El Nymph (NZ) (El Roca) is living proof of the old adage never look a gift horse in the mouth. The only problem is that Matamata trainer Nigel Elliott nearly did. A grey El Roca filly that had been passed in on gavelhouse.com came to Elliott’s attention but after inspecting her at Sonia Waddell’s Riverdale Farm near Tamahere, he decided she wasn’t the one for him. The next day, Waddell rang Elliott back and said he could have the filly for free as her breeders had two others out of…
Month: July 2021
Schofer looking to finish season with a bang
It’s been a gruelling few months for Hazel Schofer, but all her hard work and determination has paid off after securing the New Zealand Apprentice Jockey Premiership in the final weeks of the season. The Taranaki hoop has an unassailable 10-win lead over South Island apprentice Kozzi Asano ahead of the final day of racing on Saturday, and she said securing the title has been a big relief. “The last two months have been a bit stressful, but it is a huge relief to get it done,” Schofer said. “I…
Innes keen on what the new season holds
Leith Innes may be a senior statesman of the northern jockeys’ room, but he hasn’t lost his enthusiasm for what lies ahead on the feature race scene in the new season. Innes will sign off 2020-21 with 32 wins from 260 raceday rides, headed by his association with star three-year-old Aegon as well as passing the 1500-win mark. Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) winner Aegon, along with a number of others whose potential is as yet untapped have the 43-year-old jockey looking forward…
From the Chair
Industry Update from John Coulam, HRNZ Chair I am pleased to report that through Racing New Zealand a three year distribution agreement has been reached with the other codes that sees forecasted an additional $3.1 million due to harness for the 2021/2022 racing season. As a result, the Board of HRNZ last week approved the funding policy to clubs for next season. To enable clubs to complete their budgets for next season, they will have received communication on their funding. The great news is that clubs will see an improvement in stakes…
Southern Harness launch new digital initiative
Press Release by Southern Harness Monica Toretto Photography and Southern Harness Racing are excited to announce the launch of a new initiative for our region. This initiative is aimed at raising the profiles of Southland Trainers and the industry in digital form with a unique perspective. Formulated to showcase each trainer’s individuality yet together on one platform as part of the greater harness racing community. While results on the racetrack are obviously an important feature, the emphasis of this website is not on betting information but rather on a more personal…
Change of scene for Tommy Lincoln
By Adam Hamilton Former classy Kiwi pacer Tommy Lincoln starts the next chapter of his career when he tackles a strong race at Albion Park on Saturday night. After winning three of his four Queensland runs for Kiwi trainer Ray Green, connections decided to leave the four-year-old with Green’s host, Mark Dux, to continue his career in Brisbane. But Tommy Lincoln will have to overcome a wide draw (gate six) against some quality opposition like Mach Da Vinci (one) and Crunch Time (eight) over 2138m. The overflow of the hugely…
Junior premiership coming down to the wire
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk John Morrison and Sarah O’Reilly have been locked in a duel for the New Zealand Junior Drivers Premiership this season and it will come to a head at Addington Raceway on Thursday night. O’Reilly heads into the meeting in great form, having recently taken out the New Zealand Junior Drivers Championship earlier this month, but will have to be at her brilliant best in order to topple Morrison this week. She trails the West Melton horseman by four wins, but with five drives at…
Selections | Addington – Today – 29 July
Selections for today’s meeting at Addington – July 29 – Thursday Race Trottech Form Analyst Race 15.09pm 8 Riveered6 Keisha4 Eastwood Isabella9 Ashes Of Desire Race 25.39pm 3 Majesticmite8 Make My Sundon7 Faith No More2 Aldebaran Heather Race 36.09pm 2 Kikorangi Blue6 Sweet Affinity 7 Lancewood Louie8 Bender Race 46.39pm 12 Fighting Fire2 DD’s Super Stuart5 Full Of Hope 15 Springbank Mason Race 57.09pm 4 Cyrus7 Tiger Taylor5 Vesnina2 Itz To The Macs Race 67.40pm 6 Time In A Bottle7 Splash Cola8 The Dominator 2 Kowhai Sundown…
Schweida upbeat on London Banker and Princess Tenko
London Banker has not missed the places since moving to the Kelly Schweida stable. (Trish Dunell) Kelly Schweida says he would like to see London Banker “put them to the sword” when the gelding steps out in the second race at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The five-year-old has only had three starts for Schweida since arriving from New Zealand earlier in the year, and while he is yet to win one, the son of Tavistock has not missed the placings yet, including two narrow defeats at Eagle Farm in his…
Bowman & McDonald fined for COVID breaches in Queensland
Hugh Bowman was one of two star jockeys to cop a fine for failing to abide by Queensland’s quarantine rules. (Bradley Photos) Two of Sydney’s top jockeys, Hugh Bowman and James McDonald, have each been fined $1,000 over a breach of the Queensland Government’s health directions whilst in North Queensland on July 1. The star hoops had the penalty handed down to them by Racing NSW stewards for failing to self-isolate or quarantine as residents of a NSW Local Government Area subject to lockdown orders on or after June 11,…
