By Michael Guerin Trainer David Butcher says there is a very good reason he isn’t driving Caulfield on his home track at Cambridge today. “I thought I should put Benjamin on to keep him happy since we working together now,” laughs Butcher. The father and son (Benjamin Butcher) have kind of teamed up at David’s property, where they both have horses. “I’d say we are working in together,” says Butcher. “Ben has a few of his and helps with mine and he does the odd breaker too. “A while back…
Category: Punting
It’s Tough looks tough to beat
By Michael Guerin Colin DeFilippi would love to give Katie Cox a small Christmas present at Ashburton today. DeFilippi and his wife Julie are looking after talented two-year-old pacer It’s Tough for regular trainer Cox as she undergoes treatment for cancer. Cox’s battle is well known in harness racing and the DeFilippis have three of her horses to in work until Cox is back ready to resume training. “Katie used to work for us and we loved having her here,” says Colin. “We were admant she should go to university…
Industry Update – What the Board are Talking About
Industry Update – What the Board are Talking About from Mauro Barsi, Chief Operating Officer December 2023 I begin this report by wishing our CEO, Gary Woodham, the best for a swift and full recovery from his recent medical event. We know that he is on leave until at least February next year and remain excited about seeing him back in the office and on track again soon. Code FundingCode Funding is up for renegotiation and we have had our first meeting already. We are particularly focussed on ensuring that…
Club News – Kapiti
Media Release : Kapiti Coast Harness Racing Club Race Day Thursday 4th January 2024 The Kapiti Coast Harness Racing Club holds its annual harness race meeting at the Otaki Racecourse on Thursday 4th January 2024 in conjunction with the Otaki Maori Racing Club as a dual code race meeting. This is the fourth occasion on which this has occurred in recent years. Gates open at 10:30 a.m., and the first race is at 11:27 a.m. It is anticipated that there will be six harness races on the programme, with a…
Beach Ball could have the advantage
By Jonny Turner After his scintillating Group Three victory on Grand Prix Day, it is clearly an advantage for Beach Ball heading into the Group One Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup. The pacer heads south for trainer Brendon Hill and driver Ricky May after running away from his rivals to win the Summer Cup Free-For-All, crucially beating his main Invercargill Cup rival in Self Assured. Self Assured now faces the big task of turning around that defeat, which came off level marks from behind the mobile, while giving Beach Ball…
Positive reports for Millwood Nike
The racing career of unbeaten pacing superstar Millwood Nike could be saved. Monday was D-Day for the three-year-old glamour filly who was pulled out of the New Zealand Oaks as the $1.20 favourite two weeks ago after showing signs of lameness. That was soon diagnosed as a small tear in a front leg tendon which was re-scanned yesterday and had it worsened Millwood Nike would have been retired to stud. “We got a positive report,” said co-trainer Mark Purdon. “The damage in the tendon hasn’t gotten any worse and our…
Leap To Fame could tackle Race by Grins
By Adam Hamilton It was long believed Leap To Fame would tackle Perth’s slot race – the Nullarbor – around the same, but owner Kevin Seymour ruled that out today. “He won’t be going to Perth, but we’re looking seriously at NZ,” he said. “We think it’ll be an easier trip and a more suitable race. If he goes to a slot race, it will be Cambridge.” Leap To Fame stamped his greatness with a dominant Brisbane Inter Dominion final win in front a roaring and adoring Albion Park home…
HRNZ Office Hours 2023/24
HRNZ would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a festive and safe New Year. The office is closed from noon Friday 22 December and will reopen on 8 January 2024 at 8.30am. There are staff assigned to provide core services during this period. These staff are contactable between 27 December – 29 December and 3 – 5 January on 03-964-1200 or FreePhone 0508-427-637 or email admin@hrnz.co.nz Enjoy all the racing that’s on all over the break and see you all in 2023.
Leap To Fame and Just Believe star in ID Grand Finals
by Adam Hamilton Nathan Purdon stood amongst the crowd at a packed Albion Park as local hero Leap To Fame smashed the track record for the biggest win of his career in last night’s Brisbane Inter Dominion. With Purdon’s stable star Akuta bound for Australia in a few weeks, he got to size-up his major rival. Leap To Fame is “very likely” to chase the Group 1 Hunter Cup at Melton in early February and that’s Akuta’s first big Aussie target. “That was great to watch …. the crowd ……
The race within the race in Rangiora Summer Cup
By Jonny Turner Despite being training partners and husband and wife, Colin and Julie DeFilippi will go head to head in the Rangiora Summer Cup on Sunday. The DeFilippi stable will have a big hand in the grass track feature when starting the favourite Here’s Herbie and the well-supported Heza Sport. As well as training the pair, the DeFilippis also own their two starters, with Julie the owner of Here’s Herbie while Colin races Heza Sport. Here’s Herbie was a runaway winner of the recent Geraldine Cup, and he looks…