Category: Punting

November’s breeding and ownership winners announced

NZHarnessNews

In a new initiative to highlight those that help keep our sport going Harness Racing New Zealand has decided on a new monthly award for its breeders and owners. All owners and breeders who win a race during the month will be eligible, with a random number generator selecting the two winners. Trophies will be sent to both winners each month. October’s inaugural winners were Benjamin Young, a co-owner of Sailor Boy, and Gavin Turner, who bred, trains and races Sir Monty. And the winners for November are (owner) Matt…

Latest from the trials – December 12

NZHarnessNews

Every week we look at the trials and workouts from right around the country. Who’s impressing and who looks ready to race? Wyndham Workouts Thursday 7th DecemberWeather Fine Track fast Superfast Ronnie (3c Superfast Stuart – Hazel Maud) The Brown trained trotter was solid throughout for Brent Barclay, stepping nicely and trailing two and three deep throughout, challenged leader 400m out and had little trouble getting the upper hand over the final stages. MR:2:12.8, 800m in 63.8, 400m in 31.7. The qualifying time was not electric but the dam won…

Aardie’s Express all the rage for Queen Of Hearts

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin One of the last Group 1s of the season is set to have one of our shortest price favourites at pacing’s elite level all year. Because after Aardie’s Express drew seemingly perfectly at barrier 3 for the $110,000 Woodlands Stud Queen Of Hearts at Alexandra Park on Friday, she is going to dominate betting and be most people’s multi anchor. The pacing season has not been without its Group 1 hotshots, Millwood Nike being the most obvious, but Aardie’s Express will be long odds-on after she won…

Swayzee favoured to do Inter Dominion – NZ Cup double

NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton Swayzee has the draw to add the Inter Dominion final to his recent New Zealand Cup romp. Jason Grimson’s latest and best star yet had a big win in the barrier draw with gate three, compared to his half-brother and main danger, Leap To Fame in gate six. It sparked a dramatic change in betting with Swayzee firming from as much as $4.50 pre-draw into $2, while Leap To Fame eased from $1.65 to $2.60. Grimson is trying to become the first trainer in Inter Dominion history…

Berger in with a chance to win his own race at Manawatu

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Cambridge trainer Mike Berger has travelled south for today’s meeting at Manawatu – and it feels like an ambush. Much to his surprise race 5 is the Happy 70th Birthday Mike Berger Mobile pace. “I didn’t know anything about it,” Berger says, “plus I didn’t want the whole world knowing how old I was!” Berger turned 70 over the weekend. “I asked whose idea it was but haven’t heard a thing as yet,” he laughs. “But it’s pretty cool. I’ve always enjoyed the…

Next gen Kiwis heading to IDs big finale

NZHarnessNews

While there are no Kiwi trained horses and/or top drivers competing on the final night of the Inter Dominions in Queensland this Saturday, there will still be some involvement from this side of the Tasman.  The Australasian Young Drivers’ Championships, featuring top Kiwi juniors Sarah O’Reilly, Zev Meredith and Crystal Hackett, will have their big final night, after a series of heats during the week, starting Tuesday, and two young Kiwis, Anna Mangels and Olivia Thomas will be involved in the Inter Dominion Mini Trot Championship. To see more on…

Purdon’s split second decision pays dividends on GP day

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner Pulling the left rein proved to be a case of pulling the right rein for Mark Purdon in the Group One New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All at Addington on Grand Prix Day. Purdon left punters gasping with a lap to go in New Zealand’s biggest trotting sprint when he elected to stay three back on the markers with the red-hot favourite Oscar Bonavena. But those same punters were left counting their cash when Purdon shot his star trotter along the inner to claim his second big Group 1…

Under the radar trotter wins at Geraldine

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Trainer-driver David McCormick was equal parts delighted and surprised by Maui’s win in the Ecolab Handicap Trot at Geraldine on Saturday. The five-year-old son of Peak was too good for his rivals on the grass at Orari, just a week after dead-heating for second at Methven behind runaway winner Oscar Bonavena. “I was surprised that no-one was picking him – not one person picked him after that second to Oscar.” “I thought that was strange.” While the tipsters didn’t have him in their…

A Grand Prix Group 1 day to remember for Team Dunn

NZHarnessNews

by Mike Love Outstanding wins by Tyron Eros and Sunnys Sister gave the country’s leading trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn a Group 1 double at Addington yesterday. Tyron Eros was far too good for his rivals in the IRT Ace of Clubs two-year-old old colts and geldings trot at Addington yesterday. “We were pretty confident. He’s got the ability and does everything right,” says co-trainer Jenna Dunn, “we had a bit of luck with the favourites galloping at the start. Any win is a good win, but when they win…

Purdon-Phelan combo nab Grand Prix Group 1 double

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Northern trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan pulled off the ultimate team work double at Addington yesterday. The pair capped a wonderful last 14 months at the home of Canterbury harness racing when Merlin led throughout to win Garrard NZ Pacing Derby on Grand Prix Day a race after stablemate Duchess Megxit won the Group 1 The Box Seat Ace Of Diamonds for juvenile pacing fillies. The double is the northern stable’s fourth and fifth major race victories at Addington from small numbers since October last year,…