Author: NZHarnessNews

A new era is underway at Tardina Stud. Following the death of iconic breeder, owner and veterinary surgeon Tony Parker in March it’s now the next generation, led by daughter Faine, who’s carrying on the family name. And that starts with six offerings at the NZB Standardbred Weanling Sales at Karaka on Thursday, May 25. By Rob Courtney When I rang Faine to talk about the family breeding operation, Auckland was in the middle of another weather bomb and 165mls of rain had fallen already that morning alone. As a…

By Adam Hamilton Former Kiwi trotting mare Escape The Pace won in good style at her first run for new trainer Rickie Alchin at Menangle on Saturday night. Formerly trained by Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan, Escape The Pace galloped at her first Aussie run in the Group 1 Macarthur Mile a week earlier. This time she stepped away well from the standing start to lead and never looked in danger. And there was a top result for Michelle Wallis’ raider Melsadele who ran a terrific second in the Schweppes…

By Jonny Turner Evangalist has the right form to clinch a deserved win at Ashburton on Mother’s Day. The Jason and Ian Thomas trained five-year-old has produced placings in her last two starts at Addington, with both coming in tougher fields than the one she faces in race 7. Jason Thomas’s mum Sue shares in the ownership of Evangalist and the trainer looks a big chance of delivering an outstanding Mother’s Day present. Bookmakers certainly think so – opening the mare at a $1.90 opening price in her junior driver’s…

By Michael Guerin The whip flourish from Korbyn Newman said it all. It may have also earned him a warning from the stewards for the 23-year-old horseman’s expression of sheer joy as he and one of his favourite horses Mighty Looee won the $90,000 Hydroflow Country Cups Championship at Addington on Friday. Newman had every reason to be be excited as not only was it the biggest win of his career but one of the most improbable as Mighty Looee only overcame a 20m handicap but also being last in…

By Michael Guerin Katie Cox has one of the best juvenile pacers in the country but now she has to figure out what to do with him. Cox was crowned the Queen Of Addington on Friday night as she trained and drove It’s Tough to win the Avon City Ford Welcome Stakes on debut over another debutante in A Little Silence. Winning a race as renowned as the Welcome Stakes at your first start is a massive deal but It’s Tough did it running past two All Stars-trained favourites in…

By Jonny Turner Gronkowski looks set to resume normal transmission for trainer Tyler Dewe at Winton on Saturday. Gronkowski along with Eyre I Will, James Cagney and Flying Bird look strong plays for win punters on a ten-race card at Central Southland Raceway. Race 5 – Gronkowski (2) – Opening Fixed Odds $2.70Tyler Dewe’s team has been a little quiet recently after a bug went through his stable.Dewe has clearly put the issue in the rear-view with the rookie trainer set to line up his biggest team at a race…