By Michael Guerin Local trainer Jason Teaz has four horses he loves all facing the same problem at Cambridge tonight. Teaz was on a golden run with the likes of Brookies Jaffa, Noble Count and Ultimate Moment a few months ago and all three start tonight as well as a smart maiden mare in Ima Sportyangel. The problem with golden runs is they cost you ratings points and Teaz, well known as a broadcaster as well as a trainer, says his stable stars are now paying the price for the…
Category: Punting
Akuta injured and immediate future in doubt
By Adam Hamilton Superstar pacer Akuta’s Australian trip is off and his immediate racing career is in limbo. Trainer Mark Purdon revealed his stable star injured a tendon in a training mishap on Wednesday and he fears it could be “quite serious.” “We won’t know the full extent until the swelling goes down a bit and we can get it scanned, which might be two weeks,” he said. “At this stage we’re worried it could be quite serious given the amount of swelling.” Purdon said Akuta pulled a shoe off…
Aldebaran Floss breaks winning drought in style
By Dave Di Somma Harness News Desk Megan Swain was more than a little chuffed when driving home from the Ashburton races yesterday. She’d just seen Aldebaran Floss dominate the Rosebank Life Care Mobile Trot, leading from start to finish for Sam Ottley. “I was a bit worried when she kicked clear at the 600 but I was stoked alright,” Swain says. Aldebaran Floss flew the gate from a wide draw (9) and pressed on to the lead, and never really looked like getting beaten. She paid $12.70 and $3.50.…
Draft dates calendar “not done deal”
Harness Racing New Zealand would like to remind everyone in the sport that last week’s draft dates calendar is just that – a draft. Since it was released there has been an outpouring of comment, and in some case strong criticism, with many believing the new calendar is set in stone. “There has been a lot of feedback from people thinking this is a done deal. It is not,” says HRNZ General Manager – Racing, Catherine McDonald. Included in the draft is the potential to have upwards of 86 more…
Bolt expected to bounce back for TAB Trot
By Michael Guerin One of the reasons for Bolt For Brilliance’s below par spring has been revealed. After returning with a brilliant win at Alexandra Park after 10 months off the scene, the former Rowe Cup winner never hit his true peak on his southern campaign that left trainer-driver Tony Herlihy scratching his head. Bolt For Brilliance didn’t appear to be breathing well when he ran fourth in the Dominion and vet checks back in Auckland failed to diagnose why. It was only when Herlihy was able to get a…
Money flows in for Wavewatcher at Ashburton
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Oamaru trainer Eion Latimer says he “nearly fell over” after seeing the market move on his horse Wavewatcher at Ashburton today. The Downbytheseaside four-year-old will have his 19th start in race 3, the Red Park Farm Mobile Pace. While a win has so far proved elusive Wavewatcher has been crunched from an opening quote of $11 into $4.20 on the fixed odds, with Latimer as surprised as anyone about the amount of money on his horse. “It wasn’t me,” he said. “I didn’t…
Aussie stars return ahead of Hunter Cup
By Adam Hamilton Two of Akuta’s major Hunter Cup rivals return to racing this weekend. Recently crowned Inter Dominion champion Leap To Fame and Miracle Mile hero Catch A Wave will have their only Hunter Cup lead-up runs in different states. Leap To Fame, who has been freshened since his breathtaking Inter Dominion romp at Albion Park on December 16, returns at the same track in a 1660m free-for-all on Saturday night. While Catch A Wave, who sparkled winning a Melton trial last night (Monday), now looks set to resume…
Tim Trathen has birthday to remember at Nelson
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk What a day Tim Trathen had to mark his 55th birthday. On Sunday at Nelson Trathen’s speedy mare Ooga Chaka, a $900 purchase, won her third race in a new track record at Richmond Park. “The fact that we are from Nelson originally and friends and family were there and it was my birthday it just worked out super well,” says Trathen. And he’s dined out on the success a bit too. “I’ve watched a video a few times,” he admits. When pressed…
Dunn’s remarkable winning run at Richmond Park
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk To use a common cricket analogy, John Dunn extended his remarkable strike rate at Nelson with another “five-for” at Richmond Park yesterday. It was the fourth time he’s had five or more winners in one day at the venue, and the eighth time overall. “I love the track and there’s always great weather,” Dunn says, “it was a great day and a big team effort.” Making it all the more special was the fact the Diamond Racing partnership of Robert and Jenna Dunn…
New challenge faces Alta Meteor in Nelson Classic
By Jonny Turner A different kind of challenge awaits Alta Meteor following his outstanding win in the Nelson Cup. The Stonewall Stud pacer shrugged off mid-race work as he outstayed his rivals in the 3000m on Friday for driver Tim Williams. Race conditions couldn’t be much more contrasting with the four-year-old setting out over a mile, from the outside of the gate, in the Nelson Classic on Sunday. But with the form he is in, Alta Meteor looks right up for the challenge. “It will be interesting – it is…