By Jonny Turner Though the trotters are long gone from Forbury Park, the locals can still claim victory in the revived Dunedin Trotters Cup at Wingatui on Friday. The dust has been wiped off the trophy for the feature event, which will be back up for grabs after a hiatus. Carrying Group 2 status in its prime, the return of the Dunedin Trotters Cup will carry a $20,000 stake and be run over 2200m under handicap conditions. With horse numbers in the Dunedin region having free-fallen in the months following…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Young delighted with Lady of the Light ahead of Northern Breeders’ Stakes
By Michael Guerin Lady Of The Light has decided her own tactics for tonight’s $40,000 Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes at Alexandra Park. Because trainer Jeremy Young says her form and work dictate she tries to lead and stay in front of the other favourites Aardie’s Express and Manhattan in the mare’s Group 3 over 2200m. The race may be the lead-up to next Friday’s Queen Of Hearts but Pukekohe trainer Young says that doesn’t mean Lady Of The Light should duck for cover and try and conserve her energy…
Millwood Nike shock withdrawal from Grand Prix day
By Michael Guerin Champion filly Millwood Nike is out of Sunday’s Tennant Engineering New Zealand Pacing Oaks with her immediate future in doubt. One of the biggest drawcards on the massive Grand Prix day at Addington, the hot favourite was scratched on Thursday morning after she was found to have a swollen tendon, with co-trainer Mark Purdon hoping it is from a paddock knock. “We will know more after we get it scanned,” says Purdon. The setback means not only will Millwood Nike miss her shot at the Oaks and…
Butcher assesses his chances at Cambridge
by Brigette Solomon David Butcher is always one to follow on his home track and lines up a number of good chances at Cambridge Raceway tonight. But the Waikato-based trainer-driver is leaning more towards place chances with his runners, rather than outright winners. The first of Butcher’s starters is Changealot in Race 3, the Dunstan Salute Mobile Pace over 2200m. “He’s got a good draw so with a good trip and a bit of luck he’s a place chance” says Butcher. Romeo Foxtrot, a strong winner a fortnight ago at…
Can Not As Promised do a Swayzee at Addington?
By Adam Hamilton Will there be two successful Aussie raids at Addington in less than a month? Swayzee set the tone with his powerhouse NZ Cup win on November 14, when he became just the second Aussie-trained pacer since My Lightning Blue in 1987 to win the iconic race. Now top young trotter Not As Promised gets his turn. His Queensland-based trainer Graham Dwyer already feels like a winner. Dwyer has been in New Zealand since last Thursday with Not As Promised, who is one of the favourites for Sunday’s…
Trotter of the year title at stake at Sunday’s Grand Prix meeting
By Michael Guerin Oscar Bonavena may have been handed a shot at a most unlikely Trotter of the Year title at Addington on Sunday. There wouldn’t have been a day in 2023 that Muscle Mountain hasn’t been considered our best trotter and he still is but he will now miss Sunday’s $110,000 Livamol NZ Trotting Free-For-All after a slight setback and won’t race again this year. He goes to the paddock the winner of eight of 12 starts including two Group 1s in 2023, which encapsulates the harness racing season…
Ottley first to 700 driving wins
By Mike Love New Zealand’s most successful female driver Samantha Ottley says she is feeling “very thankful” after bringing up her 700th driving success at Methven yesterday. It was in the Hekeao Feed Company Trot when she steered the Kevin Fairbairn-trained Holly Highlander to a narrow victory, beating Sunny Louis by a nose. “It’s a pretty cool achievement to have next to my name,” said Ottley. “It was good to bring it up with Kevin (Fairbairn) and Wendy (Nordqvist) who have been a big supporter of mine. I’ve driven for…
Chanelle Dickie talks of her love of horses – and the tears when they go
A well known figure in harness racing and equestrian circles, Chanelle Dickie has featured in a Radio New Zealand show about Harness Racing New Zealand’s rehoming programme, HERO. To hear what she has to say click here
Latest from the trials – December 4
Every week we look at the trials and workouts from right around the country. Who’s impressing and who looks ready to race? Pukekohe Workouts Friday 1st DecemberWeather Fine Track fast Prince Miki (2g Always B Miki – Jubilee Princess) The Telfer-trained runner got back in the five horse qualifying field, still had plenty to do 400m out, made up a ton of ground in the straight to finish third less than 3L from winner/stablemate Major Secret who led throughout. MR:2:02.2, 800m in 58.7, 400m in 29.1. His last 400m would…
Queen Elida looking to bounce back at IDs
By Adam Hamilton Star Kiwi-owned trotting mare Queen Elida can bounce-back from a shock opening round Brisbane Inter Dominion defeat in Tuesday’s second round of heats. Trainer Brent Lilley suspects his stable star “probably tied-up a bit” when she was surprisingly run down by emerging Victorian trotter Plymouth Chubb in the second of last Friday night’s trotting heats. Queen Elida looked all over a winning rounding the final bend when she sailed away from her rivals, but stand-in driver Cam Hart got Plymouth Chubb into clear air and he blasted…