Month: May 2021

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk The Mitre 10 3YO Ruby (1609m) is turning into a mouth-watering contest. While the Craig Edmonds-trained Five Wise Men has dominated the three-year-old features and will head into next month’s race with the yellow jersey and favourite’s tag, Time Up The Hill is proving he won’t get it all his own way. The Michael Ward-bred, trained, and owned filly ran him to within a nose in the Gr.1 Northern Trotting Derby (2700m) at Alexandra Park last month before winning the Gr.3 Northern Trotting Oaks…

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk A $9,501 purchase is proving to be the best decision of young trainer Michael Purdon’s burgeoning career. When perusing a Gavelhouse auction catalogue last year, the West Melton horseman’s eye was caught by the breeding of Mystic Max, having been a fan of his sire, French stallion Village Mystic. Purdon duly secured the yearling out of the famed Robinson family, but when it came to selling down shares in the colt, Purdon had no takers. While it was deflating at the time, it has…

By Jonny Turner The queen had to earn her crown and Bettor Twist did it with style when taking out the Group One New Zealand Oaks at Addington on Friday night. Doing midrace work and sitting parked in the second-fastest ever running on the 2600m classic were of little worry to the champion Hayden Cullen trained filly as she powered to the line to again confirm her star status. The victory was aided by a pinpoint Natalie Rasmussen drive on a night she and Cullen dominated the Addington card with…

By Jonny Turner A week of wild Southland weather has done little to dampen Franco Huntington’s enthusiasm ahead of Saturday’s Ascot Park trots. The veteran will be out to notch career win number 11 in his 162nd career start in race 2 for trainer Doug McLachlan. Snow, hail and rain have hit the Invercargill region this week which has not helped trainers in the area prepare their horses for their assignments. McLachlan, based at nearby Myross Bush, has been among them. He’s had Franco Huntington tucked up in his barn…

Selections for today’s meeting at Invercargill Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race JUSTIN EVANSCommentator Race 111.43am 7 Andiamo1 Jasmine Jaccka6 Majestic Jag2 In The Groove Race 212.08pm 6 Sagwitch7 Franco Huntington1 Cast A Shadow3 Zaccy Mac Race 312.35pm 3 Sista Sammy1 Ah Mach2 Vita Veloce10 Rakareplay Race 41.00pm 2 Bettors Highlight5 Von Art3 Saint Tropez7 I’m Watching You Race 51.30pm 10 Miss Bamboocha3 Insist The Win2 Cabella Noir8 Zoned Scarlett Race 61.58pm 3 Changearound8 Celebrating2 Fireforefiddle5 Boarding Call Race 72.33pm 5 Tac Mac7 Port Au Prince4 Dream Of Glory8 American…