Category: Meeting Previews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Cambridge-based trainer-driver Benjamin Butcher will take the next step in his recovery with a drive at the trials next week. The 29-year-old has not driven in a competitive race since a crash at Alexandra Park last August when he broke his shoulder and suffered a serious concussion. “I’ve had a lot of advice about head injuries and I am certainly not rushing anything,” says Butcher. “I’ll go the trials next week and then see how I’m feeling after that.” At one stage the…

Addington Raceway is set to shine even brighter as racing under new track lighting begins tonight. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) has been working closely with Signify, a world leader in lighting, to ensure the upgrade to the track lighting is world class, and meets the highest standards of safety for horses and all participants. To see Addington’s media release click here 

It’s the end of another week and that means Friday Night Lights at Addington and Auckland. Both venues will feature eight races starting at 5.35pm  and 5.43pm with Lakelsa chasing Group 1 glory at Addington and Nathan Delany hoping to celebrate his 25th birthday in style at Alexandra Park.   Lakelsa’s big Group 1 test at Addington  By Michael Guerin If Lakelsa wants to become a Group 1 winner at Addington tonight she is going to have to keep improving. The good news for trainer Regan Todd is he thinks…

 A refurbished track and a number of Sunday meetings will be features of Manawatu’s 2025 season. With the club’s first meetings of the year on next week (February 11 and 13) the Palmerston North track has had a major upgrade. “We have had the top done before but this is bigger than that, we are scrapping right down to the base,” says Manawatu Harness Racing Club President Dan Lynch, “the last time that happened was 18 to 19 years ago.” “We have John Denton (HRNZ’s Track Facilities Manager) here and…

Sad news about harness racing writer and enthusiast Don Rae, two new races at Winton and Addington, and the yearling parades down south all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Vale Don Rae Breeding authority and harness racing enthusiast Don Rae has lost his battle with cancer. The 67-year-old lived out a lifetime dream when he was registered as an official owner of a horse in the IRT New Zealand Cup last November, thanks to the kindness of Tact McLeod’s owners Trevor Proctor and Diane Dynes. They hosted Don for…