A big Auckland meeting, featuring two $100,000 Group 1s, will highlight harness racing action this week. Manawatu will kick start the week with eight races today (Tuesday) starting at 4.21pm with Oamaru tomorrow and then Winton’s meeting on Thursday. Friday Night Lights will feature an Auckland-Addington double-header. The $100,000 Group 1 TAB Queen of Diamonds Handicap Trot and the Queen of Hearts Pace for the Fillies and Mares will be the night’s two features, along with the $60,000 Group 2 Franklin Cup and the latest Northern Metro Pacers and Trotters…
Category: Meeting Previews
Update on the stable audit review and welfare inspections
The Racing Integrity Board (RIB) has completed its review of the animal welfare audit program. Following valuable feedback from industry stakeholders we are introducing a revised system of steward’s inspections. This change underscores our commitment to addressing industry concerns and establishes an inspection model that emphasises practicality, enhances collaboration, and ensures a balanced and effective approach to compliance monitoring. At the same time, it reinforces our legislative responsibility to uphold high standards of animal welfare. By transitioning from the formal audit program to this more streamlined and cooperative process, we…
AYDC gets underway Tuesday in New South Wales
The Kiwi challenge to win the Australasian Young Drivers Championships (AYDC) starts at Menangle in Sydney tomorrow (Tuesday). Crystal Hackett (above), Sam Thornley (below) and Kerryn Tomlinson will compete against Australia’s top talent over nine heats, with the opening two heats both over a mile, at 5.12pm and 6.22pm. All three will debut brand new driving suits for the occasion. For Hackett it’s her third AYDC while Thornley’s last appearance was in 2022 when he was leading for much of the championships, only to finish second. This will be…
Awards Update
The 2024 season Awards night will see an important change to the age group and major awards and a new award recognising Club Contribution. The awards, celebrating the best performers and performances of the 2024 season, will be held at Addington Raceway, on Saturday, February 8. Next year’s awards will feature some important changes, with Australian-trained horses being eligible for age group and major awards. They will be judged on their performances on this side of the Tasman only. The age group and major awards will be decided by a…
Funding boost for racing will help create jobs in the regions
Harness Racing NZ has welcomed proposed changes that would give TAB NZ the exclusive rights for online racing and sports betting in New Zealand. Racing Minister Winston Peters said the Government will shortly introduce legislation to amend the Racing Industry Act 2020. “This is welcome news for everyone involved in the New Zealand harness racing industry,” says Harness Racing Chief Executive Brad Steele. The introduction of the so-called “legislative net” is aimed at stopping millions annually going to offshore racing and sports betting operators. “We are already seeing the fruits…
In-form Ferguson takes out Cups double at Wingatui
By Jonny Turner Craig Ferguson continued his spectacular run of form when winning both the Forbury Park pacing and trotting cups at Wingatui on Sunday. Ferguson produced Nutcracker for a most professional victory in the Kia Ora Campers Pacing Cup before Moment Of What continued his outstanding progression with his trotting cup victory in the Icon Interior Construction Trotting Cup. Just two days prior, the reinsman clinched the biggest win of his driving career when taking out the Group 1 New Zealand Derby at Addington with We Walk By Faith. …
Big Friday night for Butt and O’Meara
By Brigette Solomon A training double and a driving treble made for a very successful night for Bob Butt at Alexandra Park on Friday. The Woodend trainer-driver’s trek north saw him win with two of his own horses, Princess Meritaten and Gold Bullion, with Princess Meritaten being a standout winner for the night with her success in the Group 3 Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes. From barrier nine, Butt settled Princess Meritaten back in the field one off the fence and four back, while race favourite Lady Of The Light…
Draws not favouring Queen Elida and Minstrel in ID finals
By Adam Hamilton A shock third round heat defeat and tricky barrier draw has seen Kiwi-owned mare Queen Elida’s odds drift sharply for the Inter Dominion trotting final. The Brent Lilley-trained mare, who has run third in the past two finals, was $3 for the final before last night, but is out to $6.50. She will start from barrier five and despite having loads of early speed, her two main dangers – The Locomotive (gate four, $1.55) and Keayang Chucky (three, $5) – hve drawn inside her for the 2300m…
Ferguson looks to extend winning run at Wingatui today
By Jonny Turner Craig Ferguson may have to clear a little space in his trophy cabinet before Sunday’s Wingatui trots. The reinsman has been driving in the best form of his career recently and has collected three Group 1 trophies recently including the Garrards New Zealand Derby on Friday night with We Walk By Faith. While the conditions on the Wingatui grass may be a world away from the electric atmosphere of elite races at Addington, Ferguson’s winning hopes still look good. The reinsman combines with two big winning threats…
Selections | Wingatui
Selections for Wingatui today Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Jonny TurnerRacing Journalist Race 112.58pm 6 Tarragindi1 Almighty4 Niamh8 Birch Race 21.24pm 1 Donald Trot7 Miki’s Beauty4 Cold Pursuit10 Janaka’s Delight Race 32.00pm 5 It’s A Pleasure4 Jay R Tolkien8 Prosperity1 Crackasky Race 42.38pm 6 Airwaves3 Haley Robyn7 Paradise Valley1 Avenger Race 53.05pm 6 Blithe12 Our Superfund4 Top Pocket Chance14 Markthewarrior Race 63.39pm 9 Forever Arden6 Havarti Arden2 Lily’s A Star1 Asta Race 74.15pm 3 Nutcracker12 South Seas Rock8 Still Rockin4 Hacksaw Ridge Race…