The remaining finalists have now been decided for the NZB Standardbred Harness Racing New Zealand Awards which will be held at Addington Raceway on Saturday, February 8. Last week the “Top Horse Contenders” were released. Today it is the “Other Awards” featuring Breeder of the Year, Owner of the Year, Pacing and Trotting Stallion and Broodmare of the year as well as this year’s Newcomer to Training and Stablehand of the Year. To see the “Other Awards” contenders please click here To see the “Top Horse contenders” please click here…
Day: 13 January 2025
Momentum for Next Gen building in countdown to NZB Yearling Sales
With an additional $600,000 in bonuses annually for the next three years and funded by the TAB, the Harness Racing New Zealand’s Next Gen ownership initiative is gaining serious momentum, ahead of next month’s NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales in Auckland and Christchurch. Next Gen is all about getting more and new people into “Owning The Thrill” of racing pacers and trotters. “It’s important to emphasise that everyone is eligible to get involved, it is for newcomers to racing as well as those who have owned and raced horses for decades,”…
New Waikouaiti president wants “lift in energy”
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Jess Murphy wasn’t really expecting to be the new President of the Waikouaiti Trotting Club but now that she is, she is all in. “I’m really keen to get into it,” the 34-year-old says. She took over the job after being on the committee for the past “five or so” years. “I thought I’d be vice-president for a bit but when the president’s job came up my name was mentioned and it went from there.” As a Next Gen administrator she’s keen…
Flying Acquarello set for KM target
Fast-improving mare Acquarello produced the perfect dress rehearsal for her Karaka Millions Night assignment at Ellerslie on Sunday, putting away a compact field of class horses in the Auckland Co-Op Taxis (1400m). The daughter of Written Tycoon has scarcely put a foot wrong throughout her five-year-old term, finishing in the first three at every start including a victory in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and a second placing to subsequent Group One winner Provence in the Royal Descent Stakes (1400m). With a focus on the $500,000 Gr.2 Westbury Classic…
Bonningtons excited about Champions Day prospects
Plenty of people in the New Zealand racing fraternity are looking forward to the inaugural Champions Day at Ellerslie on March 8, but none more so than Rayner and Lynn Bonnington. The $1.25 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) will be one of eight stakes races on the action-packed card, and the West Auckland couple, who breed and race under their Little River Thoroughbreds Partnership banner, look to have a strong contender for the classic. Farm graduate Mustang Morgan has shortened into $12 in the TAB Futures Market for…
Brave colt flying Nearco flag for Millions
Unbeaten colt To Bravery Born powered into TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) contention with his comeback victory at Ellerslie on Sunday. The gifted son of Snitzel showed his precocity when successful on debut in the opening race of the two-year-old season at Wanganui back in August and was subsequently laid low by injury. Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson had doubts he would be back in Karaka Millions contention but quickly bounced back and Sunday’s victory now has him equal $4 second favourite for the January 25 feature. To Bravery…
Feroce set for Autumn Stakes return
Feroce. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Feroce is on track for Guineas redemption, with preparations ramping up this week as the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) runner-up prepares to return to the jump-outs. Trainer Dom Sutton is delighted with how the son of Super Seth has come back from his spring break following his second-place finish behind Private Life in the October Classic, which was followed by a placing in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 2. While there’s been significant interest in the New…
Royal Ascot on the radar for Coolmore winner Switzerland
Coolmore winning the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos) Coolmore are eagerly anticipating the future of Switzerland as plans take shape for the colt’s path towards Royal Ascot in June. The Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) winner is progressing well in his preparations for a campaign aimed at the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes (1200m) and is nearing his first trial. The Chris Waller-trained three-year-old is set to return to action in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 15.…
Bamford thinking big with stable star
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk North Canterbury trainer Tom Bamford is eyeing up more success at Blenheim this week after a training double at Nelson yesterday. Stable star Rakero Rocket and Light Me Up both won at Richmond Park to give the young trainer four wins from just seven starts so far in 2025. For Rakero Rocket it was his fourth win in his last six starts, highlighted by victory in the first ever Group 1 Christian Cullen at Addington in December. “He’s exceeded expectations,” says Bamford, “to…
Rubylot leads Classic Series charge with Sha Tin victory
Rubylot wins the Class 2 The Racing Club Cup Handicap (1400m). Photo: HKJC Rubylot has confirmed status as a leading contender for the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on January 31 after winning Sha Tin on Sunday (January 23) as Dragon Joy and Embraces also enhanced Four-Year-Old Classic Series credentials. One of several Four-Year-Old Classic Series aspirants to shine at Sha Tin, Rubylot (123lb) posted a defining victory in the afternoon’s feature, while fellow Classic Series contenders Johannes Brahms (120lb) and Packing Hermod (130lb), also impressed by finishing…