Author: NZHarnessNews

Ray Green is back! Just days after being discharged from hospital the two-time New Zealand Cup-winning trainer was back at the work-outs overseeing the progress of his star pacer. To read the story click here

By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s assault on the Inter Dominions has ended on a sad note with long-time trotting series favourite Bolt For Brilliance forced out of the series by injury and set to miss the next six months. The Rowe Cup winner was found to have a fractured pedal bone after pulling up lame following his brave second in a heat of the series at Geelong on Saturday night. He was examined by a veterinarian yesterday and Joshua Dickie, who was looking after Bolt For Brilliance as trainer Tony…

By Michael Guerin Nazareth may have stunned punters by winning the Pron8ure Probiotic $100,000 NZ Trotting Derby on Sunday but co-trainer Robert Dunn says he wasn’t as shocked. The lightly-raced trotter kept his head while many around him lost theirs in the classic and after a perfect Tim Williams drive grabbed Mystic Max right on the line to give Team Dunn the two Trotting Derbys in the same season, with Highgrove having won the Northern Derby in May. He finished a brave third this time after an early gallop, one…

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Muscle Mountain capped a massive day for owner Ian Dobson at Addington Raceway’s Grand Prix Meeting on Sunday. His victory in the Group 1 New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All (1980m) was Dobson’s third of the meeting, following Don’t Stop Dreaming’s win in the Group 1 Ace Of Spades (1980m) and Akuta’s win in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2600m). With archrival Sundees Son withdrawal from the race earlier in the week and Bolt For Brilliance’s absence as a result of the Inter Dominions, Muscle…

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Punters were left in awe of High Energy after her heroine-like performance in winning the Group 1 Canterbury Spa & Pool Ace Of Hearts 2YO Filles Mobile Trot (1980m) at Addington Raceway on Sunday. From her wide draw (7), High Energy was eased off the gate by co-trainer and driver Mark Purdon but was stuck three wide behind The Fiery Countess, where they were forced to remain. Heading into the back straight Purdon elected to make his move four-wide and was able to find…

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk His second-line draw may have kept him out of favour with favourite punters, but it proved no issue for Don’t Stop Dreaming who led home a sea of blue in the Group 1 Ace Of Spades 2YO C&G Mobile Pace (1980m) at Addington Raceway on Sunday. The Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen-trained juvenile had won five of his previous six starts, including the Group 1 Sires’ Stakes Final (1980m) last start, however it was stablemate Sherlock who was backed into favouritism after he drew…

By Jonny Turner Next level is the only way to describe Millwood Nike following her record-breaking win in the Ace Of Diamonds at Addington on Grand Prix Day. The brilliant filly’s performance was so good, it just about had to be seen to be believed. On a national-record-breaking speed, the star Mark Purdon and Hayden sat parked throughout before breezing by her rivals at the top of the straight as if that sizzling pace had meant nothing to her. Clearly a champion of her year and unbeaten in eight starts,…

By Jonny Turner The least talked about of Paul Nairn’s incredible talents as a horseman shone through when Confessional ran to a commanding win in the Group One Ace Of Clubs at Addington on Grand Prix Day. All of Nairn’s skill with a young trotter was on display when the youngster powered away from his rivals in a national-record breaking victory. Nairn’s drive was as good as his horse’s brilliant performance. Over the years, the trainer has handed the reins of his star horses to a line up of top…