Author: NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Star northern three-year-old Merlin is nearly ready to resume his battles with Don’t Stop Dreaming even after missing a workout last weekend. But he faces going into the next round of their arch rivalry without a race under his belt whereas Don’t Stop Dreaming will be back on the track at Addington this Friday. Merlin was down to trial at Pukekohe on Saturday but senior trainer Barry Purdon opted to wait a week. “There was nothing wrong with him we just thought a good hit out this…

In the latest in his one-on-one series Greg O’Connor talks to Malcolm Shinn. 

By Jonny Turner When the fastest horse in the race got the sweetest trip, there was only going to be one result in the Group 3 D G Jones Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup. Despite starting from a 30m back mark, Olivia Thornley found the perfect sit one-one for Oscar Bonavena and he took full advantage of it when running away with the 2810m grass track feature. Thornley should have been laughing to herself throughout the running when settling in such a sweet spot with her Group One winning star and…

Now that many of the very best horses are coming out to play we are regularly updating what’s happening at the trials right around the country. Here’s the latest installment. The Rangiora Trials Wed 20th September(Weather Fine but windy / Track Fast) Tinkerbelle (2f What The Hill – Belle Galleon) The Mark Jones trained half sister to top trotter Stent led and then did enough to hold out Bounce N Beyond with 24L to the rest. MR:2.10, 800m in 60.1, 400m in 28.6. The latter was good enough to beat…

By Adam Hamilton Trainer Brent Lilley warned the small field could make it tricky and that’s just how it turned out for star trotting mare Queen Elida at Melton last night. But, as she has so often, the five-year-old daughter of Love You found a way to win, albeit in the very last stride and by a whisker in the Chris Howe Trotters’ free-for-all (2240m). Another classy former Kiwi Mufasa Metro led and dictated terms, while Queen Elida had to sit parked until some luck came driver Chris Alford’s way…

By Jonny Turner A smarter and stronger Captain Tom showed he is ready to return to top-level racing when scoring a fresh up win at Winton on Saturday. The three-year-old cruised away from a hardy bunch of rivals to score an impressive win in his first race day outing since May. Always an immense talent, Captain Tom showed improved ringcraft in his return for trainer Alister Black and driver Williamson. Those manners should prove a vital asset when Captain Tom has another crack at Group 1 level next month. “He…

By Jonny Turner The scratching of two-time defending champion Mataderos means its advantage Purdon in the Group Three D G Jones Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup. Mark and Nathan Purdon will return their star trotter Oscar Bonavena to racing in the 2810m staying test while Michael Purdon lines up the in-form Mystic Max. All Stars trainer Mark Purdon has conceded that Oscar Bonavena will benefit from having his first race since May, but as the only Group 1 winner in the field the seven-year-old must go close on class alone. Oscar…

Jonny Turner’s selections for Motukarara today.              Race   Jonny TurnerRacing Journalist  Race 112.30pm 4 Love Walked In7 Muscle Sass5 Opawa Peak2 Tilthesunsets    Race 212.57pm 1 Rakero Scotty8 Dean James6 Kiwi Lightning10 Macy Black  Race 31.22pm 2 Major Henry10 Sailor Boy12 Alta Showgirl18 Take The Deal  Race 41.49pm 11 Verducci6 Terror Ma Sue16 Seacracka7 A Guinness Rock  Race 52.14pm 1 Crazy N Love8 Crown The Moment3 Monarch Prince14 Natives Inferno  Race 62.39pm 2 Flyaway6 King Arthur14 Expressive Love12 Baltimore Jill  Race 73.04pm 7 Moonlite…