Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) is looking for a highly motivated and organised individual to take on the role of Education & Training Coordinator & HERO Manager for a 12-month maternity cover. This dual role involves supporting and educating young industry participants while also leading the HEROprogramme, which promotes life after racing for Standardbreds. To find out more click here
Category: Punting
“Wow” moment for local trainer in Manawatu Cup
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A horse nicknamed “Boof” gave local trainer John Gommans a “wow” moment in last night’s Cartown Manawatu Cup Handicap Pace. Lord Delmar claimed the night’s feature thanks to a top drive from in-form junior Harrison Orange. Drawn five on the front line Orange made a quick start, getting the trail behind the pace-making Fredastaire. The combo then capitalized on the passing lane to make the lead and then fend off a challenge from Boudica, who had started off 20m and made a move…
Stars roll out on huge Friday night
Friday Night Lights steps up a level tonight, with four Group races at Alexandra Park and two at Addington, including the Group 1 $100,000 Fred Shaw Memorial New Zealand Trotting Championships. It promises to be a huge night with 22 races spread across five and a half hours of racing, from 4.49pm Marketplace’s eagerly-awaited return at Alexandra Park By Michael Guerin You know the young guns must be pretty special when they can put an Auckland Cup winner and a former Trotter of the Year in the shade. But that is…
Final flourish for Team Teal campaign
Harness Racing New Zealand’s eighth Team Teal campaign will wrap up with a big day at Motukarara on Sunday. The annual fund-raiser for ovarian cancer research started on February 1, with money raised every time a female driver wins a race. The money comes from HRNZ, clubs and drivers’ individual sponsors. So far the 2025 campaign has raised over $16,000, with 63 wins. Sam Ottley has the most with 14. On Sunday, the Team Hutchinson-sponsored race day at Motukarara, will see the campaign finish with a flourish. One of the…
Muscle Mountain and Queen Elida close in on $1m
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Dating back to the first race in 1908 no horse has a better record in the Group 1 Fred Shaw Memorial New Zealand Trotting Championships than Muscle Mountain. Heading into Friday’s edition of the race at Addington, the Greg and Nine Hope-trained star is vying for his fourth win in five years, with Sundees Son breaking his winning run with a race record 3:10.4 in 2022. That time is still the New Zealand trotting record (2600m – Mobile). Muscle Mountain is the only…
The Box Seat – March 11
Check out this week’s The Box Seat
In-form Crystal Hackett seeking more wins at Manawatu
By Brigette Solomon After a winning driving treble at Tuesday’s Manawatu meeting, in-form junior driver Crystal Hackett is hoping her luck can continue today when she partners Rough And Ready in the Cartown Manawatu Cup Handicap Pace (6.50pm). “It was nice to get rewarded with a treble after the trip down,” said Hackett, “Rough And Ready was really tough winning.” “I thought getting out and going was the only way to really get him into the race and he performs well when driven a bit tough as he doesn’t quite…
Brookies could be big player at Invercargill
By Jonny Turner Brookies Player gets the perfect chance to break back into the winner’s circle at Ascot Park on Wednesday. The six-year-old plummets down in grade into a very winnable race for trainers Ross and Chris Wilson in Race 3, Selling Call Craig At Harcourts Mobile Pace (4.37pm). To take advantage of it, Brookies Player must turn around a run of being out of the money since September of last year. The nine race winner and $1.60 favourite looks a big chance of doing just that given the pacer…
New export fee from June 1, 2025
An export fee is being introduced for New Zealand horses heading to China. Harness Racing New Zealand advises a fee of $300 plus GST per horse will be effective from June 1, 2025. From January 1, 2026 the full export fee will apply. “The fee has largely been introduced to offset the administration costs involved in processing these transactions, ” says HRNZ’s Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden. In recent years around 80 New Zealand horses have been exported to China annually. The fees will be collected by the…
Stars to shine under Friday Night Lights
By Michael Guerin Alexandra Park awakens from its summer slumber this Friday as some of the biggest names come to town for the first major northern meeting of 2025. As the countdown to the Harness Million meeting, the $1m Race by Betcha and even further afield the Rowe Cup begins, a mixture of young and old stars will make their way to The Park. Auckland Cup winner Republican Party returns in the Lincoln Farms Founders Cup, facing the outside draw as well as Mo’unga, Chase A Dream, big summer mover…