The NZ Cup week Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from all over the country, including the pre Cup trials, for the week ending 7/11/2024 Kevin Kline (2g Always B Miki – Matai Mies) Tr. R Green Pukekohe (31/10/240 In a three horse heat, the Green trained 2YO led from gate rise and did enough to hold Makorori (trail) out with a sharp last 800m.MR:2:02.7, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 28.0. Unplaced in a couple of 2YO races, the last back in August but like many by his sire, should get better with time. Dam was…

Tomlinson the trainer debuts at Oamaru today

By Jonny Turner  Win, lose, or draw Kerryn Tomlinson will notch another milestone in her harness racing career on Thursday. The Oamaru horsewoman will line up her first starter as a trainer at her home track in race 5, the Brad Williamson Racing Stables Mobile pace.  Tomlinson has plenty of experience preparing horses at Brad Williamson’s stable, but at Thursday’s Oamaru meeting she will put her name up in lights for the first time.  “I am looking forward to it, I have got a couple of horses in work and…

Cracking fields confirmed for harness racing’s biggest day

By Michael Guerin Harness racing looks set for a betting bonanza after some stunning fields were drawn for IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day at Addington raceway on Tuesday. The Cup is full and fantastic, there are plenty of Australians in the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion and the Sires’ Stakes Final shapes as a classic North versus South contest. Add in a TAB Junior Free-For-All boosted by a Miracle Mile winner in Catch A Wave, Sooner The Better and Cup emergency Aroda from Queensland and this is a Cup day…

THE ASCENT and THE VELOCITY take shape

The final pieces have now been found for the two new $500,000 slot races on Show Day at Addington Raceway. In both the Majestic Horse Floats LP THE ASCENT and the Hill Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY 10 trotters and 10 pacers have been nominated, meaning that unless something unexpected happens those horses will contest the two races on Friday, November 18. Most of the horses had already been confirmed. In THE ASCENT Look To Da Stars, trained by Mark and Nathan Purdon, is the 10th and last trotter to…

Aussies top final rankings for IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup

It’s Australian pacers one-two-and three in this week’s final IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup rankings. It’s been a turbulent week with on-going uncertainty about whether the champion Leap To Fame would cross the Tasman and then the sudden re-emergence of defending champion Swayzee, after his connections made the late payment of $28,750. Both, it now seems, will take their place at Addington in the $1m feature next Tuesday. Swayzee, as defending champion, is the top ranked horse ahead of Leap To Fame with Auckland Cup winner Just Believe third.  Mo’unga…

It’s all go for Larry’s New Zealand Cup

By Adam Hamilton  Leap To Fame’s New Zealand Cup raid is back on target. Owner Kevin Seymour confirmed a much-anticipated blood test came back all-clear today. “It’s a huge weight off our shoulders. It’s been a stressful few days,” he said. “The blood test was the missing piece. Grant (Dixon) couldn’t fault the horse, but we simply wouldn’t travel with him unless his bloods were good. “They came back at lunchtime and it was great news. We’re full steam ahead again now.” The pleasing blood results capped a big day…

Mo’unga’s connections ponder start in IRT New Zealand Cup

By Michael Guerin Now that the main job is done Regan Todd will have a think about the far bigger job. But don’t be surprised to see Alabar Kaikoura Cup winner Mo’unga in next Tuesday’s $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup after a drama-filled day in the lead-up to the iconic race. The Cup market was already in the shadow of the will-he, won’t-he come story of Leap To Fame, something that will be finalized after blood test results on Tuesday afternoon. Then came the left-field stunner that defending champion…

Doody gets off to hot start at Manawatu

By Brigette Solomon  It was a cracking start to the day for local Palmerston North trainer Stephen Doody who took out the first two races of today’s Manawatu meeting. “It was a good day, they all went pretty well and a couple should be well placed for next week after today’s runs,” said Doody. In the first event of the day Doody trained and drove Johnny Who to win the Matt Hickey Club Patron Handicap Trot over 2500 metres. “He’s gone pretty good today and it helped that a few…

10 out of 10 performance from Mo’unga at Kaikoura

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  For a horse named after an All Black first five, Mo’unga produced a 10 out of 10 performance in this afternoon’s Alabar Kaikoura Cup. The Bettor’s Delight five-year-old made it nine wins from just 21 starts and put himself  very much in the frame for a IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup call up at Addington Raceway next Tuesday. Trained by Regan Todd and driven by Robbie Close, Mo’unga started well and went to the lead before getting the perfect trail behind Tact McLeod.…