Category: Punting

by Gayleen MacKinnon The Kidz Kartz Franklin Cup certainly made for an exciting New Year’s Eve at Alexandra Park. Despite wet conditions turning the track to slushy, young competitors showcased their determination and skills in abundance. The first place was claimed by Zoe Smith from Taranaki, who expertly steered her drive Nightmare to victory. Zoe, only fourteen years old, has been involved with Kidz Kartz for three years now since she attended a Taranaki Kidz Kartz open day with her family. This race marked Zoe’s debut at Alexandra Park –…

by Bridget Solomon The North Island welcomes in the New Year with grass track racing at Tauherenikau Racecourse tomorrow featuring the Connie Stewart NZSIR Wairarapa Cup Handicap Pace. From their Auckland base, Steve and Amanda Telfer bring five horses to the meeting with some good form behind them. Prince Miki is the first of the Telfer runners in Race 1, the Homegrown Butcher, Deli & Pantry Mobile Pace over 2000m. The three year old gelding was 2nd behind Yourdoinamazinsweety on debut at Alexandra Park on the 15th December when finishing…

by Jonny Turner Tim Williams hopes he can be on the right side of the battle of tactics set to play out in the Group Three Central Otago Cup at Omakau on Tuesday. The reinsman knows he will need to be on his game in the first Group race of 2024 when he combines with the talented Ohoka Connor. Ohoka Connor is precariously placed in the small but select field for Omakau’s big annual feature, having drawn outside a last start Group One winner in American Me despite being a…

Canterbury reinsman Ben Hope capped off his junior drivers career in style with Homebush Lad winning the Reefton cup and creating harness racing history on December 30th. He joins the open driver ranks from today and will be looking to begin that part of his career well with a decent book of drives at Rangiora. Hope wrapped up his junior career with 223 wins and over $2.8 million in stakes, including four Group One’s behind superstar trotter Muscle Mountain for parents Greg & Nina Hope. “The junior career has been…

by Michael Guerin Don’t Stop Dreaming may have sealed his open class credentials at Alexandra Park on Sunday night but that doesn’t mean he will become a big-time regular just yet. Because co-trainer Nathan Purdon says while Don’t Stop Dreaming is good enough to race in a race like the open class A$500,000 Hunter Cup in a month they will target four-year-old races while they can. Don’t Stop Dreaming arrived in the big time on the last day of his three-year-old career, given a beautiful run by Tony Herlihy he…

Woodend beach trainers Greg and Nina Hope created history yesterday when Homebush Lad won the Rosco Contractors Reefton Cup. He is the first horse to have won 3 consecutive Reefton cups. Driver Ben Hope was thrilled with the 9 year old Mach Three geldings performance. “He’s a really cool horse. When he’s on song he’s a lovely horse to drive. To get 3 Reefton Cups is really cool.” Homebush Lad began well from his 20m handicap. Settling 5th on the markers early in a strung out field, Hope waited patiently…

by Michael Guerin Champion trainer Mark Purdon is adamant Don’t Stop Dreaming is ready to step up to the big time at Alexandra Park tonight but whether than means beating stablemate Akuta is another matter. Don’t Stop Dreaming races in open class for the first time in tonight’s $60,000 Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup, the highlight of a New Year’s Eve meeting far smaller than it used to be at The Park. One of our two star three-year-olds this season (alongside Merlin), Don’t Stop Dreaming clearly has the motor for open…

The slushy track was no problem for Sharkie’s Girl with her dominant win last night in Race 3, the Happy New Year From Woodlands Stud Mobile Pace. Trained by John Dickie, the mare was rated perfectly by Stephanie Burley in the event for Junior Drivers. From a starting draw of 5, Burley sent Sharkie’s Girl forward to lead where she remained throughout before kicking away from the field to win by 5 and 3 quarter lengths in a time of 2.42. “I was quietly confident as I thought she was…

Class prevailed when Alta Meteor bounced back to winning form in the Motukarara Christmas Cup on Friday. Driver Tim Williams took no chances with the Stonewall Stud pacer, parking out over the last 800m of the event before the three-year-old ran away to score. Williams was thrilled with the performance, which looks to have booked Alta Meteor a trip north to the upcoming Nelson meeting. “Speaking with Mandy (Telfer) after the race, we might go for one of the days at Nelson next,” Williams said. “He will let us know…

They are always the colours to follow over the West Coast circuit, and today at Reefton punters can find some value in the Woodend Beach trainers Greg and Nina Hope team as they line up six solid chances. Driver Ben Hope talks us through their chances runner by runner. Race two Racingmissgracie ($8.50FF) comes in fresh, but with good standing start manners will look to race handy. “Her trials have been okay. I think today’s run will do her the world of good.” Race four Juliette Shard ($21.00FF), the well…