Author: NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner Sagwitch added to his grand racetrack record when he ran to his 14th career win for trainer Syd Breen at Ascot Park on Wednesday. The nine-year-old relished the sprint conditions of race 9 to score another victory in his eighth season on the track. And the smile on Breen’s face after Sagwitch drove through along the inner to score for driver Mark Hurrell said it all. “I’m as proud as punch, he’s been a good old mate,” Breen said. Sagwitch has been with Breen throughout his 132-start…

By Michael Guerin Trainer Steve Telfer thinks he can still win tonight’s $25,000 Franklin Pacers Country Cup even without his first choice starter. Telfer was to line up Aardie’s Express in the 2700m standing start but after she only travelled home from Christchurch last week he decided to give her more time to recover. “So she will go to a mares race next week and the Queen Of Hearts the following week,” he says of tonight’s key scratching. That still leaves Team Telfer with Fernleigh Cash (20m) and Allamericanlover off…

Please find attached Official Notices for the following recent Regulation amendments: Minor Infringement Regulations Safety Number for Approved Tracks (Riverton) Prohibited Substance Regulations (TCO2)

Harness Racing New Zealand has seen reports highlighting the end of Operation Inca. However we are still waiting for official confirmation that the investigation has come to an end and that charges have been dropped. We are currently seeking that information and confirmation. It has been a challenging time for the industry and once we know more, we may well look to see what else is needed to support our participants and our integrity. In the interim we have no further comment as we believe there may still be outstanding…

Here’s this week’s  Box Seat with hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin.

By Michael Guerin Two-time New Zealand Cup hero Copy That is off to Australia again, but not to race this time. The wonderful pacer missed his shot at a NZ Cup three-peat when he went sore with a knee issue and potential other concerns a few weeks before the Cup but trainer Ray Green says things are looking up. “I am more confident now that he will race again than I was when it first all happened,” says Green. “He has been walking in the cart every day and walks…

By Jonny Turner A familiar sight will be back at Ascot Park racecourse today, and it is not a horse or driver. It is the Koru Care Southland colours, which will return to Southland harness racing meetings starting with today’s quickfire action in Invercargill. The green and white Koru Care Southland silks were a familiar sight on Southland tracks for many seasons, especially when worn by champion reinsman Dexter Dunn. The silks were first worn by Dunn a decade ago, with a sponsor donating to Koru Care Southland at each…

By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s first Trot Slot race is confirmed and already has its first slot filled. The TAB Trot Slot will be run as expected alongside the Race by Grins at Cambridge on April 12 next year for a stake of $575,000, making it the richest trot race ever held in Australasia. It will have eight slots, most of them purchased by the connections of leading trotters so will have an old fashioned sweepstakes race feel to it. The eight slots have been taken by: TAB NZ, Aldebaran…