A draft schedule for the two-year-old season for the first half of 2025 has been released. It is for January to July and at this stage is indicative only – the dates, stakes and race conditions are yet to be approved, and may be subject to change. To see the schedule click here
Category: Meeting Previews
Swayzee dominant in record-breaking race day return
By Adam Hamilton Mighty stayer Swayzee made quite a statement at his first run since last month’s successful New Zealand Trotting Cup defence at Addington when he toyed with his rivals at Bathurst last night (Thursday). The gelding, who turns seven in a few days, obliterated the 2790m Bathurst track record on his way to a 17.4m win in a 1min54.9sec mile rate, taking a full second off Alta Orlando’s 2019 record. It was Swayzee’s first run since he defied a frantic racing and travel schedule to win his second…
Pinseeker big chance to take out today’s Gore Cup
By Jonny Turner A rather drastic change of scenery could be just what Pinseeker needs in today’s Mataura Licensing Trust Gore Cup. The talented Canterbury pacer ($2.80FF) has stayed in the south following his fifth in the Group 1 Invercargill Cup and he now has Gore’s very popular Christmas meeting on Friday in his sights. After competing at the highest level against some of New Zealand’s best pacers in his last two starts, the move to a workable handicap in a Country Cups race looks perfect for the pacer trained…
“Unreal” day at Westport creates history for Sam Ottley
By Mike Love A “lot of luck” helped Samantha Ottley to her own slice of harness racing history at Westport yesterday. She became the first female driver to rein 100 hundred winners in a single 12 month season when Masterly capped off a huge five win day at Patterson Park. Ottley only picked up the drive on Masterly when regular driver Bob Butt was unwell and unable to attend the meeting. “On the way over I was looking at the fields and saw my name down on this fella. So…
Selections | Westport
Selections for Westport today Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Westport Trottech Form Analyst Race 112.00pm 4 Waterloo Station2 Macho Man6 Call Dudley5 Lover Boy Race 212.25pm 9 Mary Rulz3 Red Wine Kisses11 Rule Again7 Yogi’s Colada Race 312.50pm 6 Ideal Conqueror3 Rakero Chase7 Interrorgator11 Rutherford Race 41.15pm 1 Brandi Snapp8 Franco Elvis13 She’s A Major Act9 Fear Gogh Race 51.40pm 3 Amalfi10 Fredastaire11 Sideshow Bruce5 Black Billie Gee Race 62.12pm 10 Denuto3 Rapid Response8 Style Council6 Michael Eyre Race 72.38pm 4 Premium…
Adelphi Storm among local hopes at Westport
By Mike Love Canterbury raiders look set to dominate the West Coast circuit, starting at Westport on Boxing Day, though there are are some locals that will be pinning their hopes on their runners to upset the party. One horse that has trialled well and will be one to follow through the circuit and on into the New Year is debutant Adelphi Storm. The Tony O’Dea trained Sky Major three-year-old gelding draws well in Race 3, the Buy And Sell With Marchelle Pace over 2000m. “First time on grass, first…
Ottley inches ever close to 100 wins for season
By Brigette Solomon Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly’s golden run continued when she combined with driver Samantha Ottley to score a winning double which included Little Spike’s outstanding win in yesterday’s Cambridge Pacers Christmas Cup. “Little Spike was just sensational today,” said Donnelly “It was so great for Sam (Ottley) to come up and get to drive him when he’s really firing because she just didn’t get the rub of the green with him when she drove him down south, nothing really quite went his way.” “Both Sam and I were…
Merry Christmas
HRNZ wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and all the very best for the festive season.
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