By Jonny Turner A big effort in the Hambletonian Classic looks great form for Master Class to take to Rangiora on Wednesday. Trainer-driver Kimberly Butt lines the three-year-old up in easier company after his big effort for sixth at Ashburton on Labour Day. Master Class finished just over three lengths behind Mystic Max in his record-breaking win after being sent to the unruly after getting himself worked up. “I was rapt with how he went, he obviously got himself stirred up, just going behind the mobile the first time he…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Update from the Chair – November 2022
Industry Update from John Coulam, HRNZ Chair November 2022 During the month of October, the Harness Racing New Zealand Annual Conference was held and this was followed by the Annual General meeting of clubs and kindred bodies. At the Annual meeting we bid farewell as a director to Colin Hair, who had served on the HRNZ Board for at least 13 years, first representing the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders’ Association, and then following a constitution change, Colin was elected by clubs and kindred bodies to the Board. For most of…
The Box Seat – November 15
Check out the Box Seat’s special review of IRT New Zealand Cup and Show week with hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin.
Delany dissects his drives at Manawatu
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Northern reinsman Nathan Delany is looking forward to heading to Manawatu Raceway on Tuesday where he will have seven drives on the eight-race card. Cambridge trainer Mike Berger has entrusted Delany to do the steering behind his two representatives and Delany has his eyes on the prize with About Turn in the Mad Butcher Wairarapa Cup Mobile Pace (2000m). “It is a race I would like to win myself. Wairarapa is a part of Wellington really, which is where I was brought up, so…
Escobar aiming for two from two
By Jonny Turner Punters shouldn’t read too much into which horse Nathan Williamson is driving when three of his stable clash in an even affair at Winton on Sunday. Williamson returns from Canterbury following the New Zealand Cup Carnival to line up Escobar, Foveaux Strait and Who’s Bettor in race 8, as well as Amass in race 2. The trainer drives Who’s Bettor but she doesn’t hold the number 1 seed among his runners in an intriguing mile contest. Starting fresh up and drawing one the second row both look…
Whale Watch – Winton – today
Craig “The Whale” Thompson is back with his best for Winton today.
Cranbourne back in the zone for FFA
By Jonny Turner The team behind Cranbourne have absolutely no plans to reveal their tactics ahead of the New Zealand Free-For-All. The rugged five-year-old looks to hold one of three trump cards on the front line and just what driver Matthew Williamson will do early in the race will be vital. Cranbourne, who has drawn barrier 4, is known as a horse that loves to roll along at a hot pace. To his outer is noted gate flyer Spankem (6), as well as the early favourite Rock N Roll Doo…
Oaks dress rehearsal for Cambridge filly
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Cambridge filly Con Grazia Love will have one final hit-out on her home track on Friday before heading south to tackle the Group 1 New Zealand Trotting Oaks (1980m) at Addington Raceway later this month. The daughter of Love You has won her last two starts and will face stiff opposition in the Thames Trotters Cup (2700m), which has been more by chance than design. “She is a nice filly. I wanted to run her in a mobile three-year-old race but that didn’t get…
Sundees Son vying for Dominion hat-trick
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Sundees Son will be vying to win three consecutive editions of the Group 1 Dominion Trot (3200m) when he heads to Addington Raceway on Friday. TAB bookmakers believe the Champion trotter can achieve the rare feat, installing the seven-year-old a $1.70 favourite for the Renwick Farms-sponsored race. There were questions surrounding the Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained square-gaiter after he broke in his first two starts this preparation, but he returned to his brilliant best when winning the Gr.3 South Bay Cup (2400m) at Kaikoura…
Team Telfer – “we will lead”
By Michael Guerin Team Telfer are approaching a Group 1 double at Addington with the same attitude that is winning them the New Zealand trainers’ premiership. So expect take-no-prisoners tactics from their drivers in both the Airpark Canterbury $200,000 New Zealand Pacing Free-For-All and the Dunstan Horsefeeds $150,000 Sires’ Stakes Fillies Final at Addington on Friday. The brother and sister team of Steve and Amanda Telfer may be just seven weeks away from winning the trainers’ premiership for the first time, with a seven-win margin over the Dunns and the…