Author: NZHarnessNews

Canterbury reinsman Ben Hope capped off his junior drivers career in style with Homebush Lad winning the Reefton cup and creating harness racing history on December 30th. He joins the open driver ranks from today and will be looking to begin that part of his career well with a decent book of drives at Rangiora. Hope wrapped up his junior career with 223 wins and over $2.8 million in stakes, including four Group One’s behind superstar trotter Muscle Mountain for parents Greg & Nina Hope. “The junior career has been…

by Michael Guerin Don’t Stop Dreaming may have sealed his open class credentials at Alexandra Park on Sunday night but that doesn’t mean he will become a big-time regular just yet. Because co-trainer Nathan Purdon says while Don’t Stop Dreaming is good enough to race in a race like the open class A$500,000 Hunter Cup in a month they will target four-year-old races while they can. Don’t Stop Dreaming arrived in the big time on the last day of his three-year-old career, given a beautiful run by Tony Herlihy he…

Woodend beach trainers Greg and Nina Hope created history yesterday when Homebush Lad won the Rosco Contractors Reefton Cup. He is the first horse to have won 3 consecutive Reefton cups. Driver Ben Hope was thrilled with the 9 year old Mach Three geldings performance. “He’s a really cool horse. When he’s on song he’s a lovely horse to drive. To get 3 Reefton Cups is really cool.” Homebush Lad began well from his 20m handicap. Settling 5th on the markers early in a strung out field, Hope waited patiently…

by Michael Guerin Champion trainer Mark Purdon is adamant Don’t Stop Dreaming is ready to step up to the big time at Alexandra Park tonight but whether than means beating stablemate Akuta is another matter. Don’t Stop Dreaming races in open class for the first time in tonight’s $60,000 Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup, the highlight of a New Year’s Eve meeting far smaller than it used to be at The Park. One of our two star three-year-olds this season (alongside Merlin), Don’t Stop Dreaming clearly has the motor for open…

The slushy track was no problem for Sharkie’s Girl with her dominant win last night in Race 3, the Happy New Year From Woodlands Stud Mobile Pace. Trained by John Dickie, the mare was rated perfectly by Stephanie Burley in the event for Junior Drivers. From a starting draw of 5, Burley sent Sharkie’s Girl forward to lead where she remained throughout before kicking away from the field to win by 5 and 3 quarter lengths in a time of 2.42. “I was quietly confident as I thought she was…

Class prevailed when Alta Meteor bounced back to winning form in the Motukarara Christmas Cup on Friday. Driver Tim Williams took no chances with the Stonewall Stud pacer, parking out over the last 800m of the event before the three-year-old ran away to score. Williams was thrilled with the performance, which looks to have booked Alta Meteor a trip north to the upcoming Nelson meeting. “Speaking with Mandy (Telfer) after the race, we might go for one of the days at Nelson next,” Williams said. “He will let us know…

They are always the colours to follow over the West Coast circuit, and today at Reefton punters can find some value in the Woodend Beach trainers Greg and Nina Hope team as they line up six solid chances. Driver Ben Hope talks us through their chances runner by runner. Race two Racingmissgracie ($8.50FF) comes in fresh, but with good standing start manners will look to race handy. “Her trials have been okay. I think today’s run will do her the world of good.” Race four Juliette Shard ($21.00FF), the well…

Trainer John Dickie is daring to dream he can end the year with three huge wins, two on the track and one off it. Dickie has had an up and down 2023 with his stable star Old Town Road, who at his best has placed at group 1 level in Australia and finished second in the $1million Race by Grins but has suffered an array of issues and bad luck that have made wins hard to come by. Dickie believes he has the real Old Town Road returning at Alexandra…

A fine effort in the Group One New Zealand Derby looks like great form for Alta Meteor to take to the Motukarara Christmas Cup on Friday. The Stonewall Stud pacer come into the 2810m feature after flashing home for fifth from a tough draw on Grand Prix Day. Alta Meteor looks well-placed, stepping back in class in Friday’s Motukarara Christmas Cup despite starting from a 20m handicap. “He went through a bit of a lull for a while there, but just lately he seems to be getting back to his…

by Mike Love Michael Eyre was an impressive maiden winner at Westport yesterday when he won the Sika Pace for Charring Cross trainers Jason and Ian Thomas. Co-trainer Ian Thomas was not surprised by the 4 year old He’s Watching gelding’s effort. “It was very good. He’d been working well before we came over.” Michael Eyre showed brilliant stand start manners to lead early with driver John Dunn. Dunn was able to dictate throughout before kicking away to win by one and a half lengths from My Skatjie, pacing the…