Category: Punting

It’s Friday night and Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly has some key runners at both Alexandra Park and Addington. And she looks to have some good chances at both meetings.  Inter island assault from Donnelly stable  By Michael Guerin Tonight is what trainer Arna Donnelly hoped her training career would look like. Once known as the Cambridge horsewoman who improved other people’s cast-offs, Donnelly is now one of the most respected trainers in the New Zealand harness racing industry. Tonight she has some of the best horses competing at both Addington…

Todd Macfarlane has seen a bit in his time in harness racing, and now is looking forward to imparting some of that knowledge to the next generation. He’s just taken up a new part-time role with Harness Racing New Zealand supporting youngsters, mainly cadets and junior drivers, in Auckland and the Waikato. “I just want to support what Roddy’s doing and help out where I can.” Roddy Butt was employed earlier this year as HRNZ’s new Development Co-Ordinator, based in Canterbury.  Macfarlane says nurturing young talent is the key to…

By Brigette Solomon  Two very contrasting milestones were recorded at Cambridge Raceway last night, with Cliff Wilson scoring his first win in the amateur ranks, and Logan Hollis reining home his 100th winner. Wilson’s winning drive was with the Steve and Amanda Telfer trained Medina Magic who took out the TFS Horse Transport Mobile Pace over 2200 metres. It was a fitting victory with Wilson having been a valued staff member at Stonewall Stud for the past 10 years. The win was also the first of a training double for…

It’s 20 days until the running of the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 12 so why not look back at the winner of the great race 20 years ago. In 2004 it was Just An Excuse By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk There was drama before, during and after Just An Excuse’s win in 2024. Before the great race the defending champion was far from healthy. He had jarring up issues, was off his food and his lead-up form did not look promising.…

Show day Twilight slot races taking shape  The slots are filling up fast for THE ASCENT and THE VELOCITY as part of the Show Day Twilight races at Addington Raceway on Friday, November 15. In the past 24 hours two more horses have been announced, with Tyron Eros for The Tyre General Giti in THE ASCENT and He’s From Heaven as Entain’s pacer for THE VELOCITY. The Kiwi-bred He’s From Heaven has been racing in Victoria and has a career record of eight wins from 16 starts. Tyron Eros, bred…

By Adam Hamilton  Aussie champions Leap To Fame and Just Believe will both cap their preparations for New Zealand Cup week when they race this weekend. As expected, Leap To Fame will tackle the 2300m Battle Of Beersheba free-for-all at Menangle on Saturday night. All going well there he seems a certainty to make the trip to Christchurch and in the latest TAB Market is now a $1.75 favourite for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington on Tuesday, November 12.  The top two Kiwis Merlin and Don’t Stop…