Author: NZHarnessNews

The age group finalists have been found for the NZB Standardbred 2024 Harness Racing New Zealand awards. The “Top Horse” contenders include eight categories, for both the trotters and pacers. In some categories the finalists have been short-listed to four while in the 3YO Pacing Colts and Geldings, for instance, there are as many as nine. For the first time Australian horses who have excelled on this side of the Tasman are eligible. This year that includes the likes of Renwick Farms Dominion Trot winner Just Believe and unbeaten superstar…

Harness racing turnovers for the busy Christmas – New Year period have seen a more than three per cent rise on last year. Latest figures from Entain show that turnover on the 10 meetings between Cambridge on Christmas Eve and Omakau on January 2 was 3.4 per cent up on the corresponding time the previous year, with the number of individuals betting on harness racing up 5 per cent. “It’s been a good time for our sport, we’ve seen some huge crowds at places like Central Otago and Motukarara and…

The 2024-25 Seddon Districts Bob Rochford Memorial Trotters’ Series is nearing its halfway point, with two more meetings at Nelson this week. Targetting R51-70 trotters, the 10-race series being held around the top half of the South Island started at Kaikoura in November and will go through to Reefton in March. After four legs so far three trotters,  High Step, Masterly, and Premium Player, are at the top of the leaderboard  and have already qualified for the $30,000 final at Addington on March 21. High Step booked her place by…

By Jonny Turner  The wheels were far from wobbly as brothers Fitzthebill and Winnyzbak scored back-to-back wins at Cromwell yesterday for their passionate group of owners. Older brother Fitzthebill started the winning run for The Wobbly Wheel Syndicate before Winnyzbak won the Shannon Farm Cromwell Cup just a matter of minutes later. Both pacers are trained by former Waikouaiti horseman Andrew Faulks, now based at Burnham. And Waikouaiti is where The Wobbly Wheel’s Syndicate’s outstanding Cromwell success can be traced back to as Fitzthebill and Winnyzbak’s dam, Ferry Glide, was…

By Brigette Solomon  Junior driver Harrison Orange had another successful day bringing up a winning driving double with Michael House-trained runners at Otaki’s grass track meeting yesterday. “It was really good to get another double, today’s was probably more satisfying because both won outright whereas Son Of Patrick was promoted up on Thursday,” said Orange. Orange’s first win of the day came when Fabricate took out the Kidz Kartz 19th January @ Otaki Mobile Pace. In a well rated drive, Fabricate found the lead easily where she remained throughout, only…

The four finalists for the ‘Stevie Golding at Harcourts – People’s Choice’ Best Moment of the 2024 Season have been found and now it is time to have your say as to what the best moment was for the season. The finalists are:– Samantha Ottley becoming the first female driver to drive 100 winners in a 12 month season– Tom Bamford’s first Group 1 win with Rakero Rocket in The Christian Cullen– Crystal Hackett’s first Group 1 win on Mach Shard in the Group 1 Taylor Mile paying over $150…