By Michael Guerin The Team Telfer fightback goes up a gear at Alexandra Park tonight. And while senior trainer Steve Telfer admits winning the premiership won’t be easy he hasn’t give up on it yet. Telfer and training partner and sister Amanda go into tonight’s meeting on 74 wins, 22 behind the Robert and Jenna Dunn combination, with the two stables having almost identical strike rates but the Dunns have had more starters. The Telfers have a big team in tonight, with open class stars like B D Joe and…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Stella Bay carrying Bond family’s hopes in Winton
By Jonny Turner Lyndon Bond hopes he can produce a special win at Winton as harness racing resumes in Southland today. The Bond stable is a family operation with Lyndon’s wife Aimee and daughter Millie contributing to the team’s great results in recent seasons. Recently the family suffered the loss of Aimee’s father Colin Argyle, whose funeral was held on Wednesday. Bond would dearly love to acknowledge his father in law’s passing with what would be a special victory at Winton. “The old fella left $50 in his back pocket…
In-form Williamson team aiming high
By Jonny Turner Matthew Williamson’s team is flying. Not literally, as they are doing many miles up and down the middle of the South Island via horse transporter. But as far as form goes, the Oamaru trainer has produced excellent results this year which only seem to get better the further the winter goes on. While Williamson’s team on the track is doing their bit, he credits his team off the track for his great run of success in 2024. “It’s a big team effort and there are a lot…
Warren Stapleton bringing value to Addington today
By Mike Love Rakaia trainer Warren Stapleton has three chances at good odds today at Addington. In race 1, the Betavet Prepare, He’s Santas Excuse ($21.00FF) will line up for just the second time for Stapleton after things went awry last week. “He was hitting the wheels last week. So we are expecting a more improved run this week. He would be a good place bet.” He’s Santas Excuse will be driven by Warren Frost who also part owns the gelding of Net Ten EOM. Race 5, the Betavet Regumare…
Major Hot to lead Kiwi charge in Brisbane tonight
By Adam Hamilton Daring to chase the riches in Queensland could still bring Group 1 glory for David and Stacey White, just not with the horse they expected. The Whites, the lone Kiwis flying the flag through this huge Queensland Constellations, had to scrap Group 1 plans with their top young trotter Bet N Win due to a cruelly-timed hoof abscess. Enter their new stable addition Major Hot. The fact they were spending a chunk of time in Queensland with Bet N Win, saw Major Hot transferred to them from…
Hackett with each way chances at Alexandra Park
By Brigette Solomon Junior driver Crystal Hackett has three promising drives at Alexandra Park, all for her parents, Waiuku based trainers Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett. “All three of the horses are nice each way chances,” says Hackett, “they’ve all been racing well but they meet fairly level fields tonight.” The first of the series races is Race 5, The Woodlands Stud Winter Rewards Final Handicap Trot over 2700 metres, in which Hackett drives Magic Dash who starts off a 20 metre handicap. “I’ll be looking to drive Magic Dash…
Crowded “House” at Addington tonight
By Mike Love It is winter rewards time again. It’s a concept that was developed in recent seasons to accommodate low to mid range horses. Tonight there’ll be five races at Addington and four at Alexandra Park, each worth $25,000. One trainer that has supported meetings up and down the country is Prebbleton trainer Michael House. Tonight he will be represented by seven horses across four finals at Addington. House will line up Boyz Invasion ($26.00FF) in race 4, the IRT. Your Horse. Our Passion. Winter Rewards Final for the…
Blacks A Fake has implications for IRT New Zealand Cup
By Adam Hamilton The $1m IRT NZ Trotting Cup is still more than three months away, but one of the most defining lead-up races is just days away. Defending champion Swayzee, Aussie champ Leap To Fame and Swayzee’s stablemates Nerano and District Attorney could all be at Addington on the second Tuesday in November. That quartet headlines a strong and fascinating $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake (2680m) at Albion Park on Saturday night (10.41pm). Leap To Fame is a commanding $2 favourite in current markets for the NZ Cup,…
Tricky draws for favourites in the Blacks A Fake
By Adam Hamilton Luck as much as talent could decide if champion pacer Leap To Fame wins Saturday night’s $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park (2680m). As great as the five-year-old is, Leap To Fame’s lack of early speed makes barrier one tricky. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon conceded it was one of two barriers he didn’t want – one or eight (inside the back row). “He’s getting off the gate better all the time, but there’s a couple of really quick ones drawn outside him,” he said. Noted…
Indicative fields out for Winter Rewards
The indicative fields are out for Friday’s 2024 North of the Waitaki Winter Rewards at Addington Raceway. The final fields will be published tomorrow. To see the indicative fields click here