Category: Meeting Previews

The Racing Rewards Easter Showcase will return to Addington Raceway for a fourth time in 2025. Terms and conditions for the Showcase have been approved by Harness Racing New Zealand with five $30,000 races confirmed for Saturday, April 19. The series will be for 4Y0 and older horses, rated 57 and below on January 1,2025 with three races for the pacers (capacity field of 14) and two for the trotters (capacity field of 16). To qualify for the “finals” horses have to have had a minimum of five starts between…

The ever popular series of Metro Heats and Finals will kick off in 2025 at Cambridge next Tuesday. The raceway will host heats for both the 3YO and older R35-45 pacers and trotters. Both heats will be worth $8000. To see the field for the Trotters’ heat click here  To see the field for the Pacers’ heat click here  There’ll be a second round of $16,000 heats at Alexandra Park on Friday, March 14 before the $35,000 finals for both gaits, also at Alexandra Park on March 21. The first…

By Adam Hamilton  Expect to see a better and sharper Merlin when he chases a Miracle Mile berth at Menangle on Saturday night. Co-trainer Scott Phelan said the star pacer’s second at Menangle last Saturday night has “brought him on plenty” ahead of Saturday night’s $100,000 Group 2 Cordina Group Sprint (10.30pm). Merlin, who races as Its Merlin in Australia, will need a top three finish to be certain of a spot in the $1 million Miracle Mile a week later. He’s got the draw to do it from gate…

The return of rising star Marketplace, Seth Hill’s win in the Revell Douglas series, Kentuckiana’s big open day and a Kiwi bred that’s become a millionaire all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Marketplace wins at trials    Rising star Marketplace has excelled at Thursday’s Pukekohe trials, running his last 400 in 26.2. The Regan Todd-trained Marketplace, crowned 2YO Pacing Colt/Gelding of the year at the recent HRNZ awards, won the four-horse heat by a head from Jeremiah. It was the pacer’s first public hit out this year after a…

Check out this week’s The Box Seat   

By Jonny Turner  The winning chances that Rory McIlwrick teams up with at Winton on Thursday are in good hands. McIlwrick has been on a winning run recently, but not in the way many punters would suspect. The horseman has been producing great results through his equine bodywork and massage business. McIlwrick is hoping his hands can produce more success with his book of five drives at Winton. They’ll be especially important when Claasee lines up behind the mobile to chase down her second career victory in Race 3, the…

The HRNZ Board is committed to being a good and open communicator with all sections of the sport and will be providing regular updates on what it’s doing, and where its priorities lie. By way of background, the seven-member Board was appointed at the HRNZ AGM in October last year, with members coming from Auckland to Invercargill. The Board consists of : Grant Jarrold (Chair)Hannah Doney (Vice Chair)Shaun Brooks (Finance Chair)Jane DavisGeorgina HunterStephen O’ConnorTim Sissons Profiles :  Grant Jarrold  – Chair  Based in Christchurch, Grant is a retired chartered accountant…