Author: NZHarnessNews

Lord Forbes making his mark at stud

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner Great results on track are not the only reason cult hero Lord Forbes is proving popular with breeders. Lord Forbes was a fan favourite during his time on the track and moved into a much quieter life off it for his former owner-trainer-driver Gavin Forbes. The stallion retired with 11 wins, 28 placings and $148,707 in stakes earnings. Forbes bred one mare a year to the stallion in his retirement and the results so far have been outstanding. From just two starts, the sire has produced two…

Muscle Bank’s big move up trotters’ leaderboard

NZHarnessNews

A winning double at Blenheim has propelled Muscle Bank up to second in the Seddon Shields Trotters’ Series. The Tom Bamford-trained trotter was in imperious form in Marlborough and now has 22 points in the series, four behind Boyz Invasion who he beat into second place on both days (January 19 and 21) at Waterlea Raceway. Boyz Invasion now has a four point lead on 26. He’s the only trotter who has started in all seven races in the series so far. In its first year, the series, run by…

Trainers to be part of Teal Pants fund-raiser

NZHarnessNews

A new dimension is being added to Harness Racing New Zealand’s Teal Pants campaign this year. For the first time two trainers will be involved. They will be Amber Lethaby in the South Island, and Nicky Chilcott in the North Island. Every time one of their horses win $100 will be donated to the cause by HRNZ. They will join a roster of five drivers or ambassadors. They are: Sarah O’ReillyKerryn TomlinsonKim ButtCrystal HackettNeita Balle The drivers will wear teal pants and teal silks throughout the campaign and will have…

Leap To Fame all but confirmed for The Race by Grins

NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton Australia’s champion pacer Leap To Fame is heading to New Zealand. Leviathan owner Kevin Seymour said it was no longer an if, but a when Leap To Fame crossed the ditch to chase the $1m Race by Grins at Cambridge on April 12. “The race is a target and we are well advanced in talks with slot holders,” he said. “We said a while back he wouldn’t be going to the Perth race and that New Zealand was the aim. “We’ve got a pretty clear plan in…

Tom Bamford’s Blenheim double – “a ripper of a day”

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk By his own admission Tom Bamford had “a ripper of a day” at Blenheim on Sunday. The 28-year-old recorded the first training double of his career when Muscle Bank and Millwood Indie both recorded strong and definitive victories at Waterlea Raceway. That also completed a double for Muscle Bank after her win on Friday, while Millwood Indie went one better than her second behind Tokyo Rose on the first day. “Sometimes you worry about how they are going to back up, especially Muscle…

December’s breeding and ownership winners

NZHarnessNews

The winners of Harness Racing New Zealand’s monthly breeder and owner awards have been decided for December. In an initiative to highlight those that help keep our sport going, HRNZ has been making the monthly awards since October last year. All owners and breeders who win a race during the month are eligible, with a random number generator selecting the two winners. December’s winners are breeder Mark Booth for Lizzie Richter’s win at Ashburton on December 21 and Shona Nairn, who is one of the owners of El Conqueror who…

Aussie News – January 21

NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton As the odds of champion Aussie trotter Just Believe contesting the inaugural TAB Trot at Cambridge shorten by the day, the aura around him continues to grow. The eight-year-old made it six wins from as many starts back from Sweden when he returned from a freshen-up in stunning style at Ballarat last night. Despite sitting parked in quick time, Just Believe won without being extended by 3.9m in a 1min57sec mile rate for 2200m. It was yet another arrogant display and he can only improve for the…

Double Time aiming to double up in Marlborough Cup

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Two horses who each had excuses not to win the prelude race should dominate the $25,000 Cabins2U Marlborough Cup today. The second day of the two-day meeting has a logical form line leading through the almost indentical meeting on the grass on Friday. On that occasion Double Time beat Mossdale Ben in the Prelude even though both had few favours. Double Time sat parked for half the race and yet was still too strong, no small performance in this grade, but his biggest challenger Mossdale Ben undid…

Selections | Marlborough

NZHarnessNews

Selections for Marlborough       Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Matt Cross Commentator    Race 111.47am  6 Diedre Franco12 Kowhai Summit8 Signal Hill4 Bevron  Race 212.12pm 1 Melody Arden12 Fredastaire3 Rockcent2 Carrera Kahu  Race 312.37pm 12 Alta Showgirl1 Miley Ace3 Honest Lies11 Chal Vee Power Race 41.02pm 13 Sarasota Sunset14 White Star Orlando9 Judine7 Vincent Vega  Race 51.27pm 6 Eyre I Will3 Our Pegasus Pearl4 Bennie And The Jets2 Ali Lindenny  Race 62.02pm 7 Quicksmart1 Watch That Man10 Midfrew Lucre5 On Report   Race 72.37pm 10 Soviet Star3 He’s A Jackalack11…

Sam Thornley brings up 100 wins

NZHarnessNews

by Jonny Turner It didn’t look great early, but the end result was perfect as Sam Thornley won his 100th race in the sulky in New Zealand at Marlborough on Friday. Muscle Bank overcame a slow beginning when producing an outstanding performance to win for Thornley and trainer Tom Bamford. Thornley was not only thrilled to bring up his milestone victory, he was impressed with his trotter’s big effort to score. “It was a big run because she missed away and she was so far from them.” “When they went…