Author: NZHarnessNews

Trackside talk’s to the key people around Friday nights Group 1 Messenger out of Alexandra Park

With three Group 1s, Auckland’s Premier Meeting at Alexandra Park on Friday, May 3 promises to be a beauty. Included in the night’s action will be the Dawson Harford NZ Messenger, the Breckon Farms Young Guns Cardigan Bay Stakes and the Peter Breckon Memorial National Trot, all worth $110,000. So to help keep you updated we have produced a special lift-out with articles, selections and more. You can see it here  

Check out this week’s Box Seat with hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin.   

By Michael Guerin Finally the Australian pacers get draws they can work with at Alexandra Park on Friday night. While Just Believe has dominated the major trots over the last month from handy enough draws (not that he needed them) the Australian pacing team of Speak The Truth and Better Eclipse haven’t been able to buy a draw in either the Race by Grins or the Taylor Mile last Friday. But that changes in the $110,000 Dawson Harford Messenger Pace this Friday when Speak The Truth gets barrier 1 over…

By Adam Hamilton As if facing Ladies In Red wasn’t a big enough challenge, buzz Kiwi mare Aardies Express will have to overcome a horror draw in Saturday night’s $200,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile at Menangle. The barrier draw totally reshaped betting on Australia’s biggest mares’ race with Ladies In Red firming from $2.50 to $1.65 after landing gate two, while Aardies Express drifted from $2.50 to $3.40 from out wide in gate 11. She’ll start from nine if the emergencies come out. Ladies In Red’s driver David…

By Mike Love  Rangiora trainer Tom Bamford will line up four runners at today’s Rangiora meeting, including stable star Rakero Rocket in the Waimakariri Businesses Rangiora Winter Cup. Bamford kicks off his chances with his 100th starter to the races in race 2 the Anne Thompson graduation series for pacers, with heat one over 2600m. In this event Rakero Chase ($26.00FF) with Gavin Smith in the sulky. “She’s getting used to racing. We can put a line through her last start, but her first start she ran home good at…

By Jonny Turner What should happen at Winton on Saturday is no guarantee. That’s hardly news for any harness racing tragic or casual follower ahead of Captainshavtime approaching her second career start. The two-year-old impressed in her debut on the same track earlier this month when running third in Group 2 company behind the highly talented Captains Mistress. That looks incredible form to bring to a maiden assignment and while trainer Brett Gray is hopeful his filly can run up to her form, he isn’t thinking Captainshavtime is a past…

Selections for Wairio today      Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Jonny TurnerRacing Journalist  Race 112.35pm  6 Scott10 Artmore5 Wehavtime7 Big Boyz Toyz  Race 21.00pm 1 Jonjondagoosehasgone6 On The Beach7 Foxing Easton10 Asta  Race 31.25pm 2 Bob Barrelit4 Stella bay8 Hennessy10 Action Packed  Race 41.52pm 3 Superfast8 Raknruin6 Robyns Hustler5 Montage  Race 52.19pm 11 Blithe12 Bring On The Muscle6 Johns Boy13 Our Pinocchio  Race 62.43pm 3 Captainshavtime6 Matau Maria12 Northview Ocean9 It’s A Pleasure  Race 73.10pm 9 On The Wing11 Bobbies Rock10 Sky Rocket7 Outback Man  Race 83.40pm  8…

By Mike Love Mid Canterbury reinsman Gerard O’Reilly could offer punters some value at tonight’s ANZAC weekend race meeting at Addington. O’Reilly steers six chances, the first of those in race 2 the Airpark Canterbury Mobile Trot, where he teams up with Bruce Negus and consistent trotter Buffy Northstains ($8.50FF). “She went nice last start. I haven’t driven her before. She’s probably my best each way chance of the night,” O’Reilly said. She’s drawn well at 5, over 1980 metres. The three favoured in the market are Judy J ($3.20FF),…