Category: Harness

Oscar beats “Harry” in Trotting Free For All

NZHarnessNews

Oscar Bonavena has done what many thought was impossible – and that’s beat Just Believe – at Addington this afternoon. The Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained star was helped by a perfect Blair Orange drive as Oscar Bonavena had his third win in the Group 1 Livamol New Zealand Trotting Free For All.  The eight-year-old slotted into the one-one with Just Believe sitting parked outside the pace-making Muscle Mountain. In the end Just Believe, known as “Harry”, just couldn’t finish it off as Oscar Bonavena reeled him in to secure his…

Country Cups take centre stage at Cambridge

NZHarnessNews

By Brigette Solomon  Local trainer-driver David Butcher lines up three runners in the Thames Country Trotting and Pacing Cups at Cambridge tonight, though he won’t be there himself.  “They’re all going well, and I think they’re all capable of finishing in the placings tonight but I’m driving at Addington tonight,” says Butcher, who is engaged to drive the Arna Donnelly-trained Mako in the inaugural running of the Hill Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY three-year-old Pace. In the Thames Pacers Country Cup (7.27pm) Butcher starts Louezyana and Hooray Henry, to be…

Chase A Dream clear top pick in THE VELOCITY

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin The only filly in the first running of the $500,000 Hill Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY today (6.36pm) may decide the fate of the best boy in the race.  Chase A Dream will start a short priced favourite in the slot race for three-year-old pacers but faces the tricky prospect of starting from one on the second line in the 10-horse field. That could be a good or bad thing depending on how the sole filly in the race Coastal Babe leaves from barrier 1 and the…

It’s Show Day at Addington!

NZHarnessNews

Two new slot races will make Show Day like none before it at Addington Raceway today. Both are for the three-year-olds and are worth $500,000 with the Majestic Horse Float LP THE ASCENT for the trotters going at 5.36pm  and the pacing’s edition, the Hill Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY at 6.36pm. This is the first time slot races have been held at Addington with Chase A Dream the favourite in THE VELOCITY and Australian visitor Keayang Zahara dominating the market for THE ASCENT. The 13 race programme, which will…

Merlin heading for the front in today’s Free For All

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin There is no hiding from the reason for Merlin’s defeat in the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and he won’t be hiding in tonight’s Allied Security New Zealand Free-For-All at Addington either. The form New Zealand pacer of the year only battled into fourth in the Cup won by Swayzee on Tuesday and while there is no shame in being beaten by the winner the fact Merlin was run down for third by Republican Party made his performance clearly below par for co-trainer Scott Phelan. “He just…

Selections | Show Day at Addington

NZHarnessNews

Selections for Show Day at Addington        Race   Michael GuerinJournalist/Presenter    Matt Cross Commentator  Race 11.47pm 12 Forgiveness10 Freya14 Tu Tangata2 What The Bell 12 Forgiveness10 Freya14 Tu Tangata5 Paris Prince  Race 2 2.12pm 2 Rise Up N Dance9 Terra Sancta5 Itoje6 Ultimate Challenge 2 Rise Up N Dance9 Terra Sancta12 Bobbies Rock8 Still Rockin  Race 32.47pm 10 Meant To Be8 Habibti Pat7 Atlantic City9 Ya Rite Darl 10 Meant To Be8 Habibti Pat9 Ya Rite Darl7 Atlantic City  Race 43.22pm  2 Melody Banner11 Miki Bennett14 Salute9 Dynasty 14 Salute7…

Sires’ Stakes Group 1s key part of Show Day at Addington Raceway

NZHarnessNews

By Mike Love Leading northern trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan head to Addington Raceway with a formidable presence in both the Show Day Sires’ Stakes Group 1s. Meant To Be is a $2.25 favourite in the $120,000 IRT Sires’ Stakes Series 2YO Championship (Mobile Trot) at 2.47pm and stablemate Youretheonethatiwant is the top pick ($3.30FF) in the $200,000 Dunstan Sires’ Stakes Series 2YO Pacing Fillies Championship. Meant To Be warmed up with a trial winning effort at Addington last week, beating race rival, the unbeaten Habibti Pat. Trained by…

Aussies out in force at Addington on Show Day

NZHarnessNews

After Swayzee and Just Believe’s heroics on Tuesday, the Australians will play a huge role at Addington on Friday as well. In all there will be eight Aussies fronting up, headlined by Just Believe (again) and young trotting sensation Keayang Zahara. Catch A Wave ready to return to winning wins  By Adam Hamilton  Former Miracle Mile winner Catch A Wave is ready to add to his Group 1 haul in tomorrow’s Allied Security $200,000 Group 1 NZ Free-For-All (1980m) at Addington (7.48pm). On paper, the eight-time Group 1 winner only…

The Trials ‘Report Card’ – November 14

NZHarnessNews

What was worth noting from all over the country for the week ending 14/11/2024 Princess Gracy (2f Sweet Lou – Princess Jessie) Tr. Z Butcher Pukekohe (7/11/24) In front soon after the start of this qualifier, always going well, sprinted sharply to leave her rivals in her wake, off stride very late when well clear and because of this, did not get her ticket even though she was nearly 8 secs under the required time. MR:2:01.3, 800m in 59.8, 400m in 27.6. First foal of a well bred mare who…

Carter Dalgety focuses on busy book at Ashburton

NZHarnessNews

By Mike Love  Canterbury junior driver Carter Dalgety will have to come down from cloud nine after Republican Party went a huge race to finish third in Tuesday’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway.  “I’m over the moon – he ran a thriller. He seems really bright too so he’s come through it super,” said Dalgety. Dalgety is only the second junior driver to have placed in the New Zealand Cup. Dalgety’s friend and mentor Dexter Dunn being the only other junior to achieve that with Bettors Strike,…