Author: NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner Sarah O’Reilly’s commitment to harness racing paid off when American Me ran to victory at Addington on Friday night. The pacer dived along the passing lane to score in in his first start for the Brent and Tim White stable. O’Reilly drove in nine of the ten races at Winton on Friday afternoon before flying back to Christchurch to drive a further four horses at Addington. It was the first time the junior driver had competed at two meetings in the same day. The situation gave O’Reilly…

By Brigette Solomon The win by Invictus at Alexandra Park on Thursday night was a fitting farewell, as it turns out. A great performer for trainers Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett the victory in the Reharvest Handicap Trot came with some emotion as it was the last start on New Zealand soil for the seven-year-old who now heads to New South Wales to Luke and Belinda McCarthy’s Cobbitty Farm. The Peak gelding has been a consistent contender in the higher rated trotting races in the North Island for the past…

By Jonny Turner Waikouaiti mare Jonique clinched a deserved victory with a tough performance to win one of yesterday’s Winter Rewards Finals at Winton. Boosted stakes saw highly competitive racing amid cold and wet conditions at the last meeting before Southland and Otago’s winter harness racing hiatus. Jonique capped consistent recent form when sustaining a big finish for driver Kerryn Tomlinson. The mare hit the lead early in the run home before fighting off a line up of challengers to score Jonique’s victory continued a successful association between trainer Amber…

By Barry Lichter Auckland racehorse owners John and Lynne Street celebrated a remarkable milestone of 1000 winners when Lincoln River won at Alexandra Park tonight. It was the 573rd harness winner for the Lincoln Farms’ owners and, along with 427 galloping winners, credited them with a tally which only one other person in New Zealand history has officially achieved. Southlander Bill Hazlett won more than 1000 races as an owner until his death in 1978, but only with thoroughbreds. Southlander Bill Hazlett owned an estimated 1015 winners.In his book Tapestry Of…

By Jonny Turner Winners are set to keep winning at Addington on Friday night. Among those who return to the track after recent success is Franco Sinatra who has shown he has all the attributes to take out race 6. The three-year-old has been one of the most progressive horses in Canterbury through winter and autumn for the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety stable. During his run of four wins from just seven starts, the pacer has shown high speed, as well as stamina, which was on full show in his…

By Brigette Solomon He’s regarded as New Zealand’s best pacer in recent history and now the first of Lazarus’ progeny is about to hit the racetrack in this country. Tonight at Alexandra Park Jeremiah (Lazarus – Flyover) will make his debut in race 9, the Auckland Co-op Taxis 300-3000 Mobile pace at 9.17pm for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan. The two-year-old black colt will be the stallion’s first starter in New Zealand. He looked smart when qualifying at Pukekohe last week. “He has plenty of ability but he’s only…

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

Bella heads winner’s list in 2023 With her win at Addington on Friday night, Bella Button has now won the most races of any harness horse in New Zealand this year. Driven by regular pilot Gemma Thornley the six-year-old mare justified her favouritism by winning by three quarters of a length. It was the Mark Jones-trained trotter’s seventh win in 2023, eclipsing the six wins by the unbeaten Millwood Nike and Muscle Mountain. Bella Button has now had eight wins overall, with earnings of $81,329. Williams goes to the dogs…