Dunstan Battle of the Breeds returns to Cambridge Raceway

Dunstan Horsefeeds Battle of the Breeds is back at Cambridge Raceway on Sunday February 26, bigger and better than ever before. Cambridge Raceway have partnered with Love Racing to bring a whole lot of standardbred vs. thoroughbred fun to the Waikato-BOP Harness Racing club’s meeting. The Dunstan Horsefeeds Battle of the Breeds, a three-phase equestrian event held in the infield to showcase the equine heroes of both codes in life after racing, will kick off prior to race one with a host of familiar riders and horses entered. The ultimate…

Miracle Mile boost for B D Joe

By Adam Hamilton New Zealand’s main Miracle Mile contender B D Joe’s prospects have been boosted even before he heads to Saturday night’s Newcastle Mile. In a late and surprise move, Team McCarthy has opted to skip Newcastle and run Bondi Lockdown in the qualifying sprints at Menangle on Saturday week. Regardless of barrier draws, Bondi Lockdown would have been a clear favourite for Newcastle after two fantastic runs, including a Menangle win last Saturday, from two starts since joining Team McCarthy. The key to the Newcastle Mile is that…

Nathan Williamson joins 1000 win club

by Jonny Turner Nathan Williamson etched his name into harness racing’s history books the same way he began his career when scoring his 1000th driving win in New Zealand with Janaka’s Delight at Ascot Park yesterday. Williamson’s incredible success in the sport started when driving the maiden trotter Brooker to victory at Forbury Park in August of 2005. The star reinsman joined his brother Matthew Williamson in New Zealand’s 1000 win club when expertly handling another maidener in Janaka’s Delight. Win number one came in his father Phil Williamson’s colours…

Davis delighted with Cup win

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Rob Davis has been involved in harness racing for many years, but he is having the time of his life in the sport at present courtesy of his stable star Buckskin. The Greendale horseman acquired the son of American Ideal off former employer James Geddes after the latter was culling his numbers, and he said leasing the gelding has been one of the best decisions he has made. “I worked for James Geddes for a number of years, initially milking cows,” Davis said. “He…

Aussie News : February 12

by Adam Hamilton Phil Williamson’s extended stay in Australia took a different twist when he drove an outside winner at Geelong last Friday night. Williamson, who has star trotter Majestic Man stabled with Brent Lilley, drove Love You filly Our Marvella to lead throughout and win easily at Geelong. Our Marvella has won twice with a second from just four runs this season and given Lilley’s fantastic record, she could develop into an Oaks filly. Majestic Man, who started his Aussie campaign well with a Dullard Cup, hasn’t gone on…

Is today the day for Nathan Williamson?

The stage is set for history to be made at Ascot Park on Sunday. Leading Southland reinsman Nathan Williamson goes into the Riverton Trotting Club meeting on 999 career driving wins in New Zealand. And the man affectionately known as ‘The Goat’ by his fellow trainers and drivers looks a massive chance of joining the highly prestigious 1000-win club. Jonny Turner takes a look at Williamson’s strong book of drives and rates how likely each one is to add to the reinsman’s huge haul of wins in New Zealand. Race…

Selections | Riverton – Today

Racing journalist Jonny Turner’s selections for Riverton Trotting Club meeting at Ascot Park, Invercargill.    Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Jonny TurnerRacing Journalist  Race 112.19pm 8 Superfastsuperstar1 Julie Jaccka5 Majesdix6 Kyle Loch  Race 212.45pm 2 Call Me Sir3 Better Be Watching1 Robyn X11 The Ladybird  Race 31.11pm 2 Sherwood Maggie5 I’m Watching You7 Haley Robyn3 Jabali Race 41.38pm 1 Netherton Franco9 Henry Maguire7 Magic Sign10 Cast A Shadow Race 52.05pm 6 Rakadan8 Duke Of Scotland3 Scruffy7 Maverick Star Race 62.32pm 5 Ultimate Challenge4 Beach Day1 Nek Delight7 Betta Watch…

Got You Covered primed for Hororata Cup

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Got You Covered will be looking to improve on his runner-up effort in the Waikouaiti Pacers Cup (3000m) last week when he heads to Methven on Sunday. Trainers Brent and Tim White have been pleased with the way he has come through the race and are looking forward to stepping him out over the same distance in the Garrard’s Horse & Hound Hororata Cup (3000m). “He has come through his run last week well. I was happy with that, being his first run back…

Butt delighted with Group 1 victory

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk The decision to send Callie’s Delight south 16 months ago has proven to be a masterstroke by her previous trainer John Dickie. The now seven-year-old mare was a highly consistent performer for his Clevedon operation, winning seven races and placing in the Group 1 Queen Of Hearts (2200m), but he thought she was better placed in the south. Dickie advised Callie’s Delight’s owners to send her to Woodend Beach trainer Bob Butt and she has thrived in the coastal environment. She has added a…

Son Of Mac upsets Merlin at Cambridge

By Michael Guerin The biggest decision of Kyle Marshall’s career has been followed by a very mature decision about his best horse. And it paid instant dividends in a high-class three-year-old race at Cambridge on Thursday night. The Marshall-trained Son Of Mac led throughout to win the 1700m pace in a 1:54.3 mile rate, holding out the late charge of Merlin who struggled to get into the race from his wide draw. While he was back and then wide, Son Of Mac was under a nice rein from new driver…