Category: Punting

Every week we look at the trials and workouts from right around the country. Who’s impressing and who looks ready to race? Chertsey trials Tuesday 21st NovemberWeather Fine / Track Fast (Ashburton) Paramount Lady (2f Tactical Landing – Paramount Faith) In the hands of her trainer Mark Jones, the 2yo half sister to Muscle Mountain went solo in this solid effort. MR:2:09.9, 800m in 60.6, 400m in 29.6. She qualified back in August but her three starts to date against the best 2yos have reaped little to date. Her breeding…

By Michael Guerin Northern driver Zachary Butcher faces two very big problems at Addington tonight, both from the same stable. And while he thinks he knows what he has to do to try and counter one, he isn’t so sure about the other. Tonight’s meeting contains many of the age group stars of pacing but the tricky issue for punters, and drivers like Butcher, is there is a much richer race meeting in nine days. That is the Grand Prix at Addington which contains classics like the New Zealand Derby…

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  Returning to racing in this country for the first time in seven months, High Energy will start a warm favourite in tonight’s $110,000 What The Hill New Zealand Trotting Oaks at Addington. Trained by the all-powerful Purdon Racing, the Father Patrick filly has a superb record of eight wins from 11 starts. Tonight she has drawn wide on the front line (8) but is still the top pick at $3.30 FF, ahead of Shez Bella ($5), Aroha Kenny ($5.50), Melsadele ($7) and Walkinonsunshine…

In this latest installment of breeding enthusiast Don Rae’s Behind The Breeds series he focuses on two recent qualifiers, Mantra and Lucky Money. By Don Rae Mantra, a two-year-old colt by Rock N Roll Heaven from the Auckland Reactor mare Tempest Bromac (out of the McArdle mare Tasmcmanian) was bred by I N Behrnes and Mrs A M Behrnes, and qualified at Pukekohe (left-handed) on Saturday, 25 November. Tempest Bromac is only eight years old and Mantra is just her second foal – the first, Storm Watcher, is a three…

By Jonny Turner Sagwitch added to his grand racetrack record when he ran to his 14th career win for trainer Syd Breen at Ascot Park on Wednesday. The nine-year-old relished the sprint conditions of race 9 to score another victory in his eighth season on the track. And the smile on Breen’s face after Sagwitch drove through along the inner to score for driver Mark Hurrell said it all. “I’m as proud as punch, he’s been a good old mate,” Breen said. Sagwitch has been with Breen throughout his 132-start…

By Michael Guerin Trainer Steve Telfer thinks he can still win tonight’s $25,000 Franklin Pacers Country Cup even without his first choice starter. Telfer was to line up Aardie’s Express in the 2700m standing start but after she only travelled home from Christchurch last week he decided to give her more time to recover. “So she will go to a mares race next week and the Queen Of Hearts the following week,” he says of tonight’s key scratching. That still leaves Team Telfer with Fernleigh Cash (20m) and Allamericanlover off…

Please find attached Official Notices for the following recent Regulation amendments: Minor Infringement Regulations Safety Number for Approved Tracks (Riverton) Prohibited Substance Regulations (TCO2)

Harness Racing New Zealand has seen reports highlighting the end of Operation Inca. However we are still waiting for official confirmation that the investigation has come to an end and that charges have been dropped. We are currently seeking that information and confirmation. It has been a challenging time for the industry and once we know more, we may well look to see what else is needed to support our participants and our integrity. In the interim we have no further comment as we believe there may still be outstanding…