Nina Hope breaks training record with win at Rangiora

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  With one milestone ticked off Nina Hope is now just one win away from another.  The Woodend-based trainer became the most successful female trainer ever in this country with Kowhai Summit’s upset win at Rangiora yesterday. That gave her 899 New Zealand wins, eclipsing the old mark set by Natalie Rasmussen, in partnership with Mark Purdon, between 2014 and 2021. Yesterday Kowhai Summit started well in the Mainstreet Sports Bar Rangiora Trot before settling into the one-one for driver Henry Sail. Turning for…

Qualifying trials midweek at Addington

Harness Racing New Zealand and Addington Raceway have confirmed that qualifying trials are going to be held before Addington’s Tuesday and Wednesday meetings.  There will be a maximum of four trials, one of each gait, and a mobile and a standing start. The trials will be for only unqualified horses seeking to qualify. The trials will be held on :  Wednesday, March 19Wednesday, April 9Tuesday, April 15 Wednesday, April 30 Wednesday, May 7Wednesday, May 14  Nominations should be sent to Cameron Kirkwood at HRNZ by the day prior to the trials. He…

Kingsclere substitution in NZB Kiwi after Dealt With withdrawn

Just days out from the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), Slot Holders Kerri Spence Bloodstock and Clotworthy Racing have been forced to find another contender following the withdrawal of Dealt With (NZ). The son of Ace High looked to be among the race’s leading contenders, having won his first two starts before placing in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood felt there was plenty of improvement left in the gelding, but he has been ruled…

Jenni passes jump out test

Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) is a step closer to returning to the racetrack after an impressive jump out win at Cranbourne on Monday morning. With Craig Newitt in the saddle, the seven-year-old and reigning Australian Horse of the Year bowled along in her customary front-running style over 1000-metres winning the heat by four lengths. It was her first official outing since the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) over the Melbourne Cup Carnival where she bled from both nostrils. “Her prep has been pretty smooth to date and we wanted…

Otago celebrating after stellar Classics Day

The inaugural Property Brokers Otago Classics Day was staged at Wingatui over the weekend, and for the club, racegoers and horses alike, the day was an undeniable success. Noelle Prince, General Manager of Otago Racing Club, acknowledged how special it was for the club to host such a significant event, which was a step in the right direction for racing in the lower South Island. “It was amazing to be given the opportunity to host such a big day,” she said. ‘It was incredible to be a part of. “The…

Wynne hoping to take winning form into NZB Kiwi

Dual licence holder Samantha Wynne had a day to remember in the saddle at Wingatui on Saturday, and she is hoping she can take that winning momentum north to Ellerslie on Saturday where she will line-up Pivotal Ten in the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). At the Property Brokers Otago Classics Day last Saturday, Wynne rode Loftys Gift and Maximus Augustus to victory in the Listed Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) and $200,000 ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m) respectively, while she finished runner-up aboard Airpark Hustler…

Spelling paddock beckoning Savaglee

Gun three-year-old Savaglee will likely head to the spelling paddock following his heroic runner-up performance behind fellow Kiwi-bred Feroce in Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. Racing in The Oaks Stud’s familiar colours, Savaglee has been a standout in his three-year-old term for trainer Pam Gerard, winning the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and placing in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) prior to Saturday’s result. While he was unable to get the chocolates at Flemington, The Oaks Stud General Manager Rick Williams was rapt with his performance…

Goodwood back in Group limelight

Goodwood Stud has downsized its thoroughbred operation in more recent times, but the Manawatu farm remains a breeding force to be reckoned with. Its latest high-profile graduate is the Per Incanto mare Marble Arch, a hollow last-start winner of Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained five-year-old’s victory also earned her a golden ticket into this weekend’s Gr.1 All-Star Mile (1600m), should Lindsay Park take the option of backing her up. “It’s exciting and that would be her toughest task, but she was pretty impressive…

Kembla Grange Tuesday racing preview & tips | March 4, 2025

What Kembla Grange Races Where Kembla Grange Racecourse – Princes Hwy, Kembla Grange NSW 2530 When Tuesday, March 4, 2025 First Race 1:50pm AEDT Visit Dabble Provincial racing returns to Kembla Grange Racecourse on Tuesday afternoon, with a competitive seven-part program set for decision at the Illawarra Turf Club. The rail moves out +8m between the 1100m marker to winning post, while the remainder stays out +6m the rest of the way around. Overcast conditions leading into race-day could mean a downgrade from the Good 4 surface listed at the…