Author: NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton Star former Kiwi mare Queen Elida is giving driver Chris Alford that “magical” feeling again. And that’s a stark warning to her rivals heading into Saturday night’s $100,000 Group 1 Macarthur Mile – a race she won last year – at Menangle. Punters have launched on the Brent Lilley-trained mare, backing her from $2.20 into $1.75 despite a back row (gate 10) draw. “She felt so good winning last start,” Alford said. “That’s the mare I got so excited about through the middle of last year. “Her…

TAB NZ and the Government continue to work constructively on the approval process for the strategic partnering arrangement with Entain. It’s expected that by the end of May it will be known if the arrangement will receive Ministerial approval. The TAB Chairman and Chief Executive will meet with Racing Minister Kieran McAnulty again on May 17 and will update the codes on progress then. In March the TAB selected Entain as its preferred partner for a 25-year strategic arrangement. The deal needs Ministerial approval for it to go ahead.

Craig “The Whale” Thompson looks at Auckland today.      

On this day 25 years ago, a little brown standardbred foal was born at Winbak Farm in Canada, later to be named Bettor’s Delight. Since that time Bettor’s Delight has gone on from strength to strength on both the racetrack and in the stallion barn. He was purchased for $65,000 at the 1999 Harrisburg Yearling Sales. He was trained by Scott McEneny and as a 2-year-old he lit up the track winning several feature races including the Nassagaweya Stake, Breeders Crown 2YO Colt & Gelding Pace and Governors Cup. Because…

By Adam Hamilton Young Kiwi horseman Kyle Marshall’s move to Australia just went to another level. Marshall’s stable star and one of the best of his age in New Zealand, Son Of Mac, arrived in Australia yesterday (Wednesday). The American Ideal colt has raced just 11 times for three wins and three placings, but turned heads with a slashing and close second to superstar Merlin in the Group 1 Northern Derby on March 23 at Alexandra Park. “We’re super excited he’s across here now,” Marshall said, “he was coming, then…

By Michael Guerin Punters shouldn’t be concerned by High Energy’s lack of right-handed experience for her Alexandra Park debut tonight because trainer Mark Purdon isn’t. The unbeaten trotting filly (6-6) will be a hot favourite in the $27,000 What The Hill Oaks and is the first leg of a double rare even for Purdon as in the next race he has the also unbeaten pacing filly Millwood Nike (12-12). That is two fillies unbeaten in a combined 18 starts and you could spend a lot of time thinking about it…

By Kimberly Rinker, for Harnesslink Nicole Thomas, a long-time harness racing enthusiast and industry breeding manager, is having the time of her life at Diamond Creek Farm in Kentucky. The 29-year-old was born in Nelson but moved to Christchurch during her high school years to work for Nevele R Stud. “That got me hooked on the business,” Nicole offered. “I really fell in love with the breeding end of the industry. Watching the foals grow and develop and seeing them become racehorses, dealing with them from day one and seeing…

Here’s Greg O’Connor and Darrin Williams with the latest Addington News. 

by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett will have an unusual trans-Tasman dimension to their racing team over the next few days. They will have their first Kiwi starter in Sydney on Saturday night and an Aussie will debut for the stable at Alexandra Park on Thursday night. All Cashed Up has joined their Waiuku base after winning nine races in Australia for owner-breeder Yabby Dam Farms. The now seven-year-old has only raced here once before, at the 2019 Harness Jewels at Addington. “He had…