Online Licence Renewals for the 2023/24 licensing season 1 Aug 2023 – 31 July 2024 are now open (due date 30 June 2023) You can renew your licence online via your My HRNZ login on the HRNZ website or on the HRNZ Infohorse App on your mobile phone, download from the App Store or Play Store. If you need to supply a medical clearance, please complete your online renewal application and submit the medical once completed. If you would like help completing your online renewal please contact Maria Harris, details…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Peter Baken – one of harness racing’s more colourful characters
By Rob Courtney Every sport has its personalities and one of the most identifiable figures in Canterbury harness racing is (and has been for sometime) Peter Baken, known to many across the country as ‘rabbit’. From administrators, trainers and drivers to fellow owners, there wouldn’t be many harness enthusiasts who didn’t recognise Baken with his dapper wardrobe and immaculate accessories including ‘the hat’. One only has to spend time in the company of the man to sense his passion and commitment to harness racing and his energy levels and…
BYO change welcomed by racing clubs
Small harness racing clubs are welcoming a recent change to the country’s drinking laws. The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Exemption for Race Meetings) Amendment Bill passed its third reading in Parliament last week. “It will mean race-goers and punters can take a bottle of wine or beer to the races at clubs with three or fewer meetings in a calendar year,” says the Bill’s backer, National’s Racing spokesperson and Rangitikei MP Ian McKelvie. “This Bill eliminates any ambiguity about the legality of BYO at race meetings.” “Rural clubs in…
Sam Ottley has history-making win at Addington
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk After having the perfect start to her driving career 15 years ago, Sam Ottley is now the most successful female driver in New Zealand. The 32-year-old steered Takemybreathaway to victory at Addington yesterday to register her 678th career success, overtaking Cambridge trainer-driver Nicky Chilcott. “It’s been a good old battle with Nicky and I’m pleased to have got one ahead ahead of her,” Ottley told Harness Unhinged’s Nigel Armstrong post race. “It was my goal at the start of the season ….so to…
Aussie News – June 11
By Adam Hamilton Brilliant Kiwi-owned mare Queen Elida just keeps clocking-up the wins. The Brent Lilley-trained star toyed with her rivals again to win last night’s Carlotta’s Pride free-for-all (1720m) at Melton. It was her sixth win from 10 starts this season and took her career record to 42 starts for 24 wins, 13 placings and $510,285. In contrast to her preferred sit-sprint style, driver Chris Alford happily parked outside the leader and Queen Elida was simply too classy and fast in a dash home of 57.1 and 28.3sec at…
Selections | Addington
Trottech’s selections for Addington today. Race TrottechForm Analyst Race 112.58pm 8 Classie Linc6 Olive Cook1 Valynda7 Maximilian Race 21.23pm 4 Krackaling2 Eyre I Will6 Racey Krusa9 Boyz Invasion Race 31.48pm 6 Fernz Goldy1 Reformed10 Atomic Traveller11 Big Mama Morris Race 42.13pm 3 Rockenroll Graduate4 Don Juan13 The Craic2 Searing Light Race 52.38pm 7 Crown The Moment10 Bet N Win13 Curator9 Spiritinthesky Race 63.10pm 12 Archie4 Fernleigh Blackbird9 Arizonawildcat10 Off The Edge Race 73.41pm 3 Te Rapa6 Magic Dash7 Brother Love9 Wynberg…
New role for Michael House at Addington
by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk There’ll be both familiar and unfamiliar names in Sunday’s amateur driving race at Addington. High profile trainer Michael House has just taken out his amateur driver’s licence and will drive one of his own horses, Valynda in the Davey Butt Right Now Mobile Pace. The race will kick start the nine race card – the Bob Butt Racing Stables Race Day. Also in the opening race is visiting Australian driver Brad Peisley, who will drive Olive Cook. He’ll be making his New Zealand…
Sweet relief for sidelined O’Reilly
By Mike Love, Harness News Desk Sweet Belle provided a much needed pick me up for Ashburton trainer Gerard O’Reilly at Addington on Friday night when she won the tighter assessed Alabar mobile pace over 1980m. O’Reilly has recently had a hip replacement, and was watching from his couch at home while he recovers. “I got the hip done about 10 days ago. I’ll be out for about two – three months. “It was good last night, exciting! Plenty of encouragement from the couch.” Sweet Belle was restrained by driver…
Bill boots it to victory at Invercargill
By Jonny Turner Bill Bootit added to the outstanding record of his dam Cochy Bondu when running to an effortless win at Ascot Park yesterday. The four-year-old chased a tearaway leader throughout, as the outsider The Bronx set up an exciting contest in race 1. Though he had to bring the rest of the field up and close the gap on the leader, Bill Bootit scored with plenty in hand as Williamson judged the pace perfectly. “You just have to try and judge the pace and I left as much…
Spirited bidding for Miki Montana
Talented mare Miki Montana has a new home after being snapped up for $47,000 last night. After winning six races and over $130,000 for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan, Miki Montana was offered up on gavelhouse.com by Entain Australia boss Dean Shannon’s Montana Park. After spirited bidding she went for $47,000 to Canterbury-based Spreydon Lodge. Among the bidders was Australia’s Inter Dominion and multiple Group 1-winning trainer Jason Grimson. “A premium mare always attracts a premium price,” says Spreydon Lodge/ Nevele R Stud General Manager, Ged Mooar. The daughter…