Month: April 2025

Mark Chittick the latest of the “cross coders”

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin One of New Zealand’s most famous sets of racing colours could be coming to a harness racing track near you next season. But first Waikato Stud owner Mark Chittick will have to get a bigger set made. (Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell)  Chittick, the man who owns the giant thoroughbred breeding operation, has bought his first harness horse, outlaying $50,000 for a Tactical Landing filly out of Queen Bea, an unraced sister to Queen Elida. And he wants it wearing his famous colours, the same ones his…

Chase A Dream is Aussie-bound

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Chase A Dream is not only back but Queensland-bound. The big improver of the last month, winning the Flying Mile at Cambridge before chasing Leap To Fame home in the Race By Betcha, has accepted an invitation to the Rising Sun at Albion Park in July 5. Co-trainer Mark Purdon hopes that four-year-old can win the A$300,000 Rising Sun to springboard himself into the A$1million Inter Dominion Final two weeks later without needing to contest any of the Inter Dom heats. If Chase A Dream, or any…

Lifestyle change prompts property sale

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk   A eight hectare property in harness racing heartland is currently on the market. Located in Canterbury, between Rolleston and West Melton, the property featuring an oval training track will go to auction in early May. For “coming up four years” it’s been home for dual code trainer Jackie Burrows and her family.   “It’s a niche property .. but it has so much potential,” she says. The property, on Newtons Road, includes a four bedroom house, two cottages, bar room with guest…

Plan B in case Motukarara meeting is rained off

NZHarnessNews

A back-up plan has been agreed to if bad weather means Monday’s meeting on the grass at Motukarara cannot be held. If the track is deemed unsuitable then the meeting will move to Addington. The forecast for Easter in Canterbury is for showers on Thursday and intermittent rain continuing through to Sunday. “Our intention is to race at Motukarara and we are committed to that but we have come up with a contingency plan to ensure the meeting goes ahead even if the Mot is deemed unsuitable,” says Harness Racing…

Little Avondale announce Per Incanto fee

NZRacingDesk

On the back of another season of elite level performers and excellent sale ring results, LA have lifted the service fee for Per Incanto this season to $60,000 plus GST. The son of Street Cry will serve a limited book of 85 mares. Australian Gr.1 victories in 2025 by Jimmysstar and Gringotts, together with the emergence of the exciting Gr.2 winning 3YO Evaporate as a genuine elite level performer, along with a string of Gr. 2 winners Marble Arch, Belclare and Marotiri Molly now has the stallion deservedly recognised amongst…

Mr Brightside lands in Hong Kong

NZRacingDesk

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has conquered all before him over a mile in Australia and the star Kiwi-bred galloper has touched down in Hong Kong this week in pursuit of next Sunday’s Gr.1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m). A winner of 19 races, including nine at Group One level, Mr Brightside has been his ultra-consistent self throughout the current racing season, with victories in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), Gr.1 Champion’s Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m). When he wasn’t winning, the gelding was often runner-up, finishing second in…

Belclare to make Australian return

NZRacingDesk

Dual Group One winner Belclare’s (NZ) (Per Incanto) return home for a three-race campaign didn’t go to plan earlier this year, and now she is back on the other side of the Tasman to try and get her preparation back on track.  She was reunited with former trainer Lisa Latta to attempt to defend her crowns in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie, with a tilt at the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) also in the mix, but the fairytale ending…

Crocetti touches down in Perth ahead of The Quokka

NZRacingDesk

Kiwi Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) has landed in Perth ahead of next week’s A$5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot Racecourse.  Owner-breeder Daniel Nakhle accepted the Trackside NZ and Perth Racing’s offer to fill their slot in the rich feature, and co-trainer Danny Walker, who flew to Western Australia with his stable star, is looking forward to testing his gelding’s talent across the Tasman.  “It’s an honour and a privilege to get it (slot) and we were pretty keen to give it a go,” said Walker, who trains…

Happy Valley free racing tips & quaddie | Wednesday 16/4/25

AAP

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, April 16, 2025 First Race 6:40pm HKT (8:40pm AEST) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Happy Valley on Wednesday evening, with a competitive nine-part program set for decision. The rail moves to the B course, and with nothing but sunny skies forecast in the lead-up, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 6:40pm HKT. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Loving…

Warwick Farm Wednesday races preview & top tips | April 16, 2025

AAP

What Warwick Farm Races Where Warwick Farm Racecourse – 2 Hume Hwy, Warwick Farm NSW 2170 When Wednesday, April 16, 2025 First Race 12:50pm AEST Visit Dabble Metro racing returns to Warwick Farm on Wednesday afternoon, with a competitive eight-part program set for decision. The rail moves out +3m for the entire circuit, and with no significant rainfall forecast leading into race-day, punters can expect a Good 4 surface. The opening race is scheduled to commence at 12:50pm AEST. Best Bet at Warwick Farm: Soul Of Spain Soul Of Spain…