Category: Punting

Kaikoura Trotting Club committee “over the moon” after successful meeting

NZHarnessNews

Apart from a few “tweaks here and there” the Kaikoura Trotting Club believe they are close to the event they want it to become as a lead up to IRT New Zealand Cup week. “The racing was great, we got good crowds and the turnover was exceptional,” says Club President Ben Smith. The South Bay race course, generally acknowledged as one of the most scenic anywhere in the world, hosted eight races under the Ocean Ridge Fast 10 concept on Sunday October 29, followed by the more traditional Alabar Kaikoura…

Sires’ Stakes update – November 8

NZHarnessNews

The NZ Sires’ Stakes Board wishes everyone racing over IRT NZ Cup Week all the very best of good luck & especially to those with horses in the: – Woodlands Stud NZ 2YO C & G Final– Nevele R 3YO Fillies Final– Dunstan Horsefeeds 2YO Fillies Final– Bob McArdle Southern Mares Classic While it is a busy time of year the Board also wishes to advise that 2YO Sustaining Payments have been emailed/posted but these are not due until Friday, December 1st 2023. This payment is for current yearlings that…

Second line draws for the favourites in IRT New Zealand Cup

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin As bad barrier draws go this is as good as it gets for Akuta in Tuesday’s $750,000 IRT New Zealand Cup at Addington. The hot favourite will start from wide on the second in the 3200m, which hardly sounds ideal but co-trainer Nathan Purdon isn’t worried for two reasons. Purdon was at Addington preparing for the Cup trials when he heard the news Akuta will, if the emergencies come out, start from four on the second line on Tuesday. His next question produced the answer he wanted…

Luncheon and auction raises big money for Katie Cox appeal

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk The Katie Cox Appeal is now expected to be at around $300,000 after a massive last few days, including a Melbourne Cup fund-raising luncheon at Addington yesterday. The 33-year-old Canterbury trainer-driver is battling a rare form of lung cancer, with a trust fund set up to help pay for expensive medication. She recently started her first round of treatment. Trust founder Craig Wiggins told the 200 people at Tuesday’s luncheon that the total was already at $195,000, after a number of sizeable donations,…

NZ Cup and Dominion Trot Rankings

NZHarnessNews

Beach Ball bounces into IRT New Zealand Cup field The final rankings are out for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington next Tuesday (Nov 14), with Beach Ball making the most of one last chance to make the field. Last week the Kevin Chapman-trained Somebeachsomewhere four-year-old was ranked 18th and three places away from the Cup field, but he is now up to 15th (and into the Cup field) after beating fellow Cup runners Macandrew Aviator, American Me and Republican Party at Addington last Friday night. A winner…

The latest from the trials – November 4

NZHarnessNews

Now that many of the very best horses are coming out to play we are regularly updating what’s happening at the trials right around the country. Here’s the latest installment. Motukarara Workouts Saturday 4th NovemberWeather Fine Track Good I Spy Diamonds (He’s Watching – Supreme Gem) The McDermott trained filly did a nice job to outfinish her 3 rivals. MR:2:10.1, 800m in 59.0, 400m in 28.5. This filly is a half to handy types in Ruby’s Delight (11 wins), Sophie & Topaz (3 wins each) and the dam won eight…

Aussie News : November 5

NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton Ladies In Red stamped herself as the best Australian mare of the modern era with a stunning Group 1 Queen of the Pacific at Melton last night. The mind blowing win moved trainer Emma Stewart to say: “She’s a freak.” Ladies In Red was having her just third run back from almost a year out and destroyed a vintage crop of mares – including Encipher and Amore Vita – to win by 11.6m. Her 1min53.8sec mile rate for 2760m took a thumping 1.8sec off the race record…

The Green team one to watch at Invercargill

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner A good day out at Ascot Park is exactly what Kirstin Green’s team needs before New Zealand Cup week. The trainer-driver has Addington targets in mind for most of the strong seven-horse team she has entered. Betting Sensation will clash with her stablemate Carrera Sunset in a small but talented lineup of three-year-old fillies. After an excellent last-start second at the same track, Betting Sensation looks among the best of the Green team stepping out at Ascot Park. “I think Betting Sensation – she’ll have the fitness…

The big questions after last night’s racing at Addington

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Lead up meetings to the biggest carnivals can often be a very cold entree before the main course, an entree with very little meat on the bone too. Friday night at Addington was anything but, with the longer than usual gap before IRT New Zealand Cup day meaning plenty of stars used it to get ready for Cup week and Group 1 targets beyond. After a night when Diamond Racing (Team Dunn) started the evening with four straight training successes were we left with more questions than…