Category: Punting

Southerner star kicks off big weekend for southern scribe

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk He calls himself “the King of Content” and Jonny Turner is hopeful his King’s Birthday weekend is going to get off to an early and successful start at Addington tonight. As an Invercargill-based racing journalist his stock and trade is writing about all things related to harness racing and producing content for his social media channels, especially from his home patch south of the Waitaki. But the proud Southlander also literally puts his money where his mouth is. His latest “project” is Southside…

Awkward draw for Larry’s comeback

NZHarnessNews

by Adam Hamilton The champ is back. Leap To Fame takes the first step towards what could and should be an assault on the New Zealand Cup when he returns from a spell at Albion Park on Saturday night. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon opted to sharpen-up the champion five-year-old with a 1660m mobile race before trying standing-start racing for the first time a week later in the Flashing Red at Albion Park. The Flashing Red and the $100,000 Group 2 Redcliffe Cup on June 29 are the pivotal races where Leap…

Kim Butt heads to Addington after Timaru treble

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Just days after landing her first ever driving treble, Kimberly Butt is seeking further success at Addington tonight – but knows it won’t be easy. At Timaru on Sunday she had wins with Spirited Lou and Lester for Rakaia trainer Warren Stapleton and then capped off an already successful day by winning the last with Jazzys Upstart for her employers Brent and Tim White. It was the first time she’s had three wins in a day in more than a decade of race…

Butt takes handy quartet to Timaru

NZHarnessNews

By Mike Love Woodend beach trainer Bob Butt heads to Timaru on Sunday with a team of four, three of which step out for the first time under his care. Race 1 the Bronsan Transport LTD Passing Lane Trot over the 2600m stand will see Pandemic front up again after a third on debut. “He’s quite a nice horse. He’s come through his debut run well. He’s got the ability to win a maiden pretty quickly.” Despite Butt’s confidence around the Love You gelding, there is a belief that the…

Oh Micky big chance to make it three from three

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner You just can’t keep Jonny Cox and Oh Micky out of Southland. While both are officially stationed in Canterbury, they’ve been spending a fair amount of time in the deep south recently. Oh Micky is unbeaten from the Cox stable after her purchase out of Southland. The mare won her first start for the trainer-driver at Winton before making it two from two at Addington. Oh Micky has headed back down south in the hope she can make it three from three on Saturday in the Woodlands…

Hot favourites to dominate Cup night

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin They are two old men playing a young man’s game. But that doesn’t mean Mach Shard or Self Assured can’t win tonight’s $250,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup at Alexandra Park. Mach Shard is nine, retirement home time for most elite horses, has had 107 starts and in Crystal Hackett has a young junior driver who a month ago had never won a Group 1 race. Yet if you had only ever seen his last two starts, stunning victories in the Taylor Mile and NZ Messenger, you would…

Finals day for maidens at Rangiora

NZHarnessNews

By Mike Love Woodend trainers Craig and Aimee Edmonds will have be dual threats in today’s Anne Thompson Graduation Series Finals at Rangiora. In the $22,000 Trotters’ Final they line up Four Wise Women and A Fine Patrick. Four Wise Women is unbeaten in her only two race day appearances to date, one of which was a heat of the series, and A Fine Patrick won another heat in his only run this preparation. “They’ll both be very good chances,” said co-trainer Craig Edmonds. Four Wise Women, who will be…