Category: Meeting Previews

Two $35,000 Northern Metro series finals at Alexandra Park on Friday night will feature in harness racing action around the country this week. The week kicks off with the “Trot into Tuesday” at Cambridge today with seven races, starting at 4.45pm before the third October mid-week meeting at Addington Raceway on Wednesday. Friday will again see dual venue action at Addington and Alexandra Park before the Tuapeka Cup day meeting at Ascot Park in Invercargill  on Sunday and then Ashburton’s massive day on Labour Day Monday which will see the…

New Zealand’s three representatives have been confirmed for the Australasian Young Drivers’ Championships (AYDC) in New South Wales in December. Crystal Hackett, Sam Thornley and Kerryn Tomlinson will compete against Australia’s top young talent over nine heats at Menangle, Bathurst, Penrith and Newcastle from December 10-14. Hackett’s selection caps off quite the week for the 20-year-old Aucklander. On Friday she secured a breakthrough victory at the McMillan Equine Feeds New Zealand Junior Drivers’ Championships at Addington. She will represent the north as that region’s most successful driver, while Thornley is…

And then there were three.   The shortlist has been decided for the brand new $200,000 4YO race at Addington Raceway on Friday, December 6. To mark the first ever running of the Group 1 HRNZ held a “name the race” competition. The response was incredible, with entries closing on Thursday, October 17. The three finalists have now been found : The Christian CullenThe Southern CrossThe Terror To Love Terror To Love and Christian Cullen were (of course) champions in their own right. Terror To Love was a three-time NZ…

Keayang Zahara goes 10 from 10, Catch A Wave looks Christchurch bound and Cantfindabettorman just keeps winning in this week’s Aussie News.  By Adam Hamilton  Freakish Aussie three-year-old trotting filly Keayang Zahara will very likely head to New Zealand unbeaten in 11 starts. The Marg Lee-trained superstar made it a perfect 10 when she cruised to victory in a heat of the Victoria Trotters’ Derby against the boys at Maryborough today (Sunday). Importantly, her gate speed keeps improving, too. She began well and quickly worked to the front before cruising…

By Jonny Turner Master trainer Phil Williamson thinks punters have a challenge on their hands ahead of the Group 3 Dark Horse Mares Handicap at Ascot Park on Sunday. A capacity field of classy contenders has been assembled for the inaugural running of Southland’s newest black-type event.   Nobody has won more trotting races in New Zealand than Williamson. The Oamaru trainer is certain he knows how the event will play out, but unfortunately for his fans that does not extend to knowing which horses will be where.  “I think…

Who’s been excelling at the trials around the country?  Auckland Trotting Club Workouts @ Pukekohe Thursday 10 October Race 5- Dawson (3g Sweet Lou-Speights Girl) Tr- B Purdon & SD Phelan Always shown a heap of potential and resumed in this heat going straight to the front for driver Crystal Hackett. Only a quiet trial up against two other runners but looked strong throughout, running home in a tick over 58 seconds for the last half, and 27.8 for the final quarter. Went on to win his Alexandra Park debut last…

It’s Friday night and that means some quality racing at both Addington (first race 4.34pm) and at Alexandra Park (first race 5.46pm). Addington will see the fifth and final heat of the McMillan Equine Feeds NZ Junior Drivers Championships (6.29pm) with Zev Meredith leading the field on 37 points, one ahead of 2020 champion Kerryn Tomlinson, and Crystal Hackett and Seth Hill right in contention on 33. Other features of the night include the appearance of star northern filly Duchess Megxit in the $25,000 Macca Lodge Hilarious Guest 3YO Fillies…