For the first time New Zealand will be the sole host of the World Drivers’ Championship later this year. Representing 10 different countries, the championships will be held at four venues – Kaikoura, Cambridge, Winton and Addington from November 2-11. “It’s an exceptional opportunity to showcase our sport and to show New Zealand off to the world,” says Harness Racing New Zealand Chief Executive Brad Steele. To see the Media Release click here
Category: Harness
Take After Me makes history at Ashburton
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Take After Me showed he can still be more than competitive in his history-making 400th start at Ashburton yesterday. The 14-year-old, affectionately known as ‘Rocky’, became the first ever standardbred to reach the mark and he did it in style with a gutsy third placing in the Matt Smith Construction Trot, just over a length away from the winner. In the words of commentator Andy McCook he “ran an absolute beauty”. For Take After Me’s connections it was a proud moment. “That was…
BGP gearing up for “massive” Night of Champions at Cambridge
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Some extra spice has been added to the Boys Get Paid (BGP)’s assault on Cambridge’s Night of Champions on Friday, April 4. For the second year BGP will be running their own Punters’ Club at Cambridge on the night but for the first time they will have some real skin in the game, with their own runner in the night’s pinnacle race. Big spending Australian Josh Davine and BGP secured the 10th and last slot for the $1m The Race by betcha and…
Not As Promised’s big step towards $600,000 TAB Trot
By Adam Hamilton Queensland trainer Graham Dwyer isn’t setting the bar too high for his emerging trotter Not As Promised at Cambridge on Friday night. The five-year-old steps into the big league for the first time when he faces arguably NZ’s two best trotters, Bet N Win and Oscar Bonavena, in a small five-horse field in the $60,000 Waikato Trotters’ Flying Mile. “It a small field, but a strong field,” Dwyer said. “It’ll give us a clear indication where he sits with some of the best. “We’ve been really happy…
The Box Seat – March 25
Check out this week’s The Box Seat
News Briefs – March 26
Yet another milestone for our top driver, the barrier reveals for Cambridge’s big night and two good trial performances all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Orange inches towards 3000 Blair Orange is getting ever closer to becoming just the fourth driver to win 3000 races in this country. He passed 2900 winners when Almighty Clever won for trainer Matt Purvis at Addington last Wednesday. He now has 2906 winners in total. Just three drivers are ahead of him – Tony Herlihy (3700), Maurice McKendry (3417) and Ricky May (3159).…
Quirky pacer makes return at Ashburton today
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A last start sixth behind Marketplace in a Group 1 on IRT New Zealand Cup day reads like good form for Sacetas heading into Ashburton today. The Tom Bagrie-trained three-year-old is fresh up and a $1.70 favourite in Race 5, the Scenic Hotel Mobile Pace (4.40pm). He will be driven by Ricky May. As the highest-rated horse in the field he’s drawn the outside of the front row over the 1700 metre trip. He has won one from 10 so far. “His…
Excitement around return of Thursday racing at Cambridge
Cambridge Raceway is welcoming a return to Thursday racing, saying it’s “excited” about the move. Last week the Entain and Harness Racing New Zealand management teams were involved in a strategy and review meeting in Auckland, with the “Look North” strategy a key part of their discussions. The strategy was launched as part of the “Future Starts Now” last year and is focused on reinvigorating racing in the north, particularly at Cambridge and Alexandra Park. Entain’s own wagering figures show that punters across the country are supporting Look North. Nationally,…
Take After Me to make history as retirement looms
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Harness racing history will be made just after 5.18pm at Ashburton Raceway on Wednesday. That’s when the dual gaited veteran Take After Me will line up in his 400th start in the Matt Smith Construction Trot. He’ll be the first standardbred ever in this country to reach that mark. “When you think that he started as a three-year-old in Invercargill and he’s still going as a 14-year-old,” says Kaiapoi-based trainer Fred Scott, “he’s been a great horse to us.” He bred and races…
Ruby Ridge one of a number of chances for Blanchards at Cambridge tonight
Two meetings at Cambridge, including Friday’s dress rehearsal for their Night of Champions and a Sunday triple header all feature in this week’s harness racing around the country. Cambridge kicks things off today with Ashburton tomorrow before Friday Night Lights at Cambridge and Addington. Cambridge’s Friday programme features the two Waikato Flying Miles. Merlin, Duchess Megxit, Mo’unga and Rakero Rocket are the headliners in the Pacers event, with Australian Not As Promised lining up against Bet N Win and Oscar Bonavena in the Trotters’ Mile. Both races will be keenly…