Emily Murphy brings you Winter Weigh In, your place for Thoroughbred racing news, reviews and insights throughout the colder months. This week Aidan Rodley joins the team to take a look back at local and international racing from around the globe. Winter Weigh In, May 19
Month: May 2025
Chase A Dream fails to impress in Tuesday trial
By Michael Guerin Chase A Dream’s Queensland campaign is hanging by a thread. The rollercoaster four-year-old didn’t thrill co-owner and trainer Mark Purdon with one of his below performances in a three-horse trial at Pukekohe on Tuesday. Chase A Dream took on stablemates Rubira and comeback pacer Akuta in the 2050m mobile, with Purdon driving Chase A Dream and giving them a small start early to try and maximise the trial’s effectiveness. He then looped the field to lead but was run down by Rubira, leaving Purdon pleased with that…
Team Whitelock is going Next Gen
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Next Gen has just got some serious sporting star power. Successful breeders/owners Braeden and Caroline Whitelock purchased a filly at this year’s National Yearling Sales and have now roped in their four rugby playing sons into the ownership. George, Adam, Sam and Luke Whitelock will race the filly along with their Mum and Dad. “It’s the first time for the four boys ever,” says Braeden Whitelock. The syndicate will be known as “Team Whitelock”. “They’ve always had an interest in it but they’ve…
Antino Heads 2025 Doomben Cup Field & Odds
Antino and Pride Of Jenni Headline Tight Doomben Cup Betting Showdown The elite action of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival continues this Saturday with the Doomben Cup 2025, shaping up as a fascinating betting contest with Tony Gollan‘s in-form gelding Antino and Ciaron Maher‘s tenacious mare Pride Of Jenni locked in a tight battle for […] The post Antino Heads 2025 Doomben Cup Field & Odds appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au.
Gift produces dream Melbourne Cup start
A perfect gift continues to keep on giving for expatriate Kiwi horsewoman Emma-Lee Browne who is now in the luxurious position of having a guaranteed Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) runner with a homebred. Pakenham-based Browne and husband and training partner David produced Basilinna (NZ) (Staphanos) to triumph in the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington to earn a golden ticket into the spring staying feature. Basilinna is a daughter of the late Shinko King mare So Royal, who was purchased by David as a present for his wife. “It was…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 19 May 2025
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Tuesday trial at Pukekohe has ID2025 implications
By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s chances of having a serious Inter Dominion pacing contender this winter could be finalised at a quiet Pukekohe trial meeting on Tuesday. That is if any horse can be termed a serious contender going to Queensland to take on local champion Leap To Fame on his home track at Albion Park. The Inter Dominions move to July this year and revert to two rounds of heats on July 5 and 12 into the July 19 pacing final for A$1million. The stake increase will go some…
HRNZ at AEIMA 2025: Working Together to Advance Equine Welfare and Safety
Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) was proud to represent the harness racing community at the 2025 Australasian Equine Industry & Management Association (AEIMA) Animals in Emergencies and Disasters Conference, held at Massey University’s Large Animal Teaching Unit on May 9-10. The conference brought together a wide range of equine professionals — from veterinarians and scientists to welfare advocates and racing officials — to explore current challenges and innovations across the industry. HRNZ’s representative was Education and Animal Care Manager Natalie Gameson. The conference included hands-on, scenario-based training which gave the…
“May” day at Rangiora
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk More than half a century after his first success, veteran Methven-based trainer Terry May was back in the winner’s circle at Rangiora yesterday. The 92-year-old combined with Slyx in the Anne Thompson Pacers Graduation Final, with the Terror To Love three-year-old having his first win at start number three. To make it even better this was a family affair – the horse was driven by son and Hall of Famer Ricky May, and bred by Ricky’s wife Judy. “It was a big thrill…
Harness 5000 races to kick off at Timaru
Nominations close tomorrow (Tuesday) for the Harness 5000 Maiden Series that gets underway at Timaru this Sunday (May 25). The Series is for non-winners whose sire stood for an advertised service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception. Sunday’s series opener will be worth $12,000 for 3YO and older pacers. The first four place-getters are guaranteed a place in the $15,000 Final at Addington on Friday, June 13, if nominated. A second harness 5000 heat will be held at Ashburton at their King’s Birthday weekend on…