Lucky Mum and McGowans chasing Group 1 glory

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk It’s been 16 years since Pukekohe trainer Dave McGowan secured his last Group 1. Back then it was One Dream winning the 2007 Queen Of Hearts at Alexandra Park. Now McGowan, who trains with wife Clare, is becoming increasingly confident that Lucky Mum, a winner at Rangiora on Wednesday, could do the business in the Ace of Hearts for the two-year-old trotting fillies on Grand Prix day at Addington on December 10. “It’s been a while,” he says of the gap between Group…

Applications open for new driving tutors

In a new initiative to try and upskill the country’s drivers, Harness Racing New Zealand is on the lookout for three driving tutors. “These are brand new positions and will cover the whole country, there’ll be one up north, one in Canterbury and then a third in Southland,” says HRNZ’s Education Manager Natalie Gameson. The roles will be part-time and on a 12-month fixed term contract, involving between six and 15 hours a week depending on location and workload. “What we need is experienced and passionate people to not only…

Locals keen to make their mark at Manawatu

By Brigette Solomon Manawatu hosts the second of its two day meeting today and the locals will be looking for their share of the spoils. Palmerston North-based trainer-driver Stephen Doody has five horses engaged with the first two starting in Race 1, the Visit The Rugby Museum Handicap Trot over 2500m. “Mr Monty went a good race on Tuesday so he just has to do the same again and he should be a good chance,” says Doody, “and we have put removeable deafeners on Kingsclere in the hopes it might…

Stratford with strong team at Invercargill

By Jonny Turner The draws haven’t fallen Tony Stratford’s way, but the trainer’s team is showing all the right signs ahead of their missions at Ascot Park on Thursday. Stratford brings three in-form horses to Invercargill before heading to Timaru with two more strong chances on Saturday. Outback Man will be out to make it a perfect three from three in the Stratford colours in race 8. The pacer steps up to take on his toughest test to date, but there is little reason to doubt him going by his…

Dalgety feeling the “joy” ahead of Breeders Crown

By Adam Hamilton Gone are the days when the Kiwis came to Victoria in force to snatch Breeders Crown glory. A change in qualifying conditions and a move to later in the year has taken much of the attraction away from the once great series for New Zealand owners and trainers. But Cran Dalgety, who was once one of those marauding Kiwi trainers, will fly the New Zealand flag at Melton on Saturday night. Dalgety has won five Breeders Crown finals as a trainer, the latest with Katy Perry as…

Firsts for Wilson House and Lazarus at Manawatu

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  It was a day of firsts at Manawatu yesterday. In what was the latest of many successful trips north for the Canterbury-based father-son training-driving combo of Michael and Wilson House they combined for three wins with Boyz Invasion, Ask Me Lazarus and Bonney Eloise. It was Wilson’s first ever driving treble. “I’ve had a few doubles but never three before so that was nice, it was a great night.” Ask Me Lazarus also became the first progeny of the great Lazarus to win…

News Briefs : November 22

Butterworths buy Courageous Katie Courageous Katie, a yearling that raised $12,000 for the Katie Cox Appeal Fund, has been sold to some very high profile owners. The Creatine filly was offered up for sale by owner/breeder Gerald Cayford with all proceeds going to Cox who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer. It sold on Gavelhouse last Friday for $12,000 to well-known Victorian owners Merv and Meg Butterworth of Copy That fame. The money will be used for Cox’s treatment and on-going medical expenses. Merv Butterworth says…

Ultra consistent trotter looks to go one better at Rangiora

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A tough draw and a big field won’t make it easy but Natives Inferno is well overdue to get back into the winner’s circle at Rangiora today. The four-year-old son of Love You has only won once in 16 starts but has been a model of consistency of late with three second placings in a row. Last start, at Rangiora on November 10, Natives Inferno looked the winner only to be nutted late by Mr Love, who charged home from near last. “I…

McIlwrick claims treble at Winton

By Jonny Turner Outstanding feats had to take a back seat when Dreams Are Free produced an incredible win at Winton on Sunday. The two-year-old made headlines and sent social media into a spin with his remarkable recovery to win race 8. But there was plenty more to celebrate at the meeting, including the winning treble of popular reinsman Rory McIlwrick. McIlwrick is the right-hand man at Wayne Adams’ stable, with the pair producing two starters for two winners on Sunday. The first of those victories came with Claasee, who…