Author: NZHarnessNews

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…

By Jonny Turner Expect to see Mid Canterbury trainers Brent and Tim White line up a strong team at Winton on Saturday, rain, hail or shine. The White stable took three runners south on Friday, making it across floodwaters while Southland was in a state of emergency. While heavy downpours and road closures put Saturday’s meeting in some doubt, a track inspection and the reopening of roads has meant the meeting will be largely unaffected by the recent wild weather. The White stable’s four runners include the big striding trotter,…

Saturday’s Winton Harness Racing Club meeting will go ahead as planned, despite this week’s adverse weather in the deep south. There’s been massive rainfall in recent days, with a state of emergency declared in Southland and parts of Otago. Queenstown for instance had its wettest 24 hours (87mm) this century. An inspection has been made of the track, and it has been given the all clear by the Racing Integrity Board (RIB) who have stated it is in a good condition. But there are a number of road closures throughout…

By Michael Guerin Trainer Steven Reid has come up with a simple plan to win tonight’s $110,000 Caduceus Club Classic with Coastal Babe as Group 1 racing returns to Alexandra Park. “I am going to give Matty (White, driver) the reins and tell him to do whatever he wants,” says Reid. While that might sound a little vague heading into the first huge race of the juvenile fillies pacing season, Reid says it is too early in Coastal Babe’s career for her to have a definitive racing style or know…

by Don Rae Behind The Breeds is a new series where breeding enthusiast Don Rae takes a deep dive into the pedigree of some of today’s trotters and pacers. In this edition he casts his eye on North Canterbury and North Otago. The North Canterbury Owners and Breeders trials on 13 September showcased two potentially smart young trotters to swell the ranks of promising juveniles. Pasternak (2 B g Volstead – Lara Lass trained by Ross Houghton) and Lil Whip (2 B f Father Patrick – Eilish Aimee trained by…

Come along and support the Blue September Campaign with a fun night of Bingo at Spectators on Tuesday 26th September.  $25 for each ticket includes your Bingo cards and nibbles. Contact courtney@hrnz.co.nz to book your spot today – tickets selling fast and bookings close today (Thursday 21st)

By Michael Guerin A moment of weakness could lead to a Group 3 win for Tony Herlihy at Addington on Thursday night. The all-time champion driver flies south today to partner Walkinonsunshine in the $45,000 Macca’s Lodge Sires’ Stakes Classique for the three-year-old trotting fillies, not the sort of return trip you would usually expect Herlihy to be making for an outside drive. He drove Walkinonsunshine at Alexandra Park when she won the Great Northern Trotting Oaks and then when she finished second in the Northern Trotting Derby in the…

Big and exciting changes have been confirmed for the country’s juvenile trotters and pacers. The new initiative, a partnership between Harness Racing New Zealand and Entain, is all about encouraging 2YO racing, and rewarding both breeders and owners. Terms and conditions have now been agreed for a new 2YO Bonus series, as has the tentative 2YO race programme from January 1, 2024. The new bonus scheme will see payments of $12,000 for any 2YO Trotter or Pacer winning his or her first race in a 2YO only race, with $8000…