With The Coalman winning his fourth race at Addington last Thursday night Rob Courtney profiles his owner-breeder, and reveals how the horse got its name. by Rob Courtney Like many of his generation, Kaiapoi born and bred Craig McConchie, owner of The Coalman, was taken to the races often as a young fella by his family. McConchie remembers vividly a photo proudly hanging in the family garage of his father holding onto champion Highland Fling. “Dad (The ‘Cobbler) had a shoe shop in Rangiora and through those community connections, as…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Aussie News – July 16
By Adam Hamilton Kiwi-owned mare Amore Vita added to her already impressive CV with arguably the biggest win of her career in last night’s $150,000 Group 1 Garrards The Golden Girl (1660m) at Albion Park. In a hotly contested feature, Amore Vita was strong and classy enough to sustain a three-wide run around the field from last without cover and still snatch victory in a blazing 1min50.5sec mile rate for 1660m. It was an all Kiwi finish with Bob Butt’s Manhattan using the sprint lane from behind the leader to…
Leap To Fame goes next level in Sunshine Sprint
By Adam Hamilton It is a rare and special horse to step straight into the open-class big league and that’s exactly what Leap To Fame did last night. Grant Dixon’s pacing sensation made light of a wide draw and unsuitably short 1660m trip to blow his rivals away yet again, this time in the $200,000 Group 1 Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park. The only thing that matched Leap To Fame’s dominance was the brave, daring and brilliant driver from Dixon. “I’m super proud of him. He had to overcome a…
Franco Messi O’Reilly’s top drive at Addington
By Mike Love, Harnes News Desk New Zealand’s leading junior driver Sarah O’Reilly will be out to extend her lead in the junior drivers premiership today with a fairly even book of drives at Addington. O’Reilly is currently sitting on 43 winners for the season, and has all but skedaddled from her nearest rival Carter Dalgety, who is sitting in second place on the table with 29 winners for the season. Of her six drives today, O’Reilly rates her Ashburton employees Brent & Tim White trained Franco Messi ($2.00FF) as…
Plenty of Kiwi interest in big night at Albion Park
By Adam Hamilton This time last year young Kiwi horseman Jack Trainor snared one of his biggest wins when Town Echo caused a massive upset in the Group 1 Golden Girl at Albion Park. Trainor returns to “The Creek” to defend his crown on Saturday night, but with two different mares – former Kiwi pair Braeview Kelly and B K Swy. While he trained and drove Town Echo to win as a despised $81 outsider last year, Trainor has given the reins to young gun Cam Hart aboard his best…
Herlihy and Poutama star with dual victories
By Brigette Solomon Doubles to Tony Herlihy and Andre Poutama highlighted last night’s action at Alexandra Park. Herlihy went into the meeting with a strong book of drives, and didn’t take long to salute, with three-year-old trotter Luby Lill winning Race 2. After stepping away quietly Luby Lill settled four back the fence before the leader Elle Bee Jay broke causing inside runners to move off the fence allowing Herlihy to slip into the trail. Luby Lill moved to the parked position with 1200m to go before Aldebaran Allblack came…
Spy Da Moment back in winner’s circle
By Mike Love, Harness News Desk It was 23 months ago to the day since Spy Da Moment last saluted the judge. Last night at Addington the 10-year-old Monarchy gelding recorded his sixth win from 54 starts. He has now amassed over $80,000 in stakes for connections. “He’s racing really well. He deserved that win,” says Leeston trainer-driver Katie Cox. “When we got around to parked he was travelling quite good. I thought there might be something to slingshot us at the end – as he can pull up and…
Herlihy in for busy night at Alexandra Park
by Brigette Solomon The country’s most successful driver ever Tony Herlihy looks poised to add to his tally at Alexandra Park tonight. He has seven drives in all. Of the six runners from his Papakura stables the first is Luby Lill in Race 2, who will look to go one better after running third and second from her two starts this campaign. With three runners in Race 3, Herlihy drives Jethro Bodine, who is fresh up this preparation but has shown ability when running second at first start in February.…
Southland raiders gear up for Addington
by Mike Love, Harness News Desk Southland trained horses will look to raid the nest at headquarters tonight. With the season wrapped up in the south, Addington can expect a few visits from Southland trained runners in the coming weeks. Ryal Bush trainer Brett Gray is one of those, as he takes two runners on the road. The first of those is maiden trotter Rewiri Hill ($8.00FF) who will be looking to maintain his recent steady Southern form in Race one. The four-year-old Muscle Hill gelding draws the ace in…
Matariki mental health fund-raiser this Friday
A special harness racing-themed fund-raiser for mental health will be held in Christchurch this Friday. The Matariki Day luncheon and auction will be held at the Papanui Club, with a host of autographed sports memorabilia up for sale and a line up of high profile guest speakers that includes Mark Purdon, John Dunn, Blair Orange and Sam Ottley. All proceeds will go to two well-known mental health advocates, Craig “Wiggy” Wiggins, and Salvation Army racetrack support chaplain Andrew McKerrow. “They are both doing exceptional work in the mental health field…