30 wins), Sheree Tomlinson (29 wins), and Ben Hope (28 wins) in the New Zealand Junior Driver Premiership. While Ferguson admits he is facing an uphill struggle to try and claim the premiership he said he…

An online survey about equine rehabilitation services

NZHarnessNews

Julia Whitehead is currently doing her Master of Science degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy with the University of Liverpool (UK) and Massey University in New Zealand. Her interest is equine rehabilitation and therapy in New Zealand, with a focus on equine industry participants’ experiences and perceptions of the effectiveness and value of physical and rehabilitative therapies for New Zealand horses and ponies. The information we gather will be published to educate people in the New Zealand horse industry about what physical and rehabilitative therapies are used, who is providing them, and…

Chatting with the Chief – 7th July

NZHarnessNews

Harness New Zealand Acting Chief Executive Phil Holden is confident he can still have a good working relationship with Forbury Park, despite a very public difference of opinion. HRNZ submitted to the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA)  that Forbury Park have no dates for the 2020-21 season. It based its argument on Otago’s small horse population, betting turnovers and a desire to reduce costs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. But RITA disagreed, giving the club 10 meetings, nine at Forbury and one at Wingatui. Initially Manawatu was also omitted…

Alta Orlando returns at Menangle

NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton JUST days after the flying Cash N Flow made it a staggering eight successive Menangle wins, his stable is about to unleash one they say is better. Former Kiwi pacer Alta Orlando made quite a splash last campaign, culminating with a luckless third in the Miracle Mile, and returns from a break in the mile free-for-all at Menangle on Saturday night. Driver Luke McCarthy doesn’t hide the fact he rates Alta Orlando above Cash N Flow despite the stunning autumn/winter form of the latter. “Cashy is a…