Category: Meeting Previews

by Jonny Turner Nathan Williamson saved one of his best for last as Sand Wave capped an outstanding 2023 for his trainer with his big win in the Gore Cup yesterday. The pacer overcame a 30m back mark to seal yet another win in the Southland trainers’ premiership for Williamson with his outstanding fresh-up victory. Previously placed at Group One level, Williamson was thrilled Sand Wave was able to stamp his class in the Gore Cup after more than nine months away from racing. “He’s genuine, a good tempo always…

by Mike Love West Melton trainer Margo Nyhan will team up with partner Peter Davis, presenting five runners on day two of the Westport circuit today. After a testing track on day one, Davis is hoping for a smoother ride in the sulky as he drives four of their five runners. “We think the track played a role in how some of them went on the first day. The track was a bit worse than we would have expected. The weather has been good since, so we are hoping for…

by Mike Love Johnny Mac produced an outstanding stayers performance to win the Westport Cup at Paterson park yesterday for Prebbleton trainer Michael House. Johnny Mac was able to settle handy early for driver Wilson House from his front line draw. Electing to bring up the running line from the 2000 metres, House was able to find cover before being left parked again from the 600 metres when favourite Franco Marek worked to the lead. The pair broke away from the field with Johnny Mac outmuscling Franco Marek to win…

by Mike Love Franco Marek looks the horse to beat in today’s Pulse Energy Westport Cup at Patterson Park. The 5 year old A Rocknroll Dance gelding has not won a race in almost a year after winning at Banks Peninsula on December 29 last year, but Lincoln trainer Greg Manson suggests “Frankie” may be about to kick another goal. “He seems really well. He’s come through the Methven run and has worked on to my liking.” Franco Marek ran a credible third in his previous start at Methven in…

By Brigette Solomon The wet weather and slushy track were no hindrance to Dontstopmenow in the Dunstan Horse Feeds Cambridge Xmas Handicap Pace tonight. The three year old colt by Captaintreacherous won comfortably in the hands of his trainer and driver Tony Herlihy to bring up his 5th win. “He’s a nice horse coming through the grades and I was pleased to get that win with him, he will likely head to the paddock now and be back later in the new year” says Herlihy. Starting from the unruly position…

By Brigette Solomon Pukekohe trainers Peter and Vaughan Blanchard will be hoping their run of success continues at Cambridge Raceway’s iconic Christmas Eve race meeting tonight. The father and son partnership start five horses with the first of those being God Dam to be driven by Sailesh Abernethy in Race 2, the Summer of Racing @ CR Starts 7th Jan Mobile Pace over 2200m. “She’s new to the stable and we are still getting to know her, but we’ve been happy enough with her work through the week” says Blanchard.…

By Jonny Turner A brilliant tactical drive saw the Group One dreams of driver Sarah O’Reilly and trainers Brent and Tim White come true with American Me in the Invercargill Cup at Ascot Park yesterday. O’Reilly added the biggest prize yet to her already glittering resume as a junior driver with a pinpoint effort to win Southland’s biggest harness race. But before she could taste the joys of victory, the reinswoman had to be told she won the race as she wasn’t totally sure after crossing the line. “It is…

2023 Trainer Stable Audits – completion of outstanding Improvement Notices While we appreciate that this is a busy time of year this is a reminder to trainers who have outstanding Improvement Notices from their 2023 trainer stable audits, to make sure that these are completed as soon as possible. It is important that these Improvement Notices are completed to ensure compliance with our Horse Care Rules and Regulations. If there are any issues in completing your Improvement Notices, please contact the RIB to discuss this with them in the first…

By Michael Guerin Warriors fans may have a new harness racing stable to cheer for. Because trainer Simon McMullan has based his stable colours on the New Zealand Warriors league teams jersey and they were in the winner’s circle for the first time at Cambridge on Thursday night. McMullan is a mad Warriors fan and wanted his colours to resemble they iconic blue with red, green and white V jumper and once you see the resemblance it will stick with you forever. Once the 34-year-old got the new colours the…

By Jonny Turner Some good old-fashioned horsemanship could be the key to Beach Ball breaking through at Group One level in the Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup on Friday. Beach Ball heads south for trainer Brendon Hill after an emphatic Grand Prix Day win in he hands of his now regular driver in Ricky May. Under Hill and May’s guidance, Beach Ball is in the early stages of turning into a standing start gem after previously being anything but from behind the tapes. With a 10m advantage of his main…