Author: NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner Aveross Majesty’s love of grass tracks was on show when he surged back into his best form at Oamaru yesterday. The trotter scored his third win in just four starts on the Oamaru grass when holding off a late challenge from Cody Banner. As the horse’s owner, trainer and driver, Denis O’Connell should be taking most of the credit for the victory. But he was quick to deflect praise as his Waikouaiti trotter returned to his best form on what is clearly his favourite track. “He is…

By Adam Hamilton Champion driver Chris Alford thinks a back row draw could be a blessing in disguise for former Kiwi mare Queen Elida in the Inter Dominion trotting final. Alford, who has won pacing finals on Golden Reign and Lennytheshark, is yet to win the trotting final. But he thinks the Brent Lilley-trained Queen Elida has the class and speed to deliver it for him on Saturday night at Melton. “I’m not fussed about drawing inside the back row, in fact I think it’s a good thing,” he said.…

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Mike Berger will be celebrating his 69th birthday on Friday, but he is hoping one of his presents comes early when he heads to Manawatu Raceway on Thursday. The Cambridge trainer will take four runners to the Palmerston North track, including Cos I Can who will contest “The Cobb” Manawatu Cup Mobile Pace (2500m). The three-year-old gelding heads into the meeting’s feature in good form, having placed in his last two starts, including a runner-up effort at Manawatu Raceway on Tuesday behind race rival…

By Jonny Turner Macandrew Aviator will take an important step towards the Group 1 Invercargill Cup at Winton on Thursday. Trainer Kirstin Green has the pacer back in his home province after he battled the best of the best pacers throughout the spring. Macandrew Aviator is gearing up for what is set to be a remarkable day in Southland harness racing’s history after a freshen-up following his very unlucky run in the New Zealand Free-For-All. If the horse is going to be a serious Invercargill Cup contender he is going…

Check out this week’s Box Seat with hosts Greg O’Connor and Matt Cross.     

Harness Racing New Zealand – Funding Update Just what the TAB’s proposed reduction in funding will mean for all three codes should be known before Christmas. “We have had a lot of discussions with the TAB since the announcement was made last week and we are continuing to make progress,” says Harness Racing New Zealand Chief Executive Gary Woodham. “We are now in a position to confirm that there will be a reduction of funding of $15m for the remainder of the 2022-23 season, so that takes us to the…

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

The Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports awards are back in 2023, after a Covid-enforced absence, and the call is out for nominations. Now in their seventh year, the awards have featured previous harness racing-related winners including top junior driver Sarah O’Reilly for outstanding young rural person, Ricky May and his “lifetime legacy” award and Kidz Kartz founders Deneece and Murray Goldsworthy for their outstanding contribution to rural sports. Due to the last ceremony being cancelled all achievements in 2021 and 22 will be considered for next year’s awards. The winners…