By Michael Guerin Muscle Mountain may have missed the final lead-up race to tonight’s $180,000 Reharvest Rowe Cup but that could be the best thing to happen to him. The giant trotter will start long odds-on in the Group 1 after a totally dominant autumn and as clearly the best trotter in the country bad luck, manners or below-par fitness would seem his greatest dangers tonight. While he hasn’t raced for a month his trainers Greg and Nina Hope are certain fitness isn’t a concern after Muscle Mountain broke the…
Author: NZHarnessNews
$52,000 top price at weanling sales
A Bettor’s Delight – Asabella filly has been the sales topper at today’s NZB Standardbred National Weanling Sale at Karaka. Described by Woodlands Stud manager Tony Grayling before the sales as “a stand out on breeding and type”, she was purchased by Peter Lagan Standardbreds for $52,000. More than 120 weanlings went through the ring this afternoon. The second highest price went to Lot 109, a Downbytheseside – Utmost Delight filly. She sold for $50,000 to Tumby Park (New South Wales). There was strong buying from across the Tasman. For…
Vale Maurice O’Leary
A popular and successful trainer for over 30 years, Maurice O’Leary is being remembered as a “genuine type of guy” with very high standards. Among his achievements was training a New Zealand Cup day quinella. In the very first race on November 12 1991, O’Leary drove Jenny’s Rocket to victory, with stablemate Jenny’s Comet and Colin DeFilippi finishing second, three quarters of a length away. Having learned his early trade with Basil Lynskey, O’Leary started training in the late 1970s. He was based at West Melton, just outside Christchurch. He…
Krackling heads handy Williamson team
By Mike Love, Harness News Desk North Otago trainers Phil, Brad and Matthew Williamson head north to Addington today with a team of strong winning chances. Krackaling ($1.75FF) resumes in what will be arguably lesser company than she met in her 2 year-old campaign when she goes around in Race 1 tonight. The 3 year-old What The Hill filly has not raced since September last year. With 2 trials to prepare for tonight’s resumption, winning one of those at Oamaru, expectations are high in the Williamson camp. “We expect her…
Does Copy That lead and win the Auckland Cup?
By Michael Guerin Copy That may be one of the great leaders in New Zealand harness racing history but trainer Ray Green is certain he doesn’t have to be in front to win Friday night’s $180,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup. The $2million earner clashes with arch rival Self Assured in the wonderful race and usually, not all the time but usually, when Copy That gets in front of Self Assured he beats him. Both his New Zealand Cup wins came under those circumstances when Copy That started from barrier 8,…
The Box Seat – May 24
This week’s Box Seat with hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin.
Addington Weekly : May 24
Here’s Greg O’Connor and Darrin Williams with the latest Addington News.
News Briefs – May 24
60th success for Kiwi bred Evergreen pacer Crocket’s Cullen has just had his 60th career win. Bred by North Canterbury’s David Cottrell, the now 12-year-old son of Christian Cullen won three from 15 before being sold to Australia in 2016 where he won another 11 times in Victoria and New South Wales. He then headed to North America where he has now won another 46 times. His 60th career win was in a $US20,000 race at Plainridge Park in a time of 1.51, six tenths of a second outside his…
Landora’s Pride lives on through talented progeny
by Rob Courtney Legendary horseman Jim Dalgety used to say that very good stud book families can be ‘dormant for a time but retain the ability to reinvent themselves back into the limelight.’ Friday’s Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park and recent impressive performances by The Moonstone (Monkey Bones – Landora’s Jewel) and Eyre I Will (What The Hill – Landora’s Special) have done just that for Landora’s Pride. This bonny mare from Pukekohe, trained mostly by her part owner Trevor Allingham started 120 times (the last 22 in Australia) between…
Ferguson’s birthday milestone – “it was pretty cool”
By Jonny Turner Craig Ferguson put the icing on top of his birthday cake, as well as a stellar season so far, when driving a treble on his 30th birthday over the weekend. Wins with Mucho Fuerte, Mr Cash Man and Tennessee Honey at Ascot Park gave the Wyndham trainer-driver plenty to celebrate as he hit a milestone birthday on Saturday. “It was pretty cool how things worked out,” Ferguson said. Ferguson arguably produced his best work in the sulky in his own colours, when getting Tennessee Honey out of…