Author: NZHarnessNews

Craig “The Whale” Thompson shares his thoughts on Blenheim today.   

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Kendra Gill was on cloud nine after recording her first training win at Waterlea Raceway on Friday with Amarla in the Carters Blenheim Mobile Pace (1850m). Gill is in her second season training in partnership with her grandfather, Mark, who has been instrumental in her involvement with harness racing. “My Grandad, Mark, has been training since before I could walk,” Gill said. “I did the equestrian side for many years and then I had a couple of knee reconstructions, so riding became a bit…

By Michael Guerin A winning double at Alexandra Park on Friday night didn’t put the usual smile on senior training partner Robert Dunn’s face. Because he wasn’t there to enjoy it, being at the far less enjoyable Middlemore Hospital south of Auckland after an early morning track accident. Dunn was getting MRI scans around the time firstly The Brave then Mountain Mass won races 2 and 2 respectively, after having fallen from the sulky heading to the Pukekohe training track on Friday morning. He was diagnosed with a broken elbow…

By Jonny Turner Macandrew Aviator clinched a richly deserved victory with his perfect performance in the Group 3 Northern Southland Cup at Ascot Park yesterday. After competing admirably against New Zealand’s best pacers through spring and summer, it was the six-year-old’s turn to bask in the Invercargill sun. The victory was set up by the brilliant beginning Macandrew Aviator made which allowed driver Craig Ferguson to slot him into a perfect run in the trail. The pacer didn’t waste that opportunity when powering to victory for trainer Kirstin Green and…

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk The well-known silver and blue silks of Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan were once again to the fore at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night. The Clevedon barn went into the meeting’s feature, the Waikato Pacing Breeders’ Stakes (1700m), with the two fancied runners and went home with the winning cheque courtesy of Artisan. Driver Zachary Butcher eased her off the gate from her wide draw to settle off the pace. She remained near the rear of the field before following Mahia Dream three-wide down…

By Adam Hamilton Part-owner Josh Dickie thinks a tricky draw is an ideal draw for Old Town Road in Saturday night’s Group 1 Ballarat Cup. The emerging Kiwi star will start from inside the back row (gate eight) – most likely behind Rock N Roll Doo – in the 2710m feature. “For where he’s at, I think it’s an ideal draw,” Dickie said. “He’s already on the pegs, is assured of an easy run and if there’s no scratchings, we’re drawn to follow Anthony Butt and Rock N Roll Doo.…

By Michael Guerin Tony Herlihy has had a small win this week even before he takes his Harness Jewels champ Double Delight to Alexandra Park tonight. Because he now has back in the stable, albeit it in a non-working capacity, his stable star Bolt For Brilliance as he continues his recovery from a fractured pedal bone. Bolt For Brilliance suffered that injury in the final round of heats of the Inter Dominions in Victoria last month, not only costing him his spot in the Final which he was favourite to…

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Reigning Arden has taken a different route to the races than most horses. The diminutive pacer will make her debut as a five-year-old at Waterlea Raceway on Friday, but that wasn’t in the original blueprint of her connections. The daughter of Bettor’s Delight was purchased out of Arden Lodge’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Standardbred National Yearling Sale draft for $18,000 and her early education with trainer Simon Adlam went to plan. However, when returning to her owner’s Central Otago property for a spell, Reigning…

A big day at Invercargill today including the running of the Group 3 Macca Lodge Northern Southland Cup at 6.49pm. Here are a few tips to help guide you through the 11 race programme. Race 1 – Lippy, Sippy and Drippy Mobile Pace – 2.37pm A curious race to start the day with punters needing to keep in mind that the top two horses place a lot more often than they win. Magic Sign can be an up and down type but he was last seen charging out of the…

by Jonny Turner Jonny Cox has faith in Lumen Caeli ahead of the pacer’s toughest career test in the Group 3 Macca Lodge Northern Southland Cup on Thursday. Cox heads south to his home province to combine with the promising Mark and Nathan Purdon trained four-year-old. Lumen Caeli has impressed in his short career, but he is yet to face hardy open class types like Macandrew Aviator and Pembrook Playboy. But Cox thinks the horse is up for the challenge. “I don’t think he will disgrace himself, he is obviously…