Category: Meeting Previews

Teal Pants is back for 2025 and we have six driver ambassadors who will wear teal silks throughout the campaign. For six weeks (February 1 – March 16) the Teal Pants campaign will be run, increasing awareness of ovarian cancer, and raising funds towards research. It has been held in this country since 2018, after originally starting across the Tasman in 2014. Every time a female driver, in their distinctive teal pants, wins a race $100 will be donated to the cause by Harness Racing New Zealand and individual clubs.…

Strangles Detected in North Canterbury: What Horse Owners Need to Know Horse owners in North Canterbury are advised to remain vigilant following the detection of a Strangles case in the region. While this case is not connected to the racing community, Strangles is a highly contagious notifiable bacterial disease, and proactive measures are essential to protect your horses. What is Strangles? Strangles is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi, primarily affecting the upper respiratory tract of horses. It spreads rapidly through: Direct Contact: Nose-to-nose interaction between horses. Indirect Contact: Shared…

Harness Racing New Zealand have arranged for a bus to transport those staying at Karaka to the ATC meeting at Alexandra Park on Friday, February 14.  The ATC have generously offered to make available the Presidents Room on Level 3 at Alexandra Park for the evening, including hospitality.  The bus will depart the DoubleTree by Hilton, Karaka at 4.15pm sharp, and on return will depart from Alexandra Park at 10.30pm sharp.  Bookings are on a first in first served basis, and are limited to 45. Please email cameron@hrnz.co.nz to reserve…

By Jonny Turner Brad Williamson will be hard-pressed to match his Northern Southland Cup Day heroics at his home track on Wednesday. The trainer starts three horses at Oamaru after producing a winning treble on a big day of harness racing at Ascot Park last Thursday. The best part of winning with Kracka Looka, Domination’s Call and Tabasco for Williamson was seeing so many happy owners. “It was a great day, when you have a day like that it makes up for the ordinary ones you have.” “We had a…

HRNZ has decided on the 26 May as the implementation date for new regulations on Handicapping, Programming and Ratings. This revised date was selected for two reasons.  Firstly, to release everything at once.  Secondly, to cause minimal disruption to planned race series in the autumn (for which conditions have been set), and to avoid significant races from now until then. The regulations will be in three parts: a.    Part A – The Rating System.  The major IT work for this has been completed.b.    Part B – Updated Handicapping…

These six horses have trialed pleasingly in recent weeks and this week they head back to the racetrack. Words (4m Downbytheseaside – Premier Crus)  Tr. G ShirleyAs yet unraced but qualified back in August 2024, won a Pukekohe workout (16/1/25) after trailing in 5 horse heat then dashing along the inside to grab the win in impressive fashion   MR:2:05.8, 800m in 59.3, 400m in 27.4Noted its won another 3 workouts last year and now finally makes a long awaited debut at Cambridge this Friday night and has secured a…

By Brigette Solomon Ohaupo based trainer Jason Teaz starts three runners today at Otaki’s grass track meeting and is hoping that with a bit of luck they can feature amongst the placings.  Teaz heads into the meeting fresh off the back of a winning double on Sunday, with both Major Break and Veronica Jane winning their respective races. Today Major Break starts in the Grant Plumbing Ltd Otaki Cup Mobile Pace, while Veronica Jane steps out in the Bebbington Country Cup Handicap Trot.  “They both won well on Sunday but…

by Michael Guerin Hall of Fame driver Ricky May couldn’t work out what he was more impressed with after Sunday’s $25,000 Donegal House Marlborough Cup. Because he was mighty impressive with the untapped giant winner Wild Willow but just as full of praise for the two trainers holding him together. Wild Willow made it five wins from just 10 starts but well over two years apart in the grass track Cup, overcoming an early check to do it. That saw him settle lengths off the pace but the big son…

by Brigette Solomon New Plymouth trainer Brodie Ellis was thrilled to train his first winner today at Otaki when Cool Phelan took out the Kapiti Coast Harness Racing Club Trotting Cup. “It’s been a long time coming after running a lot of placings along the way” said Ellis, “This girl has given us some good thrills already and it was pretty awesome to get my first win in a cup race, it definitely made the drive home tonight a pretty good one.” Driven by Dylan Ferguson, Cool Phelan started the…

by Adam HamiltonChampion trotter Just Believe has been retired. It turns out his typically brave second to Oscar Bonavena in the Group 1 NZ Trotting free-for-all on November 15 was his farewell. Co-trainers Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars today confirmed the global superstar had run his last after niggling issues emerged during that hugely successful NZ campaign late last year. “It’s with a tinge of sadness, but an overwhelming sense of pride we announce the retirement of our champion, Just Believe,” Tubbs and Sugars posted on social media. “We could…