Category: Meeting Previews

By Jonny Turner Tim Williams couldn’t have been better dressed for his 800th driving win in New Zealand with Aardie B Miki at Winton on Wednesday. Williams weaved a path for the three-year-old to be able to sprint best to seal the milestone victory in the colours of his employer Stonewall Stud. Delighted to score his 800th victory, the reinsman couldn’t think of better colours to notch his milestone victory in. “It’s a big thrill, obviously great to get these colours on they’re a big part of what I do…

By Adam Hamilton Mark Purdon’s Aussie raid has been delayed another week. The champion trainer confirmed he and son Nathan were still focused on chasing Victorian riches with pacing stars Akuta and Don’t Stop Dreaming and had planned to send the pair across to focus on Ballarat Cup night on January 20. Now, the glamour pacing pair won’t arrive in Victoria until after Ballarat. “Don’t Stop Dreaming just didn’t pull up as well as hoped from the last start and needs a bit more time,” Mark Purdon said. “We’re on…

by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Following on from grandfather Frank, and her father Scott it’s now Ryleigh Phelan’s turn to make her way in the sport. On Sunday the youngster made a winning debut in a Kidz Kartz race at Cambridge. “I was nervous, I had butterflies,” Ryleigh said, “but it was real fun.” Ryleigh has been driving at club events and the like for two years. But it was only after she turned 10 last week that she was eligible to drive at Kidz Kartz events. Partnered with…

By Mike Love A winner on debut, Majestic Sunday gave Leeston trainer Murray Alfeld the perfect start to 2024 by taking out the Banks Peninsula Welcome Dave Butts – Raceday Secretary Trot at Motukarara on Sunday. “I’m really happy,” said Alfeld, “he went big. He was well back and I thought he might get third or fourth but he’s just jogged it.” Majestic Sunday began well for driver Colin DeFilippi, and settled three and four back the fence. DeFilippi waited patiently for a gap to present itself up the long…

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Hailing from one of harness racing’s best known and most successful families, Chris and Kimberly Butt produced a notable first at Motukarara yesterday. The two siblings quinellaed race 2, the Bernie Hutton Memorial Pace, both driving five-year-old sons of Sweet Lou in Lord Mudrick and Spirited Lou. “We don’t drive against each other that often,” Kimberly told Harness Unhinged’s Nigel Armstrong post race. “And that is the first time,” she said of their quinella. Their father is three-time New Zealand Cup winning driver…