By Michael Guerin Trainer John Dickie is convinced Old Town Road’s Auckland Cup campaign is back on track. But he says getting him back from the track might be the problem. The Race by Grins runner-up has not been seen since then and Dickie says that is partially due to developing the most unusual of problems. “He has become a bit of a bad traveller but not going to the races, only coming home,” says Dickie. “His last two starts have been at Cambridge and both times he has gone…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Country Cups Final – who’s in and who’s not
The eagerly anticipated $90,000 Hydroflow NZ Country Championship Final is just over a week away, and it’s now known who is eligible and who is not. A capacity field of 16 will start in the Listed race at Addington on Friday May 12 after a qualifying series that featured 41 races, starting way back with the Kurow Cup last August. The final race was the Waimakariri Businesses Rangiora Winter Cup on Sunday. Points are accrued throughout the series but to eligible horses must have had a minimum of three qualifying…
Update – Gary Woodham
Harness Racing New Zealand Chief Executive Gary Woodham has now left hospital, and is recovering at home. Gary has made good progress since undergoing surgery on Wednesday after having a medical event at work. He would like to thank the many well wishers who have been in touch over the last few days. He is also very grateful to the first responders and others who came to his aid during what was a very difficult time. In Gary’s absence General Manager Corporate Services Liz Bishop will be responsible for all…
HRNZ Liaison – “it’s about upping communication to everyone”
In what is a first, Harness Racing New Zealand has created a position of HRNZ Liaison, with former registration and racing assistant Cameron Kirkwood to take up the role immediately. “Liaison is not a fancy job description but it is exactly what it says,” says Kirkwood, “it’s all about upping the communication to everyone – licence holders, clubs, owners, punters, everyone involved in the sport.” The liaison job aims to : – Help HRNZ communicate better with its owners, breeders, licence holders– Update licence-holders on what and where their horses…
Alford and Gath recognised at Horse of the Year awards
By Adam Hamilton Two of the greats of Australian harness racing, Chris Alford and Andy Gath, were honoured at the Victorian Horse of the Year Awards. Alford, who turns 55 this month and is rapidly closing in on a Down Under record 8000 career wins, was awarded the Gordon Rothacker Medal for distinguished and sustained service to the industry. “I can’t remember the last time I cried, but I have tonight … it’s just such a surprise,” Alford said. In a lovely touch, organisers had Alford’s mum and three children…
Triple G wins again – “think he’s up there with the good ones”
by Dave Di Somma Harness News Desk It was the Johnny and Jimmy show at Rangiora yesterday. The in-form John Dunn led the way with four wins on the 10 race programme while Jim Curtin chimed in with a double. In what was a top day for Diamond Racing, Robert and Jenna Dunn trained three winners. Howling Wolf cleared out to a two and half length victory in the Anne Thompson Memorial Graduation Mobile Pace (Heat 1), Triple G was impressive in the Kotare Downs Rangiora 3YO Stakes Mobile Pace…
Sinnamon buzzing after Outback Man’s win on debut
By Jonny Turner The passion matched the performance when Outback Man ran to a debut victory at Ascot Park on Saturday. The three-year-old led throughout in what was effectively a repeat of his excellent trial win on the same track earlier this month, when scoring for trainer Tony Stratford and driver Blair Orange. Outback Man is raced by his Central Otago breeders Graham and Dianne Sinnamon. Graham Sinnamon could easily be described as one of southern harness racing’s most passionate supporters and that was evident when he cheered home his…
Aussie News – April 30
By Adam Hamilton It was fitting that a former Kiwi star gave Greg Sugars a “welcome home” present at Melton last night. Sugars has spent much of the past month in NZ with Better Eclipse and Triple Eight. Rejuvenated veteran A Gs White Socks was driven with confidence by Sugars and thrashed his rivals in the Golden Reign free-for-all. It was the nine-year-old’s 17th career win and his fourth victory from his past five starts for Jess Tubbs. X X X Australia’s top trotter Just Believe will have his final…
Triple G headlines strong team for Team Dunn
by Jonny Turner Exciting three-year-old Triple G is among an outstanding team Diamond Racing take to Rangiora on Sunday. Triple G goes into the Rangiora Three-Year-Old Stakes after producing three excellent performances this time in. The pacer has won twice, with his only defeat coming in a strong second placing behind star three-year-old Don’t Stop Dreaming. Triple G has been up on the speed in all three runs, but he may not be on Sunday after drawing on the outside of the front line. But driver John Dunn is confident…
Vale Jeff Crouth
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk After a harness racing career that spanned nearly 40 years, former Pukekohe-based trainer Jeff Crouth has died in Northland. From 1977 to 2014, Crouth had 232 wins and accrued nearly $3m in stakes, before making a big lifestyle change. “He retired to head up north and go fishing,” says Trish, his wife of 53 years. They settled in the Northland coastal community of One Tree Point. Throughout his decades of training one of Crouth’s main drivers was champion reinsman Maurice McKendry. “Jeff was…