By Adam Hamilton Leap To Fame’s Inter Dominion fate could be decided in the first 200 metres. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon insists his superstar four-year-old is “the best he’s ever been” heading into Saturday’s race at Albion Park in Brisbane, but he’s wary of yet another tricky barrier draw. Leap To Fame has drawn six, but will come into five if emergency Canfindabettorman doesn’t gain a start. The problem is, his two main dangers Swayzee (three) and Nerano (one), have drawn inside him. So, Dixon knows he must have a serious…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Akuta and co heading across the Tasman
By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s best pacer is set to head to Australia for the first time and he could be taking some heavyweight mates with him. Akuta has had a change of plans and will be set for the Ballarat (January 20) and Hunter Cups (February 3) in Victoria after stopping in at Alexandra Park in Auckland for the $60,000 Franklin Cup on December 31. “We looked at the programmes and there isn’t a great deal for him here in January and February and he can make a lot…
Tact McLeod heads Kite’s drives at Winton
By Jonny Turner Oliver Kite will have to take the good with the bad when combining with a quality book of drives at Winton on Thursday. Kite won’t be lacking horsepower when he links up with six chances, headed by the highly talented Tact McLeod. But being handed a series of tough barrier draws means nothing is likely to come easy for the junior driver. Kite will have to negotiate a path from barrier 1 on the second row for Tact McLeod, who returns to racing in race 10 after…
Selections | Winton
Jonny Turner’s selections for Winton. Race Jonny TurnerRacing Journalist Race 14.03pm 4 Major Envy8 Northview Sweet7 Cock A Hoop3 Ledger’s Maid Race 24.30pm 4 Sonny Jim5 Joeking3 Burning Love2 Boss Jo Race 34.56pm 5 Ultimate Weapon11 Captain Meister4 Pounamu3 Vinchetto Race 45.22pm 5 Miraculous6 Tycoon Banner2 Wehavtime1 Munroe’s Mate Race 55.47pm 3 Superfast7 Livy Desma4 Fireforefiddle8 Franco Huntington Race 66.12pm 7 Ruby Roe8 Flying Ellie5 Remission1 Mallory Maguire Race 76.37pm 13 Hidden Talent4 Hot Saucy Betty8 Sally Lindenny12 Imperial Man Race 87.02pm…
News Briefs : December 13
O’Reilly leading the way at AYDC Champion Kiwi junior driver Sarah O’Reilly is a co-leader after the first night of the 1Equine Australasian Young Drivers’ Championships in Queensland. The Canterbury-based O’Reilly had a win, a third and a fourth in the three heats to accrue 33 points to be on top jointly with Angus Garrard. Her win came with Beach On Fire in Heat 1, paying $17.20. Cambridge junior Zev Meredith is third on 27 points after taking out the third heat with Kash Us Back, while the third Kiwi…
The House wins at Manawatu – five times!
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News desk Going into yesterday’s Manawatu meeting Wilson House thought he was a good show of winning at least a couple of races. He ended up driving a career high five winners and was a nose away from the perfect six wins from six drives. “It was fantastic,” House says, “I thought maybe I’d get two so I was very happy, and all the team performed so well.” In what was his best day in three seasons of driving all of House’s horses were trained…
The Box Seat – December 12
Here’s this week’s Box Seat with hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin.
Grand Prix high acheivers back on home patch at Oamaru today
By Jonny Turner After producing career highlights on Grand Prix day, a couple of local lads will be out to chase more success at Oamaru on Wednesday. In the reasonably early stages of what are sure to be stellar training careers, both Matthew Williamson and Kaleb Bublitz produced their first Group 1 placings on Sunday. Williamson’s Princess Sadie stormed home to take third in the Group 1 Ace Of Hearts, while The Merc gave a great sight while running second for Bublitz in the Group 1 Ace Of Clubs. Williamson…
November’s breeding and ownership winners announced
In a new initiative to highlight those that help keep our sport going Harness Racing New Zealand has decided on a new monthly award for its breeders and owners. All owners and breeders who win a race during the month will be eligible, with a random number generator selecting the two winners. Trophies will be sent to both winners each month. October’s inaugural winners were Benjamin Young, a co-owner of Sailor Boy, and Gavin Turner, who bred, trains and races Sir Monty. And the winners for November are (owner) Matt…
Latest from the trials – December 12
Every week we look at the trials and workouts from right around the country. Who’s impressing and who looks ready to race? Wyndham Workouts Thursday 7th DecemberWeather Fine Track fast Superfast Ronnie (3c Superfast Stuart – Hazel Maud) The Brown trained trotter was solid throughout for Brent Barclay, stepping nicely and trailing two and three deep throughout, challenged leader 400m out and had little trouble getting the upper hand over the final stages. MR:2:12.8, 800m in 63.8, 400m in 31.7. The qualifying time was not electric but the dam won…