Name the race – People’s vote

And then there were three.   The shortlist has been decided for the brand new $200,000 4YO race at Addington Raceway on Friday, December 6. To mark the first ever running of the Group 1 HRNZ held a “name the race” competition. The response was incredible, with entries closing on Thursday, October 17. The three finalists have now been found : The Christian CullenThe Southern CrossThe Terror To Love Terror To Love and Christian Cullen were (of course) champions in their own right. Terror To Love was a three-time NZ…

Eurostyle stars in first ever Dark Horse

By Jonny Turner  Cantabrians Kimberly Butt and Derek and Adele Jones made history of their own when Eurostyle dominated the inaugural running of the Group 3 Dark Horse Trot at Invercargill yesterday. It was a case of horse, trainers and driver all breaking through for well-deserved maiden group race victories when Eurostyle cleared out from her rivals in the newly minted trotting feature. Butt added to her family’s incredible legacy in New Zealand’s trotting history books courtesy of a heady winning drive with the five-year-old. The reinswoman has driven Eurostyle…

Aussie News – October 20

Keayang Zahara goes 10 from 10, Catch A Wave looks Christchurch bound and Cantfindabettorman just keeps winning in this week’s Aussie News.  By Adam Hamilton  Freakish Aussie three-year-old trotting filly Keayang Zahara will very likely head to New Zealand unbeaten in 11 starts. The Marg Lee-trained superstar made it a perfect 10 when she cruised to victory in a heat of the Victoria Trotters’ Derby against the boys at Maryborough today (Sunday). Importantly, her gate speed keeps improving, too. She began well and quickly worked to the front before cruising…

Williamson ponders scenarios in first ever Dark Horse at Invercargill

By Jonny Turner Master trainer Phil Williamson thinks punters have a challenge on their hands ahead of the Group 3 Dark Horse Mares Handicap at Ascot Park on Sunday. A capacity field of classy contenders has been assembled for the inaugural running of Southland’s newest black-type event.   Nobody has won more trotting races in New Zealand than Williamson. The Oamaru trainer is certain he knows how the event will play out, but unfortunately for his fans that does not extend to knowing which horses will be where.  “I think…

The Trials Report – October 19

Who’s been excelling at the trials around the country?  Auckland Trotting Club Workouts @ Pukekohe Thursday 10 October Race 5- Dawson (3g Sweet Lou-Speights Girl) Tr- B Purdon & SD Phelan Always shown a heap of potential and resumed in this heat going straight to the front for driver Crystal Hackett. Only a quiet trial up against two other runners but looked strong throughout, running home in a tick over 58 seconds for the last half, and 27.8 for the final quarter. Went on to win his Alexandra Park debut last…

Third time lucky for Crystal Hackett

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Consistency was the key as Crystal Hackett clinched her first McMillan Equine Feeds New Zealand Junior Drivers’ Championship at Addington on Friday night. At her third attempt to win the coveted title, Hackett finished with 45 points from this week’s five heats at Cambridge and Addington to win by just three points from 2020 champion Kerryn Tomlinson and Olivia Thornley one point further back on 41. It was the first time since the championships started in the mid 1970s that female drivers have…

Junior Drivers and Silk Road final to highlight Friday night action

It’s Friday night and that means some quality racing at both Addington (first race 4.34pm) and at Alexandra Park (first race 5.46pm). Addington will see the fifth and final heat of the McMillan Equine Feeds NZ Junior Drivers Championships (6.29pm) with Zev Meredith leading the field on 37 points, one ahead of 2020 champion Kerryn Tomlinson, and Crystal Hackett and Seth Hill right in contention on 33. Other features of the night include the appearance of star northern filly Duchess Megxit in the $25,000 Macca Lodge Hilarious Guest 3YO Fillies…

Junior Drivers’ Championships headed for big finale at Addington

By Michael Guerin Kerryn Tomlinson wants the win and the trip this time. But first the Oamaru driver who surged into contention for the McMillan Equine Feeds Junior Drivers Champs with a win at Addington on Wednesday, has to win the series which has been left one of the most open in its history. Tomlinson and Seth Hill were the winners of the two heats at Addington seeing them  both high up on the stacked leaders board. Zev Meredith leads the series with 37 points just one clear of Tomlinson…

Leap To Fame in “lot better place”

By Adam Hamilton  Champion Aussie pacer Leap To Fame’s chances of being at Addington next month have dramatically improved. The trip across for next month’s iconic $1m IRT NZ Trotting Cup looks in tatters when Leap To Fame was scratched from last Saturday’s Group 1 Victoria Cup with a virus. But a speedy recovery and planned 2300m race at Sydney’s Menangle track on Saturday week look set to revive the five-year-old’s first trip to New Zealand. “It’s not a yes, but we’re in a lot better place than we were…

The Kiwi Syndicate’s quest for THE ASCENT

THE ASCENT and THE VELOCITY are the brand new $500,000 slot races that will be a big part of the Show Day Twilight race meeting at Addington Raceway on Friday, November 15. The $30,000 slots for the two races for the three-year-old trotters and pacers were snapped up in quick time – so who are the people behind the names? Over the next few weeks we will profile many of the slot holders. Today it’s The Kiwi Syndicate By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk On the face of it…