As racing hots up right around the country we look at who is impressing at the trials. Auckland Trotting Club Workouts @ Pukekohe Raceway- Thursday 3 October Race 6- Double Parked (3g Downbytheseaside- Mockingjay) Tr- AG Herlihy Resuming after one race start when finishing second at Alexandra Park in May behind the talented Always A Porsche (now the winner of 4 of his 8 starts to date). Settled second last of the five runners for trainer/driver Tony Herlihy before working around to lead with half of the heat remaining.…
Author: NZHarnessNews
It’s Williamson vs Williamson in Southern Trotting Oaks
By Jonny Turner Matthew Williamson is preparing to unleash one of Princess Sadie’s key weapons in the Dancinginthedark M Southern Trotting Oaks. The pair have the daunting task of trying to take down superstar filly Empire City in the Ascot Park feature. Empire City is set to start a red-hot favourite after beating nearly all of the rivals she clashes with on Thursday in her first spring outing at Addington last month. With blazing gate speed and having drawn in barrier 5 on Thursday, Princess Sadie looks to get her…
Eight chances left to qualify for Golden Gait
With around five weeks to go, time is running out for those trying to qualify for the brand new $1m Golden Gait series at Alexandra Park on December 20. Ten races will be held on the night, five pacing and five trotting, each worth $100,000. In both gaits, there will be one 2YO and 3YO race as well as three ratings races for the 4YO and older horses. To be eligible horses must have raced at least six times at the Park during the qualifying period (January 1 – December…
Age group numbers prompt extra races at Addington and Oamaru
An influx of two and three-year-olds has prompted a re-jig of races at both Addington Raceway on Friday and Oamaru on Sunday. “We had a total of 72 two-year-old pacers and trotters nominated in the South Island this week,” says Harness Racing New Zealand’s new Head of Racing and Wagering Matt Peden, “demand has essentially exceeded supply.” “But it’s a great problem to have.” To accommodate the numbers three new races have programmed across the two meetings. At Addington on Friday there were always going to be three Listed NZ…
News Briefs : October 9
Milestones for both Ray Green and Maurice McKendry, two good three-year-olds on the move, and a dog naming competition all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Double whammy in win Sugar Ray Lincoln produced two milestones with his win at Alexandra Park last Friday. The victory gave Ray Green 500 training successes and was driving win number 3400 for Maurice McKendry. Maurie Mac, as he’s known, has had a quieter than usual year with just eight wins in 2024. He is the country’s second most successful driver ever, 285…
Jason Teaz brings up the ton at Cambridge
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk By his own admission Jason Teaz isn’t one to get too nostalgic or sentimental. But at Cambridge last night he trained his 100th winner, acknowledging it was a “pretty big achievement” and one worth celebrating. He brought up the milestone with Always B Charlie, who led all the way in the Christmas At The Raceway Tickets On Sale Now Mobile Pace for driver Peter Ferguson, before clearing out to win by three lengths. “There was a time when I thought I wouldn’t even…
The Box Seat – October 8
Check out this week’s The Box Seat with Matt Cross and Greg O’Connor.
Gatecrasher set to make amends at Addington
By Mike Love Midweek racing returns to Addington, with the first of three October meetings on today. The eight race programme will start at 4.31pm. In Race 3, the Downbytheseaside Making A Splash Mobile Pace over 1980m Ohoka trainer Trent Yesberg is confident that from the ace draw his four-year-old Bettors Delight gelding Gatecrasher ($3.00FF) can turn his form around. Things didn’t pan out too well last time at Timaru on September 29 – but Yesberg has rectified some issues. “We blame it on the tongue tie. He managed to…
Father Time heading for THE ASCENT
A winner of his last three races, Father Time is the latest trotter to be confirmed for THE ASCENT at Addington Raceway on Show Day. The Father Patrick three-year-old has been snapped up by Hope Racing (Greg and Nine Hope) who bought a slot in the $500,000 race. The Woodend-based couple have had enormous success, especially with trotters over the years, headlined by multiple Group 1 winners Muscle Mountain and Monbet. Trained by Kevin Townley and bred by Townley’s Tavistock Breeding Ltd, Father Time has had four wins in 15…
Mighty Logan makes Renwick Farms Dominion Trot field in latest rankings
In-form trotter Mighty Logan has been the most significant mover in this week’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and Renwick Farms Dominion Trot rankings. The Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained son of Creatine secured his third win in four starts when taking out the Breckon Farms Handicap Trot at Addington last Thursday. He goes from 17th to 12th, and most importantly inside the 15-horse cut-off for the $400,000 Group 1 Dominion Trot at Addington Tuesday, November 12. Mr Love has also improved, up two places to 13th after finishing third in the same race…