Category: Meeting Previews

The Southern triple-header for summer

NZHarnessNews

With six Group races, a host of country racing and a range of bonuses and other incentives, the Southern Region is gearing up for a bumper summer. In December and January there will be nine meetings at southern venues, including at holiday hotspots like Omakau, Roxburgh and Cromwell. There will also be what is being billed the “Southern Summer Triple”. The Invercargill HRC, Central Otago TC and Northern Southland TC will host six Group races, starting with Invercargill Cup day at Ascot Park on December 20. The total stakes for…

Rangiora track update – December 13

NZHarnessNews

The Rangiora all weather track was inspected this week following severe winds last Sunday, leaving it in need of repairs. John Denton and the Rangiora track staff will spend Monday/Tuesday undertaking remedial work, including applying a significant amount of new material onto the surface.  Current expectation is it will be completed next week and in time for the next all weather meeting on January 1. Rangiora will also host a 10 race programme on the grass this Sunday.        

Butcher chasing more Group 1s at Alexandra park tonight

NZHarnessNews

It’s Friday night with racing at Auckland and Addington and while Zachary Butcher vies for dual Group 1 glory at Alexandra Park the likes of IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup rivals Republican Party and Mo’unga will battle it out further south in the Summer Cup. The fillies and mares will take centre stage at Alexandra Park with the first ever running of the TAB Queen of Diamonds Trot and the Woodlands Stud Queen of Hearts Pace. Both are Group 1s worth $100,000. Butcher keen to make “great” year even better…

Thornley leading the charge at AYDC

NZHarnessNews

Kiwi representative Sam Thornley now leads the Australasian Young Drivers Championship after a brilliant effort at Bathurst in New South Wales last night. The Canterbury-based reinsman had a second and a win to go to 43 points after four heats of the championships, eight points clear of his closest challenger Victoria’s Ewa Justice. Heading into the second night of the championships he was fifth. In the first heat last night he was second with Special Spin, behind Justice and Romero, while in the second he got the perfect trip and…

Mare runs “cracka” ahead of Invercargill Cup day meeting

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner  Patience paid off when Seacracka ran to an easy fresh-up victory at Oamaru yesterday. The four-year-old made her first outing since October last year a winning one when speeding home in slick closing sectionals to win for trainer Jonny Cox and driver Carter Dalgety. Seacracka competed in good company for the late Katie Cox before she was sent for an extended spell and then joined Jonny Cox’s barn.  Judging by her trials leading into her victory, and her Oamaru performance, she’s returned bigger and better for it. …

Telfers head south with three talented fillies

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner  The Canterbury raid is on ahead of Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup Day. As they have done ahead of several of Southland’s best meetings in the past, Stonewall Stud’s Canterbury team are in the south to compete in the final southern lead up meeting before Invercargill’s big day on December 20. Trainer Amanda Telfer is in Southland with three talented fillies who will be boost their Invercargill Cup Day hopes with victories at Winton on Thursday. As a race winner, Spicey Crunch looks handily placed…

Abernethy aiming for more success at Manawatu today

NZHarnessNews

By Brigette Solomon  Driver Jay Abernethy has already scored a winning double at Manawatu this week and hopes his luck will continue tonight with a handy book of five drives that include both Tuesday’s winners.  Abernethy’s first win on Tuesday was with the Arna Donnelly trained Rough And Ready who took out the Hawera Harness Racing Is Good To Go Are You? Mobile Pace. Abernethy quickly found the front to dictate the pace throughout. The Somebeachsomewhere gelding was full of running and looked in no danger of being beat in…

News Briefs : Dec 11

NZHarnessNews

A remarkable father and son trans-Tasman success story, a milestone for Murray Gibbs,  and changes to the feature race calendar and the Rangiora trials all feature in this week’s News Briefs.  Two wins, two countries, same time  Father and son Kirk and Tristan Larsen (pictured above)  completed a remarkable double on Sunday, winning races at the same time in two different countries. Kirk drove Falcon’s Watch, paying $23.90, to win at Wingatui in Otago while Tristan reined home Maestro, also at double figure odds ($14) to win the Gunbower Trotters…