Author: NZHarnessNews

by Jonny Turner Cran Dalgety has warned Krug may be an even bigger force for his Omakau rivals to contend with than he was in his epic win in the Group One Invercargill Cup. Dalgety and wife and training partner Chrissie will send Krug over the Otago-Canterbury border for the second time to start as the red-hot favourite in the Group Three Central Otago Cup. Krug produced a dazzling display in Southland’s inaugural Group One race at Ascot Park last month and according to Dalgety he hasn’t missed a beat…

Trottech’s selections for the Wairarapa Harness Racing Club meeting at Tauherenikau.   Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race TrottechForm Analyst Race 110.48am 7 Break Free6 Full Of Hope5 Littlebitoflove4 Cruise Control  Race 211.16am 6 Rollwithit2 Peter Forsberg5 Clymenus4 Major Collect  Race 311.44am 6 Private Eye4 Addo Carr2 Uncle Drew5 Superstar Legend Race 412.12pm 6 Mogul3 Where’s Daddy2 Raging Whitebait4 Bettor Grunter    Race 512.40pm 3 Call Security6 Ideal Zen4 Boulton Home8 Artful Living Race 61.08pm 5 Swimintheriver4 Onetangi Girl2 Juliette Shard6 Cristiano Buccini

Racing journalist Jonny Turner’s selections at Omakau today.                   Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Jonny Turner Racing Journalist   Race 112.02pm  7 Lou’s Deal2 Taxman1 Spicy Girl Becqui6 Phone Tap  Race 212.30pm 7 Contessa’s Pride4 Kenny’s Charm1 Miss Gracie8 Janaka’s Delight    Race 31.00pm 5 Rise Up N Dance9 Ideal Chevron10 Mr Teddy2 Man United Race 41.28pm 8 Captain Tom3 Incredible Miki4 Dalton Shard7 Tabasco  Race 52.03pm 4 Pink Panther Pounce7 Onwardsandupwards5 Secret Cocktail1 Vrilo  Race 62.38pm 2 Our Golden Kenny13 Our Pinocchio10 T…

by Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Andre Poutama is looking forward to heading back home to the Central Districts this week to enjoy time with family and take in the region’s two grass track meetings. The Pukekohe-based horseman will trek south with former Central Districts pacer Smokinhotcheddar, whose first assignment of the trip will be the Connie Stewart NZSIR Wairarapa Handicap Pace (2000m) at Tauherenikau on Monday. The daughter of Betterthancheddar recently joined Poutama’s barn and made a winning start for her new conditioner when victorious over 2200m at Cambridge…

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  After a career best 2022 Ben Hope kicks off the New Year with a handy book of drives at Rangiora today. The talented junior driver had 16 wins in December including Homebush Lad’s Reefton and Westport Cup double, and trotting star Muscle Mountain’s Group 1 triumph on Grand Prix day at Addington on December 4. That helped his total for the year to 52, three more than his previous best recorded in 2021. “To get to 50 was pretty cool and 52 is…

by Adam Hamilton Former Kiwi pacer Cranbourne is impressing new trainer David Aiken. The six-year-old was bought by Aiken on behalf of his friend and US-based owner Steve Finkelstein, but will race for at least a couple of months in Victoria. “The plan is for him to head to the US in March,” Aiken said. “Steve owned Ultra Jet, who came across from the US and I had a lot of success with in the big races in the early 1990s. We became great mates and have been ever since.…

By Michael Guerin Alta Wisguy put the ultimate exclamation mark on Team Telfer’s premiership-winning season in the final race of 2022. In a stunning training performance from the new champions as they produced the speedster fresh-up to trail and then grab Copy That in the $50,000 Lincoln Farm Franklin Cup at Alexandra Park, courtesy of a wonderful drive from Tim Williams to take him to him to a exactly 100 for the year. It was a fitting end to Team Telfer’s first premiership season but you don’t get to the…

By Michael Guerin Blair Orange went within a nose of a perfect end to another premiership season at Alexandra Park on Saturday night. But he still looks back on season 2022 with some wonderful memories. Orange and Copy That just failed to cap the season with the ultimate exclamation mark after a slowish start from their 30m backmark saw them a long way off the leaders at the 2400m and even after surging to the lead at the top of the straight he was just grabbed by Alta Wiseguy. But…

Aaron White’s selections for Alexandra Park today.                Race   Aaron White Race 112:17pm 11 Melsadele4 Conrad H10 Eye Love You3 Rock on Jazz Race 212:42pm 9 Sooner The Bettor11 Bettor Heist4 The Brave6 Mandown Race 31:07pm 10 American Muscle9 Dream of You3 Faith in Manchester5 Saninarmbro Race 41:42pm 6 Neptune3 Aardie’s Flash4 Charlie Brown5 Frankie Major Race 52:17pm 7 Miki Montana6 Artisan2 Mercury Rising9 Lincoln River Race 62:52pm 11 Escape the Pace3 Mums Jewel6 Aldebaran Flame7 Errol D Race 73:25pm 3 Melanion8 Jack…

by Adam Hamilton One of Cran Dalgety’s best horses is a filly he’s never seen and is based in a different country. Dalgety owns a half-share in exciting Victorian filly Joyful, who is $1.15 favourite to win Saturday night’s $130,000 Group 1 Vicbred 2YO fillies’ final at Melton. It means the colourful Kiwi will be awake to see in the New Year, hopefully cracking open a beer to celebrate, with Joyful’s race scheduled for 11.43pm NZ time. How Dalgety’s involvement came about is a terrific story. “She’s an Alabar filly…