Selections for Cup day at Addington Race Matt Cross Commentator Race 112.08pm 13 Eurokash5 Tu Tangata4 Sheza Gift12 Forgiveness Race 212.33pm 8 Dynasty6 Dave Duley13 Salute12 Shake A Leg Race 31.00pm 9 Gold Bullion7 Zoltan Boscik15 Matty A1 Julie Jaccka Race 41.32pm 9 Catch A Wave14 Ohoka Connor5 Wag Star4 The Big Lebowski Race 52.07pm 9 Duchess Megxit12 Treacherous Baby2 Classic Elegance11 Ruby Roe Race 62.42pm 16 The Lazarus Effect17 Rise Up N Dance2 Katherine18 The Coalman Race 73.14pm 2 Just Believe16 Bet N…
Category: Harness
Well-travelled Swayzee primed for NZ Cup defence
By Adam Hamilton Trainer Jason Grimson is thrilled with the way Swayzee has handled his hectic schedule ahead of today’s $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway (5.46pm). The defending Cup champion arrived at the Butt family’s Woodend Beach stables at 9pm Sunday night, after flights from Sydney to Auckland and then a connector down to Christchurch. “Looking at him, he seems great,” Grimson said yesterday. “It doesn’t look like he’s lost much weight at all. “I had him really well before we left and it’s just about…
Draws done for THE ASCENT and THE VELOCITY
Hotshot Australian trotter Keayang Zahara has drawn perfectly, at three, for Friday’s inaugural running of the Majestic Horse Floats LP THE ASCENT at Addington Raceway. The draws for both THE ASCENT and the Hill Lee Scott THE VELOCITY were made today. Keayang Zahara heads to this side of the Tasman after winning 11 from 11 since debuting in April this year and she is the clear top pick at $1.60. Drawn one Empire City is next at $5.50, with Paramount Kiwi, who’s drawn behind her, third favourite at $8. In…
Manawatu to kick off huge 7 days
The second week of November is harness racing nirvana, and the next seven days will not disappoint. A six race meeting at Manawatu today gets the week underway before all attention turns to the biggest day of them all at Addington Raceway tomorrow for four Group 1s including the $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot. Ashburton will hold its “Showcase” meeting on Thursday before it’s back to Addington on Show Day for four more Group 1s plus the first ever $500,000 slot races,…
Can Swayzee go back to back in New Zealand Cup?
By Michael Guerin The man who could win tomorrow’s $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup has one main question on his mind – Is Merlin better than Akuta? That could be the equation to work out who wins our greatest harness race for Australian superstar of the sulky Cam Hart, who will partner the surprise favourite Swayzee in the Cup at Addington tomorrow. The fact Swayzee is now favourite isn’t a surprise in itself as he is the defending champion and gave the locals a decent old spanking last year.…
“This is my Cup” – Jason Grimson on the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup
By Adam Hamilton Jason Grimson isn’t short of confidence ahead of his IRT NZ Cup defence with Swayzee. Speaking on Melbourne radio SEN Track, the Menangle trainer said: “This is my Cup and I’m coming to get it again.” Grimson’s bullishness grew after Swayzee came through a seven-hour return trip to win the Cherry City Cup at Young on Friday. Today he boards a flight from Sydney to Auckland then a connector down to Christchurch. When he tackles Tuesday’s $1 million Cup, it will be less than four days since…
Grettymac delivers in style
By Mike Love Leeston trainer Kim Butt and Grettymac gave her barely one week old new owners an instant thrill by winning the Barb and Kev Chapman Racing Mobile Trot at Friday’s Rangiora meeting. “I wasn’t really expecting that,” said Butt. “There’s a lot of young syndicate members including some first time owners. It’s great to get on the board early.” The five-year-old Majestic Son mare was initially pulled back from her wide draw but then sent forward after not being able to find the running line. Happy to sit…
First Light big chance for Hurrell at Wyndham
By Jonny Turner Mark Hurrell has four missions to complete before linking up with one of the south’s biggest chances on New Zealand Cup Day. Hurrell has four drives at Wyndham on Sunday including warm favourite First Light. The mare was only just denied in her first start for the spring when overhauled late by the very impressive Winton winner Muchacho. With several factors looking in her favour this week, First Light looks a big winning chance for Hurrell and trainer Greg Hunter. “She just blew out late in her…
Cup Week Lift-Out
Cup Week is upon us! And we’ve got all the information you need to get involved in the fantastic week of racing Our 2024 Lift-Out includes previews from Michael Guerin, Dave Di Somma and Mike Love; fun facts, selections, full fields for Cup Day, Ashburton happenings and a Sweepstake kit for the office. Click here
Star filly has first hit out at Addington
By Adam Hamilton All the signs are great with glamour Aussie trotting filly Keayang Zahara ahead of her first NZ run next week. Driver Jason Lee was all smiles after taking the three-year-old for her first spin around Addington on Saturday morning, ahead of Friday’s inaugural $500,000 Majestic Horse Floats LP THE ASCENT. Keayang Zahara is unbeaten in 11 starts, five of them at Group 1 level. “It’s another box we’ve ticked-off on a trip where everything has gone to plan, maybe even a bit better than Paddy (Lee, co-trainer)…