by Rob Courtney North Canterbury trainer-owner-breeder Ken Odgers has been licenced to train standardbreds since 1983 and the win of Prima Donna on Sunday at Addington was his first training success since 2009. But if you think he has been idle during this time, one only has to listen to his ‘back story’ to realise this is far from the reality for the now 67-year-old. Only ever doing a few at a time, including all aspects of the training, Odgers has clearly been a ‘seller’ of his stock over a…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Vale Ken Dixon
After being involved in training for more than 50 years, Ken Dixon has died in Christchurch after a battle with cancer. Responsible for the development of top class horses including Makati Galahad and Whale Of A Tale, Dixon was originally a Winton sheep farmer and very much a hobby trainer before retiring and moving north to Prebbleton just outside Christchurch around 17 years ago. After starting out in the 1970s he had 57 training successes, and drove 27 winners. His last winner was Sheer Class at Invercargill in 2017 when…
White thrilled to win amateur title
By Mike Love, Harness News Desk Oamaru farrier and track worker Barry White has been successful in the 2023 New Zealand Amateur driving championships over the weekend, labelling it a career highlight. “It’s quite a thrill. Leading into it you can only dream of getting enough points, but to then go on and win a couple of heats and then a third – I’m pretty rapt.” White told Harness Unhinged’s Nigel Armstrong. White didn’t score any points in the opening held at Cambridge on Thursday night, but won with Shards…
Deny Everything back in winning form
By Jonny Turner Deny Everything completed an epic journey back to the winner’s circle when scoring at Wyndham on Saturday. The Mark Jones trained seven-year-old powered back into winning form in his third start back from an 18 month break from racing when taking out the Forbury Park meeting’s feature pace. Deny Everything was a breakout star early in his career, winning five races in a row before going amiss. The journey back to the race has been far from straight forward according to his breeder and owner Damian Love.…
Buckland-Stevens may be “sleeper” at Addington
by Mike Love, Harness News Desk Jo-ann Buckland-Stevens will be looking to cause an upset today at Addington as the New Zealand amateur drivers’ championship wraps up. Buckland-Stevens currently sits fourth on the table, five points off current leader Michelle Northcott. “The heats today are quiet even. My two drives both have good chances if they get the right run,” said Buckland-Stevens. Buckland-Stevens drives Judgement Bay ($10.00FF) for Leeston trainer Chris McDowell, in heat three (Race one on the card). “He’s been a little bit unlucky in his recent starts.…
Jimmy Carter spearheads Williamson challenge at Wyndham
By Jonny Turner A drop in class after taking on smart types at Addington is why Jimmy Carter is the pick of Phil Williamson’s team at Wyndham on Saturday. The master trotting trainer takes four runners to the Forbury Park meeting with three of them squaring off against each other in the meeting’s feature trot. Majestic Love, Our Golden Kenny and Jimmy Carter go head-to-head, with the trio rated the top three favourites for race 5. The market has the three Williamson runners evenly matched, but their trainer thinks it…
White makes his move in amateur drivers’ championship
By Jonny Turner It didn’t pan out as expected, but the result was perfect for Barry White in heat two of the New Zealand Amateur Drivers Championship at Addington on Friday night. White went to second equal halfway through the competition when Shards Fury kept winding up wide on the track to dramatically turn around his driver’s fortunes. White had to settle with last placing in the first heat of the championship at Cambridge on Thursday night after his charge broke in the middle stages. Though heat two didn’t go…
Ben Hope has first Australian win
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A brilliantly-judged drive has seen Ben Hope secure his first success in Australia. The talented junior driver-trainer has been in Australia for a fortnight or so now, based at the very successful stables run by ex-pat Kiwi Brent Lilley at Bolinda, north of Melbourne. So it was only fitting that Hope should get his first win with the Lilley-trained Kyvalley Paint in the Ballarattrottingclub.com.au Mobile Trot at Ballarat last night, upsetting at $20.60 and $3.80. Hope sat parked off with a wide draw…
Memorable wins for Jefferies and Northcott at Cambridge
by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A first and a 21st highlighted the ten race programme at Cambridge last night, with Sophie Jefferies and Michelle Northcott both producing milestone wins. Northcott had a drama-filled win in the opening heat of the New Zealand amateur drivers’ championship. Driving Whooshka she locked wheels with Hey Miki Denario as they approached the 800 metre mark. For a tense few seconds it was touch and go for the favourite but Northcott, an accomplished jockey and driver, managed to negotiate her way out of…
Todd heads back to happy hunting ground
by Jonny Turner Canterbury trainer Regan Todd has set himself a task tough at Addington on Friday – to emulate the success he’s already had at the raceway this month. On June 9 and 11 (Friday and Sunday) he took three horses to the races, winning with all three. Magic Dash was among Todd’s winning treble, with the trotter capping excellent form this time in with a strong victory. With the way the four-year-old has progressed since his win, Magic Dash looks a decent chance of doubling up. “I have…