Who’s been impressing at the trials and workouts all over the country over the past week? Winton Harness Workouts- Friday 18 October Race 1- Wild East (2g Always B Miki- Bay Jet) Tr- LB Pearson Had a couple of starts earlier in the year in pretty hot two-year-old fields and was having second preparatory run back today. Worked his way to the front for driver Brent Barclay before taking the trail behind Shezabettorgirl (Brett Gray), and wore the leader down in the shadow’s of the post (neither driven out). They…
Category: Harness
Big Friday night for Arna Donnelly
It’s Friday night and Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly has some key runners at both Alexandra Park and Addington. And she looks to have some good chances at both meetings. Inter island assault from Donnelly stable By Michael Guerin Tonight is what trainer Arna Donnelly hoped her training career would look like. Once known as the Cambridge horsewoman who improved other people’s cast-offs, Donnelly is now one of the most respected trainers in the New Zealand harness racing industry. Tonight she has some of the best horses competing at both Addington…
Ester Lucy – there are “more wins in her”
By Mike Love Kaikoura trainer David Broadhurst was rewarded for trekking south when Ester Lucy scored an impressive maiden victory in the Book Your Christmas Party With Us At Addington yesterday. Driven by Ross Houghton, Ester Lucy began well to secure the trail, receiving an economical trip throughout. Houghton then opted to angle the four-year- old Bettors Creek mare around pacemaker General Rebeck to swoop by and run away with the prize, scoring by two and a half lengths and buzzing home in a final 400m of 27.5. “I broke…
Todd Macfarlane’s new job – “all the best were beginners once”
Todd Macfarlane has seen a bit in his time in harness racing, and now is looking forward to imparting some of that knowledge to the next generation. He’s just taken up a new part-time role with Harness Racing New Zealand supporting youngsters, mainly cadets and junior drivers, in Auckland and the Waikato. “I just want to support what Roddy’s doing and help out where I can.” Roddy Butt was employed earlier this year as HRNZ’s new Development Co-Ordinator, based in Canterbury. Macfarlane says nurturing young talent is the key to…
A first and a 100th at Cambridge
By Brigette Solomon Two very contrasting milestones were recorded at Cambridge Raceway last night, with Cliff Wilson scoring his first win in the amateur ranks, and Logan Hollis reining home his 100th winner. Wilson’s winning drive was with the Steve and Amanda Telfer trained Medina Magic who took out the TFS Horse Transport Mobile Pace over 2200 metres. It was a fitting victory with Wilson having been a valued staff member at Stonewall Stud for the past 10 years. The win was also the first of a training double for…
The New Zealand Cup – 20 years ago
It’s 20 days until the running of the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 12 so why not look back at the winner of the great race 20 years ago. In 2004 it was Just An Excuse By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk There was drama before, during and after Just An Excuse’s win in 2024. Before the great race the defending champion was far from healthy. He had jarring up issues, was off his food and his lead-up form did not look promising.…
News Briefs – October 23
Show day Twilight slot races taking shape The slots are filling up fast for THE ASCENT and THE VELOCITY as part of the Show Day Twilight races at Addington Raceway on Friday, November 15. In the past 24 hours two more horses have been announced, with Tyron Eros for The Tyre General Giti in THE ASCENT and He’s From Heaven as Entain’s pacer for THE VELOCITY. The Kiwi-bred He’s From Heaven has been racing in Victoria and has a career record of eight wins from 16 starts. Tyron Eros, bred…
New HRNZ Board appointments
An accountant with extensive sporting experience, Grant Jarrold has been appointed as the Chair of the new Harness Racing New Zealand Board. Among his leadership roles, Jarrold is best known for his work as the current Chair of the Crusaders Board. The seven directors were finalised following an extensive recruitment and selection process, with three being appointed by a nomination panel and the remaining four being elected by clubs and kindred bodies at the HRNZ AGM in Christchurch over the weekend. To see more click here
Ashburton gearing up for huge Labour day meeting
By Michael Guerin The NZB Airfreight Ashburton Flying Stakes is usually the battle for IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup favouritism. That is looking increasingly unlikely for this Monday’s event at Ashburton now that it seems certain Australian superstar Leap To Fame is coming to the Cup. He is currently a $1.75 favourite to take out the big race on Tuesday, November 12. But the $60,000 Group 2 will definitely sort out the local pecking order. The two big names of New Zealand pacing Merlin and Don’t Stop Dreaming meet for…
Minor changes in this week’s NZ Cup week rankings
There’s been minimal movement in this week’s rankings for both the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot to be held at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 12. In the Cup rankings the top 10 are the same as last week with Sooner The Bettor now 11th, up one, after finishing fourth in the Fahey Fence Hire Handicap Pace won by Tact McLeod at Addington last Friday. Sooner Than Bettor swaps places with American Me (now 12th), while Wag Star, who finished second on Friday night in the…