The ever popular series of Metro Heats and Finals will kick off in 2025 at Cambridge next Tuesday. The raceway will host heats for both the 3YO and older R35-45 pacers and trotters. Both heats will be worth $8000. To see the field for the Trotters’ heat click here To see the field for the Pacers’ heat click here There’ll be a second round of $16,000 heats at Alexandra Park on Friday, March 14 before the $35,000 finals for both gaits, also at Alexandra Park on March 21. The first…
Category: Harness
Draw and fitness on Merlin’s side in Menangle Group 2
By Adam Hamilton Expect to see a better and sharper Merlin when he chases a Miracle Mile berth at Menangle on Saturday night. Co-trainer Scott Phelan said the star pacer’s second at Menangle last Saturday night has “brought him on plenty” ahead of Saturday night’s $100,000 Group 2 Cordina Group Sprint (10.30pm). Merlin, who races as Its Merlin in Australia, will need a top three finish to be certain of a spot in the $1 million Miracle Mile a week later. He’s got the draw to do it from gate…
News Briefs – February 27
The return of rising star Marketplace, Seth Hill’s win in the Revell Douglas series, Kentuckiana’s big open day and a Kiwi bred that’s become a millionaire all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Marketplace wins at trials Rising star Marketplace has excelled at Thursday’s Pukekohe trials, running his last 400 in 26.2. The Regan Todd-trained Marketplace, crowned 2YO Pacing Colt/Gelding of the year at the recent HRNZ awards, won the four-horse heat by a head from Jeremiah. It was the pacer’s first public hit out this year after a…
The Box Seat – February 27
Check out this week’s The Box Seat
McIlwrick with “claasee” book of drives at Winton today
By Jonny Turner The winning chances that Rory McIlwrick teams up with at Winton on Thursday are in good hands. McIlwrick has been on a winning run recently, but not in the way many punters would suspect. The horseman has been producing great results through his equine bodywork and massage business. McIlwrick is hoping his hands can produce more success with his book of five drives at Winton. They’ll be especially important when Claasee lines up behind the mobile to chase down her second career victory in Race 3, the…
HRNZ Update from the Chair
The HRNZ Board is committed to being a good and open communicator with all sections of the sport and will be providing regular updates on what it’s doing, and where its priorities lie. By way of background, the seven-member Board was appointed at the HRNZ AGM in October last year, with members coming from Auckland to Invercargill. The Board consists of : Grant Jarrold (Chair)Hannah Doney (Vice Chair)Shaun Brooks (Finance Chair)Jane DavisGeorgina HunterStephen O’ConnorTim Sissons Profiles : Grant Jarrold – Chair Based in Christchurch, Grant is a retired chartered accountant…
Dexter Dunn’s “unbelievable” win at Dan Patch awards
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk The rushed trip back to the United States was well worth it for champion driver Dexter Dunn. The 10-time Kiwi champion arrived in Florida just a hour before the annual Dan Patch awards started, and he’d be pleased he did. Dunn had been in Brisbane over the weekend, finishing fourth in the inaugural Ultimate Drivers Championship at Albion Park. Earlier he’d been holidaying back home in New Zealand. He always knew he was going to win his fifth USA Driver of the…
Nikita Burton chasing elusive first win
Double-headers on Tuesday and Friday will make for a busy harness racing week around the country. Addington and Manawatu get underway on Tuesday, with Manawatu’s seven race card starting at 3.24pm and the first of Addington’s eight races set down for 4.28pm. Winton is next to go on Thursday with Friday Night Lights featuring meetings at both Alexandra Park and Addington. The week is rounded out with a Sunday meeting at Rangiora. Burton hoping to go one better with Ultimate Counsel By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk After going…
Vale Mark Gill
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A memorial service will be held on March 1 for one of the mainstays of the Marlborough harness racing scene Mark Gill who’s died suddenly in Blenheim. The 76-year-old, a hobby trainer for 30 years, was still working fulltime as a farm worker and had been shoeing and working horses only a day before he had a sudden and unexpected medical event. “It was a huge shock for everyone to lose him so quickly,” says grand-daughter and training partner Kendra Gill. After moving…
Williamsons clock up four wins at Cromwell
By Jonny Turner The Williamsons rolled into Cromwell over the weekend and the results were rather familiar. Brad Williamson’s winning double yesterday added to the incredible success his family have enjoyed at the Central Otago venue which is something of a home away from home for them. Brad kicked Sunday’s meeting off in style with Isobel running to an impressive debut victory in Race 1, the Central Otago Motor Group Trot. The three-year-old trialled impressively ahead of her first start and she produced a faultless trotting display under the pressure…