Author: NZHarnessNews

On behalf of the Board and management, we are pleased to provide the Harness Racing New Zealand 2023/24 Funding Summary [click on this link]. In summary: Harness racing stakes will increase by nearly $5m for the 2023/24 year. The new budget, approved by the Harness Racing New Zealand Board, follows the historic deal between Entain and the TAB, that came into effect on June 1,2023. HRNZ will receive funding of $54.4m next season – a substantial increase on previous levels. Around 71% of that funding will go directly to stakes.…

By Michael Guerin The father-and-son Blanchard stable have half their team racing at Cambridge tonight but their potential best of the night may surprise punters. Peter and Vaughan Blanchard take seven starters to the meeting spread across six of the races so they are in for a busy night. “We only have about 15 horses in work at the moment so this is a lot more than we have taken to the races for a while,” says Vaughan. But while the stable has a strong hand in all three trotting…

Here’s Greg O’Connor and Darrin Williams with the latest Addington News. 

By Adam Hamilton While buzz pacer Leap To Fame chases the biggest win of his career at Albion Park in Queensland on Saturday night, Miracle Mile winner Catch A Wave will make a low-key return to racing 1800kms away at Melton in Victoria. Andy and Kate Gath’s four-year-old steps out for the first time since winning that $1mil Miracle Mile on March 4 at Menangle when he faces just five rivals in the Preux Chevalier free-for-all (2240m). With Leap To Fame’s stunning dominance sparking calls he could be the best…

A new initiative aimed at addressing mental health and wellbeing within New Zealand’s racing industry is underway. A collaboration between Thoroughbred, Harness, and Greyhound racing, implemented by Racing NZ, will see the codes join forces to create an effective and research-driven mental health and suicide prevention programme right across the country. “The three racing codes are united in our vision to make sure we are there to help those associated with our sport and provide ongoing support to them. Our wellbeing initiative is a top priority for us, and I…

A life after racing can lead horses to doing some weird and wonderful things. On Wednesday Woodstone, an 11 win trotter who retired two years ago, will feature on TVNZ’s Seven Sharp as part of a “selection” panel for the women’s Football World Cup that kicks off this Thursday. If the concept sounds familiar it should. During the 2010 World Cup Paul the Octopus became an international sensation when he correctly predicted the winner of 12 out of 14 games. “I looked out my window at home and thought Woody…

By Adam Hamilton  Former classy Kiwi pacer Hot And Treacherous ran a booming race against Leap To Fame last week and has the draw to test the Queensland champ again in Saturday night’s $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake (2680m) at Albion Park. Now in the care of Jack Butler, Hot And Treacherous drew the pole and should be straight behind leader Turn It Up, who will then likely look to take a trail himself. So, Hot And Treacherous, who boasts two wins and three placings in good company since…

By Michael Guerin The trainer of Australasia’s most exciting pacer has made a surprising admission about the races he would most dearly love to win with Leap To Fame. The four-year-old stallion has been stunning during the Queensland winter carnival, thrashing his older rivals in the A$200,000 Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park on Saturday night and he is red hot to repeat that in this Saturday’s Blacks A Fake. While trainer-driver Grant Dixon says his main aim for the season is the A$2.1million Eureka, the new Sydney slot race on…