By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk As popular victories go Ambleside Drive’s win at Addington last night was right up there. At start number 62, the Auckland Reactor five-year-old mare finally broke through in Race 2, the Book Now for Owners Night 28th March Mobile Pace. For the Robertson family who bred, train and race the mare, it’s been a long time coming. Her debut was at Motukarara in April 2022. “I was starting to lose the faith,” said Peter Robertson who trains in partnership with son Mitchell. He…
Category: Harness
Trials Report – Six Of The Best
These six horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week 20/3/2025 they head back to the racetrack. Terabyte (3g Majestic Son – Broadbank) Tr. A Herlihy Debutant at Auckland this Friday night (Race 3) but has been a multiple workout winner at Pukekohe in recent weeks, the most recent (6/3/25) where he settled fourth of 4 before looping around field to lead last 1500m, didn’t flinch when challenged hard over final 300m by Memories (1), did enough to stay in front. MR:2:15.9, 800m in 61.4, 400m in 29.5.…
Rubira out of Harness Million
By Michael Guerin Last Friday’s Alabar Classic winner Rubira will miss Friday’s $200,000 Harness Million at Alexandra Park. The Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained pacer was involved in a minor track work accident on Wednesday that left him with bruising on his leg. “We are hoping it isn’t too serious and we can get him to a three-year-old race at Cambridge,” says Purdon. Rubira has been dynamic this campaign and his scratching clears the way even more for Marketplace to dominate Friday’s Listed event. Marketplace was already the $1.30 favourite for…
Young in with a “show” in both Friday’s Metro Series Finals
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Pukekohe trainer Jeremy Young rates his chances in the two $35,000 Metro Finals at Alexandra Park on Friday night. He has Eyre I Will in Race 1, the Dunstan Speedfeed Metro Series Final Mobile Trot (5.26pm) and convincing last start winner Mantra in Race 2, the Dunstan Speedfeed Metro Series Final Mobile Pace (5.56pm). He’s the only trainer to have starters in both the 3YO and older R35-45 Finals. “It’s great those races are being put on, it’s great money on offer for…
Breakthrough wins possible at Addington today
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Irwell trainers Peter and Mitchell Robertson are “hopeful” one of their two chances can go close at Addington’s midweek meeting today. The father and son combo line up two favoured runners in Ambleside Drive and Dream Boyz in Race 2, the Book Now for Owners Night March 28th Mobile Pace (4.40pm). They will be driven by Blair Orange and John Dunn. The stablemates make up a quarter of the eight horse field but the numbers aren’t necessarily good for the pair –…
Warriors and Harness Racing in partnership
Harness Racing New Zealand and the One New Zealand Warriors have brought the two codes together in a partnership providing mutual benefits for both sports. The organisations are driven to cross-promote their codes to expand fan engagement and provide impetus for commercial growth. The first joint venture between HRNZ and the One New Zealand Warriors will coincide with the NRL club’s much-anticipated Anzac Day match against the Newcastle Knights at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch right next door to Addington Raceway, the home of New Zealand harness racing. There’ll be…
Brittany Graham on her NZ gig – “daunting but exciting”
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A mixture of the familiar and the unknown awaits well-known racing personality Brittany Graham as she prepares to take up a new job on this side of the Tasman. This week the born and bred Queenslander starts her new job with Entain/TAB. She’ll be a presenter on Trackside on shows including The Box Seat and Friday Night Lights. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous,” says Graham, “but it’s good nerves. “It’s a bit daunting but exciting too.” The harness…
Don’t Stop Dreaming to debut for Cullens at Alexandra Park
By Michael Guerin Star pacer Don’t Stop Dreaming has changed stables just two weeks out from the $1million Race by Betcha at Cambridge on Friday, April 4. The last-start Menangle winner has left trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon and joined Hayden and Amanda Cullen and will debut for them in Friday’s $60,000 Auckland Co-Op Taxis City of Auckland Free-For-All at Alexandra Park. Don’t Stop Dreaming faces a second line draw for the Cullens starting alongside stablemate We Walk By Faith in the 2200m mobile which is stacked with the majority…
Don’t Stop Dreaming to debut for new stable in Harness Million Final
By Michael Guerin Star pacer Don’t Stop Dreaming has changed stables just two weeks out from the $1million Race by Betcha at Cambridge on Friday, April 4. The last-start Menangle winner has left trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon and joined Hayden and Amanda Cullen and will debut for them in Friday’s $60,000 Auckland Co-Op Taxis City of Auckland Free-For-All at Alexandra Park. Don’t Stop Dreaming faces a second line draw for the Cullens starting alongside stablemate We Walk By Faith in the 2200m mobile which is stacked with the majority…
Harness Million to highlight harness racing week
Harness Million night at Alexandra Park on Friday will highlight harness racing action around the country this week. The first of the week’s meetings is at Cambridge tonight, followed by Addington tomorrow. Addington will back up two days later with Friday Night Lights action alongside a bumper card at Auckland. Addington’s feature will be the $30,000 Bob Rochford Seddon Districts Trotters Final while up north the NZB Standardbred Harness Million 3YO Fillies Final (7.34pm) is worth $150,000 and will be followed by the $200,000 Final for the Colts and Geldings…