Author: NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton Caretaker trainer Carter Dalgety certainly hasn’t conceded the Saturday’s Chariots Of Fire at Menangle to buzz Aussie pacer Captain Ravishing. Dalgety is buoyed by how well Republican Party has thrived in Australia, along with a potentially tricky draw for Captain Ravishing (1). “I’m really looking forward to the race, to be honest,” he said. Captain Ravishing is a $1.25 favourite with Republican Party third favourite at $11. “Our guy couldn’t be better. He won well here a couple of weeks back and the two weeks between runs…

By Michael Guerin The second line is not usually where punters should go for shopping for a big-race winner at Cambridge. But the evenness of tonight’s $200,000 Harness Million at Cambridge suggest the stars drawn there could still get a fair crack at the first six-figure stake of the harness season. The Harness Million, transferred from a flood-damaged Alexandra Park, shapes as a beauty not only because of the even nature of the field but the fact the two favourites Merlin and Sherlock have drawn the second line. That could…

Check out this week’s Box Seat with hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin.      

By Michael Guerin A strong but steady sale would appear to be a pass mark for Australasia’s most elite yearling sale at Karaka on Sunday. The northern sale as usual kicks off four days for New Zealand Bloodstock Standardbred, with three to follow at Christchurch with just under 400 horses to go under the hammer. The key indicators for sales week are strong: very strong catalogues, good Australian interest, many of the key domestic buyers from recent seasons still likely to buy and a good crop of young trainers coming…

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Otaki trainer Wendy Devenport is eager to head to Manawatu Raceway on Thursday following the postponement of Tuesday’s meeting as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle. She will take her entire race team of two to the Palmerston North track, headed by The Elite Athlete, who will have his fourth start for Devenport after joining her barn earlier this year. He has subsequently placed on two occasions, including last start at Hawera. The Betting Line gelding will be having his first start at Manawatu Raceway…

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

Manawatu will get a replacement meeting this Sunday, after Tuesday’s meeting was abandoned because of Cyclone Gabrielle. It’s been confirmed there will be a noon start with a minimum of six and a maximum of eight races. “I would strongly encourage all trainers and owners to support this new day,” says Harness Racing New Zealand General Manager – Racing, Catherine McDonald, “as it’s a great opportunity for the club to have a meeting on a Sunday, so the fuller the fields the better.” Manawatu also has a seven race programme…

by Dave Di Somma, Harness News desk Whether it’s the battle of the sexes or the great sibling showdown, there will be a race within a race at Addington on Friday night. Canterbury trainer Brad Mowbray will line up his two best horses against each other, with She’s Tough (pictured above)  and He’s Tough (pictured below) both confirmed starters in Race 9, the wwww.theurb.co.nz – The Ultimate Racebook Pace (8.53pm). Mowbray reckons it’s the first time the pair have gone head-to-head. She’s Tough is a six-year-old mare with five wins…

By Adam Hamilton The freshly minted Telfer-Cullen team’s trans-Tasman raid is coming together superbly. Already with a win on the board courtesy of the classy B D Joe, Amanda and Steve Telfer and Hayden Cullen have three key runners across two nights at Newcastle and Menangle. And, crucially, all three have terrific barrier draws. It starts on Friday night when B D Joe and Alta Wiseguy chase a guaranteed Miracle Mile berth by winning the $100,000 Newcastle Mile. They both have gate speed and have drawn to use it from…

Work underway at Alexandra Park Work has started on repairing Alexandra Park after Auckland’s record rainfall a fortnight ago caused massive damage. Such was the flooding at the park that the track needs a full reconstruction. Under the guidance of Track and Venues Inspector John Denton that work has now got underway, though it’s still very much in the early stages. The work is expected to take a fortnight as long as there are no more weather disruptions. In the meantime all racing scheduled at Alexandra Park has been transferred…