Category: Meeting Previews

By Michael Guerin Southland’s best harness trainer starts a rare Alexandra Park campaign tonight with two objectives. One is winning either the Northern Derby or Oaks, or both, over the next week. The other is taking three better horses home than the three he flew north. Nathan Williamson has become the dominant force in the harness racing stronghold of Southland, his team often dominating meetings and TAB markets in the deep south. But starting at Alexandra Park tonight things step up a level as he brings Dreams Are Free north…

By Jonny Turner Ben Hope hopes logic doesn’t apply when Muscle Mountain returns to racing in the Group 3 Lamb and Hayward Trotters Classic at Addington on Friday night. Muscle Mountain is set down for the first of several outstanding clashes with the horse who currently holds the title of New Zealand’s best trotter – Oscar Bonavena. Logic says Oscar Bonavena should have the wood on Muscle Mountain this week given the All Stars trotter has the benefit of several runs over summer. Muscle Mountain returns fresh up following his…

By Brigette Solomon The country’s leading trainers, Steve and Amanda Telfer send two additional horses south for today’s feature races at Manawatu and stable driver Joshua Dickie is confident of their chances. “There are several horses in our team that are capable of good performances but I’d say Joca’s Hill and Fernleigh Cash have strong claims,” says Dickie. Joca’s Hill starts in Race one, the Marty & Di’s Catering Handicap Trot over 2500 metres. The gelding has had just seven starts for three wins, the most recent of those at…

by Brigette Solomon Racing is back in the Manawatu today and junior driver Wilson House is feeling confident with the team of eight horses trainer Michael House has contending at the meeting. “Most of them have been racing and working well and I’d like to think most of them can feature in the placings” says House. Their first starter is Love Is Everywhere in Race two, the Happy Birthday Allan Brown Handicap Trot over 2500 metres. The mare ran second at Hawera two starts ago and has won two wins…

Woodend beach trainer Matt Purvis will be looking to continue his success at Reefton today after winning two races at Westport on Friday. “We had a really good first day, so with a bit of luck they should back up today.” The Finisher and Don Juan were both victorious on friday for the Purvis team, and will meet each other today in race 6. Don Juan ($5.50FF) will be driven by Mia Holbrough, who paired with the Vincent gelding on friday to win at odds of over 30-1. “He’s probably…

A tropical vacation could end on the perfect note for trainer Amanda Telfer with victory in the Group Three Fillies Classic at Ascot Park today. Telfer has been based in Southland since Music Mistress ran to an impressive victory in her second career start at the same track last week. Telfer and her classy two-year-old have encountered a wide range of Southland weather conditions during their stay, but they have done nothing to knock Music Mistress’s progress.  “She seems good, I am happy with where she is at and what…

by Jonny Turner Sam Thornley is keeping his feet on the ground ahead of combining with a strong book of drives at Westport today.  The junior reinsman will link up with two genuine hopes in both the feature pace and the feature trot at Patterson Park. Just Ask Paddy comes into the Kawatiri Cup after a spectacular win in his last start at Waterlea in which he fell after passing the post. Thornley is hoping to see a more polished version of the pacer when he returns to grass track…

By Michael Guerin Winning would be a bonus when Old Town Road resumes at Alexandra Park tonight. That is not to say trainer John Dickie doesn’t want his stable star to win the $40,000 Lincoln Farms Founders Cup and he is adamant he can. But first and foremost Dickie is just happy the race, in fact the whole Alexandra Park meeting, is being held at all. The meeting will consist of just seven races with a total of 47 starters. The fields are quite even with few standout favourites so…

Selections for Auckland today.      Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race TrottechForm Analyst    Race 16.35pm 4 Nelson’s Boy2 Scout’s Honour1 Skipper5 Potter   Race 27.05pm 5 It’s Electrifying4 Lincoln Lou2 Sadhaka1 Justyouwait   Race 37.34pm 3 Leo Lincoln5 Precious Bet2 Onyx Shard4 Hadron Collider  Race 47.59pm 6 Great White4 Demon Blue2 Sugar Ray Lincoln5 Roy Kent  Race 58.24pm 6 Shake A Leg1 Dear God9 Beta Prepare3 Xcite Me  Race 68.50pm 2 Old Town Road5 Self Assured4 Mach Shard3 Kango   Race 79.20pm 6 All You Need Is Me5…

By Adam Hamilton Champion trainer Mark Purdon has put the disappointment of the Chariots Of Fire behind him and expects young star Don’t Stop Dreaming to run a huge race in the Miracle Mile.  By his exciting and lofty standards, Don’t Stop Dreaming was disappointing when only sixth as a commanding $1.80 favourite in last Saturday night’s Chariots Of Fire. “I’m just forgetting about the run, to be honest,” Mark Purdon said, “I expected more from him. The race wasn’t run to suit, but he still didn’t run to his…