Craig “The Whale” Thompson looks at Cambridge tonight.
Author: NZHarnessNews
Winton winner sees Williams hit 800
By Jonny Turner Tim Williams couldn’t have been better dressed for his 800th driving win in New Zealand with Aardie B Miki at Winton on Wednesday. Williams weaved a path for the three-year-old to be able to sprint best to seal the milestone victory in the colours of his employer Stonewall Stud. Delighted to score his 800th victory, the reinsman couldn’t think of better colours to notch his milestone victory in. “It’s a big thrill, obviously great to get these colours on they’re a big part of what I do…
Dickie keen to keep hot streak going
By Michael Guerin Top driver Josh Dickie is loving being home and he hopes his successful return steps up a level at Cambridge tonight. Dickie returned to New Zealand officially two weeks ago and has driven four winners already for new bosses Stonewall Stud. He returns to his “first” home track of Cambridge tonight and picks up the drive on last-start Greenlane Cup winner Resolve in the $40,000 Dunstan Horsefeeds Cambridge Flying Stakes, a mobile 2200m in which she is one of only two genuine open class trotters. Resolve has…
News Briefs : January 10
Veteran has career win number 20 Still winning as a 13-year-old Take After Me has been a remarkable horse for the Scotts at Kaiapoi. The dual gaited veteran won the Famous Grouse Hotel Lincoln Trot at Motukarara on Sunday by a nose from Ruthless Lizzie to register his 20th lifetime win in 349 starts. He has won four starts as a pacer and 16 as a trotter. The son of Holmes Hanover is trained by Fred Scott, who races the horse along with wife Jan. Holiday milestones Bringing up the…
Glamour pair delay trans-Tasman trip, Muscle Mountain staying home
By Adam Hamilton Mark Purdon’s Aussie raid has been delayed another week. The champion trainer confirmed he and son Nathan were still focused on chasing Victorian riches with pacing stars Akuta and Don’t Stop Dreaming and had planned to send the pair across to focus on Ballarat Cup night on January 20. Now, the glamour pacing pair won’t arrive in Victoria until after Ballarat. “Don’t Stop Dreaming just didn’t pull up as well as hoped from the last start and needs a bit more time,” Mark Purdon said. “We’re on…
Ryleigh Phelan continues family tradition
by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Following on from grandfather Frank, and her father Scott it’s now Ryleigh Phelan’s turn to make her way in the sport. On Sunday the youngster made a winning debut in a Kidz Kartz race at Cambridge. “I was nervous, I had butterflies,” Ryleigh said, “but it was real fun.” Ryleigh has been driving at club events and the like for two years. But it was only after she turned 10 last week that she was eligible to drive at Kidz Kartz events. Partnered with…
Aussie trip off for Muscle Mountain
By Michael Guerin Star trotter Muscle Mountain will be staying put at least for now. The giant multiple Group 1 winner is back in work after a setback ruled him out of the NZ Trotting Free-For-All on Grand Prix Day at Addington but driver Ben Hope says the intended Australian trip for the Great Southern Star is off. “We wanted to go to Victoria but being out of a work for a while he won’t be ready,” says Hope. “So he will stay here and race in a couple of…
Team Alfeld enjoys “Majestic Sunday”
By Mike Love A winner on debut, Majestic Sunday gave Leeston trainer Murray Alfeld the perfect start to 2024 by taking out the Banks Peninsula Welcome Dave Butts – Raceday Secretary Trot at Motukarara on Sunday. “I’m really happy,” said Alfeld, “he went big. He was well back and I thought he might get third or fourth but he’s just jogged it.” Majestic Sunday began well for driver Colin DeFilippi, and settled three and four back the fence. DeFilippi waited patiently for a gap to present itself up the long…
Two firsts from the weekend’s racing
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Hailing from one of harness racing’s best known and most successful families, Chris and Kimberly Butt produced a notable first at Motukarara yesterday. The two siblings quinellaed race 2, the Bernie Hutton Memorial Pace, both driving five-year-old sons of Sweet Lou in Lord Mudrick and Spirited Lou. “We don’t drive against each other that often,” Kimberly told Harness Unhinged’s Nigel Armstrong post race. “And that is the first time,” she said of their quinella. Their father is three-time New Zealand Cup winning driver…
Dickie lands double at Cambridge
By Brigette Solomon Only recently back from a stint in Australia, Josh Dickie reined a double at Cambridge Raceway yesterday. Both winners were trained by Dickie’s new employers, Steve and Amanda Telfer, the first being Slots in Race 3. The three-year-old colt by Sweet Lou was too good for his rivals powering away to win by a margin of three and a quarter lengths. From his starting draw of seven, Dickie allowed the gelding to work around to the lead and from there he never looked like being beaten. A…