By Michael Guerin Champion filly Millwood Nike is out of Sunday’s Tennant Engineering New Zealand Pacing Oaks with her immediate future in doubt. One of the biggest drawcards on the massive Grand Prix day at Addington, the hot favourite was scratched on Thursday morning after she was found to have a swollen tendon, with co-trainer Mark Purdon hoping it is from a paddock knock. “We will know more after we get it scanned,” says Purdon. The setback means not only will Millwood Nike miss her shot at the Oaks and…
Category: Harness
Butcher assesses his chances at Cambridge
by Brigette Solomon David Butcher is always one to follow on his home track and lines up a number of good chances at Cambridge Raceway tonight. But the Waikato-based trainer-driver is leaning more towards place chances with his runners, rather than outright winners. The first of Butcher’s starters is Changealot in Race 3, the Dunstan Salute Mobile Pace over 2200m. “He’s got a good draw so with a good trip and a bit of luck he’s a place chance” says Butcher. Romeo Foxtrot, a strong winner a fortnight ago at…
Can Not As Promised do a Swayzee at Addington?
By Adam Hamilton Will there be two successful Aussie raids at Addington in less than a month? Swayzee set the tone with his powerhouse NZ Cup win on November 14, when he became just the second Aussie-trained pacer since My Lightning Blue in 1987 to win the iconic race. Now top young trotter Not As Promised gets his turn. His Queensland-based trainer Graham Dwyer already feels like a winner. Dwyer has been in New Zealand since last Thursday with Not As Promised, who is one of the favourites for Sunday’s…
Trotter of the year title at stake at Sunday’s Grand Prix meeting
By Michael Guerin Oscar Bonavena may have been handed a shot at a most unlikely Trotter of the Year title at Addington on Sunday. There wouldn’t have been a day in 2023 that Muscle Mountain hasn’t been considered our best trotter and he still is but he will now miss Sunday’s $110,000 Livamol NZ Trotting Free-For-All after a slight setback and won’t race again this year. He goes to the paddock the winner of eight of 12 starts including two Group 1s in 2023, which encapsulates the harness racing season…
Ottley first to 700 driving wins
By Mike Love New Zealand’s most successful female driver Samantha Ottley says she is feeling “very thankful” after bringing up her 700th driving success at Methven yesterday. It was in the Hekeao Feed Company Trot when she steered the Kevin Fairbairn-trained Holly Highlander to a narrow victory, beating Sunny Louis by a nose. “It’s a pretty cool achievement to have next to my name,” said Ottley. “It was good to bring it up with Kevin (Fairbairn) and Wendy (Nordqvist) who have been a big supporter of mine. I’ve driven for…
Chanelle Dickie talks of her love of horses – and the tears when they go
A well known figure in harness racing and equestrian circles, Chanelle Dickie has featured in a Radio New Zealand show about Harness Racing New Zealand’s rehoming programme, HERO. To hear what she has to say click here
Latest from the trials – December 4
Every week we look at the trials and workouts from right around the country. Who’s impressing and who looks ready to race? Pukekohe Workouts Friday 1st DecemberWeather Fine Track fast Prince Miki (2g Always B Miki – Jubilee Princess) The Telfer-trained runner got back in the five horse qualifying field, still had plenty to do 400m out, made up a ton of ground in the straight to finish third less than 3L from winner/stablemate Major Secret who led throughout. MR:2:02.2, 800m in 58.7, 400m in 29.1. His last 400m would…
Queen Elida looking to bounce back at IDs
By Adam Hamilton Star Kiwi-owned trotting mare Queen Elida can bounce-back from a shock opening round Brisbane Inter Dominion defeat in Tuesday’s second round of heats. Trainer Brent Lilley suspects his stable star “probably tied-up a bit” when she was surprisingly run down by emerging Victorian trotter Plymouth Chubb in the second of last Friday night’s trotting heats. Queen Elida looked all over a winning rounding the final bend when she sailed away from her rivals, but stand-in driver Cam Hart got Plymouth Chubb into clear air and he blasted…
Franco Indie delivers again
By Jonny Turner Alabar’s gift that keeps giving delivered again when Franco Indie took out the Akaroa Cup at Motukarara on Saturday. The All Stars pacer justified his hot favouritism when adding his first victory on grass to his impressive résumé. Franco Indie has breeding giants Alabar and Nevele R Stud among its big group of owners. The two studs stand the pacer’s sire Always B Miki, and they backed the stallion by purchasing Franco Indie as a yearling. A standout two and three-year-old, the pacer now looks ready to…
Ohoka Connor ready for Green Mile
By Mike Love Ohoka Connor ($2.50FF) will be looking to add to his outstanding resume today in the Methven 4 Square Supermarket Green Mile at Mt Harding racecourse. The Sunshine Beach three-year-old has been phenomenal in his short career, winning seven from his eights starts. His most recent win came on Show Day at Addington. Co-trainer Steve Telfer reports the gelding is on song going into today’s assignment. “He seems well. He’s come through that run really good,” said Telfer. Having his first start on the grass surface should not…