By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Pukekohe-based trainer Andre Poutama is hopeful he’s got a couple of decent prospects at Cambridge today. He’ll drive three of his own – Light O Love (R1), St John Eight (R4) and Desert Dawn (R7) – as well as Emily Bay for trainer Ival Brownlee (R6). “That’s a big team for me,” laughs Poutama, “and there are some good top three or each way chances there.” He opens his day with last start winner Light O Love in Race 1, the Off…
Month: April 2025
El Vencedor primed for Hong Kong challenge
It is full steam ahead for the connections of El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking), as the star galloper jets off to Hong Kong on Thursday in preparation for the Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 27. El Vencedor has been unstoppable in New Zealand’s middle-distance ranks over the summer, winning three consecutive elite-level crowns in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). The popular gelding’s stellar form did not go unnoticed on the global stage, rated…
Mature Mehzebeen adds to stakes collection
Time was always going to benefit Mehzebeen (NZ) (Almanzor) and the Almanzor mare continues to emphasise that in her five-year-old season. She was bred and sold by Pencarrow Stud and at Trentham furthered her black-type record with victory in the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson. Mehzebeen had also completed the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) and Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) double in the spring to realise the earlier staying potential she showed when runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). “She has…
Group One goals back on the horizon for Pier
Pier (NZ) (Proisir) may have fallen just short of winning Saturday’s Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m), but trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley couldn’t have been happier with their returning star ahead of a potential campaign in Queensland. As a three-year-old, Pier won a competitive Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and placed in a Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m). Since then, he has spent much of the last two seasons on the sidelines, including after winning impressively when resuming last June. A sharp trial…
Caulfield Group 1 races reshuffled for 2025 Spring Carnival
Another Prophet winning the 2024 Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield Racecourse. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Racing Victoria (RV) and the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) have confirmed a strategic reshuffle of three Group 1 races at Caulfield as part of broader programming changes to the 2025 Spring Racing Carnival and the 2026 Festival of Racing. The changes, which have received approval from the RV Board and endorsement from the Asian Pattern Committee, aim to bolster key racedays across Victoria and maintain momentum across the entire spring calendar. Following strong…
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Two double-headers in busy harness racing week
A harness racing week, complete will two double-headers, gets underway today with action at Cambridge and Addington. They will be followed by Winton and Auckland on Thursday. Today’s seven-race meeting at Cambridge starts at 4.24pm, with the first of Addington’s eight races at 4.14pm. Addington’s meeting features Heat 2 of the Canterbury Plains Challenge Series for the 5YO and older R35-39 Pacers at 7.37pm. The series, now in its second year, will have 10 heats in all before the $30,000 Final at Addington on May 16. To be eligible to…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 14 April 2025
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Zahra to reunite with Antino in All Aged
Whether it is considered an ambitious move or not to take on the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) so soon, Tony Gollan has just as higher aims for Antino (NZ) (Redwood) closer to home as the topline Queensland galloper returns to the races this Saturday. Antino trialled last week at Eagle Farm finishing behind Rothfire (Rothesay) with a heavier staff rider aboard, and since then Gollan has been happy for his versatile six-year-old to line up in the All Aged over the 1400-metre trip at Randwick before a campaign over longer trips in Brisbane. “He was getting a…
Darren Danis, the ultimate athlete
Sidelined jockey Darren Danis passed the first test in his journey to return to the saddle when he competed in the Ultimate Athlete Obstacle Race at Mount Maunganui Beach last Saturday. Danis sustained a fractured C4 and C5 vertebrae following an incident at the Waipa trials in November last year, and last weekend’s challenge was an important milestone in his recovery. The 32-year-old hoop had wanted to compete in the obstacle race and he was given the green light by his doctor to return to light physical activity just over…