The best tips for the Christmas – New Year period

As many look forward to enjoying their Christmas break, harness racing is gearing up for one of its busiest times – there will be nine meetings between Boxing Day and January 6, including Alexandra Park’s premier Auckland Cup meeting on New Year’s Eve. Westport on Boxing Day is a tried and true favourite, highlighted by the Frank Dooley Memorial Westport Cup (3.10pm) with its second day on December 28. Between the two meetings are 12 races on the grass at Gore including the Jaccka Lodge Gore Trotting Cup and the…

New AYDC Qualifying Criteria

The 2025 Australasian Young Drivers Championship will be held in July in Brisbane. This has meant we needed to change the way our Junior Drivers qualify for the Championship. Please see attached here the new qualifying criteria.   Any questions can be directed to Matthew Peden – Head of Racing and Wagering  – matthew.peden@hrnz.co.nz      

Ottley and Dalgety head north in pursuit of milestones

By Brigette Solomon  The Cambridge Pacers Christmas Cup promises plenty of action today with South Island-based drivers Sam Ottley and Carter Dalgety both engaged to drive strong chances as they continue their quests for driving milestones. Ottley aims to be the first woman to achieve 100 driving wins in a 12-month season and drives the Arna Donnelly-trained Little Spike, while Dalgety drives Fernetti who is trained by his parents Cran and Chrissie Dalgety, and he is vying for the New Zealand Junior Drivers Championship title. Little Spike starts the 2700…

HRNZ launches Next Gen : Own The Thrill

A new initiative is being launched by Harness Racing New Zealand to encourage new owners. Labelled “Next Gen”, the scheme’s ambition is to be a game changer. “We want people to ‘Own The Thrill’,” says HRNZ Chief Executive Brad Steele, who’s the architect behind the project. “We need to get new and younger people involved, convey the excitement of owning and racing a horse, and provide pathways for trainers and others making their way in our sport.” Total new additional bonuses of up to $600,000 per year will be awarded…

Tact McLeod now heading to Bendigo Cup

By Adam Hamilton  A couple of sweltering Melbourne days have delayed the start of exciting Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod’s Victorian campaign. In the care of Anthony Butt and Sonya Smith, Tact McLeod was slated to open his assault in a free-for-all at Cranbourne on Saturday. “We’re going to hold back and wait another week now,” Butt said. “When he arrived down from Sydney, we had a couple of really hot days, so we decided just to take it easy on him. “Cranbourne was never a definite, more a good starting…

One milestone down, one to go for Sam Ottley

By Mike Love  Sam Ottley, New Zealand’s most winningest female driver, picked up win number 800 at the Ashburton meeting yesterday.  Driving the John Howe-trained Didjaseemiki in Race 5, the John Rollinson & Cash Register Memorial Mobile Ottley was able to settle toward the rear of the field from their wide draw. Ottley then made a move at the 900m being able to flush out a drag up. Being beautifully placed, it was a timely run to get up and win by a neck.  “Coaster said he’s a speed horse…

Aussie News : December 22

In-form Dexter Dunn confirms details around the Ultimate Driver Challenge, Triple Eight wins again and memories of Maori’s Idol all feature in this week’s Aussie news.    By Adam Hamilton  Dexter Dunn will be seen driving in Brisbane earlier than most expected in February. Dunn, who has the Entain slot in the new Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Challenge, will drive at a lead-up with fellow North American-based champion, Yannick Gingras. The Ultimate Driver Challenge consists of 20 races across two nights at Albion Park on February 21 and 22. But Gingras…

Local success likely at Ashburton

By Mike Love  Ashburton locals Brent and Tim White have a good chance at early training success today with some short priced favourites. Punters may not have to look much further than race number one and Major Doosie ($2.00FF) in the Mainland Repairs Mobile Trot over 2400m.  Major Doosie has strung together several placings in good races recently, and today will be chasing the two year old bonus if successful.  “Gets a good draw and being at home is a good help as well,” said co-trainer Tim White. “He’s come…

Donnelly’s “special” treble in the Golden Gait

By Michael Guerin Arna Donnelly had never won a $100,000 race before Friday night: now she has won three. And after her treble on the inaugural Golden Gait night at Alexandra Park she has her eyes set on even bigger targets. The popular Waikato trainer captured a treble with three very different types of horses the first being Chase Me who capped a wonderful debut season with an impressive win in the TAB Golden Gait 2YO Mobile Pace. “He is a really promising horse and what makes it even better…