From Monday, 4 August 2025, the deadline to notify drivers will be 24 hours from withdrawals. For example: For Addington on Friday, nominations will close at 12:00pm Monday and withdrawals at 2:00pm Monday. The driver notification deadline in this case will be 2:00pm Tuesday. This change is part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining professionalism and ensuring wagering information remains accurate and consistent. If you have any queries regarding this update, please contact bureau@hrnz.co.nz.
Day: 30 June 2025
Kiwi Duo Dominate Redcliffe Features
by Adam Hamilton The Kiwi rampage in Queensland rolled into a third week when young guns Captains Mistress and Rubira starred again at Redcliffe last night. Captain Mistress set the tone when she made two wins from as many starts in Queensland with a narrow but fantastic win in the $52,000 Group 3 Redcliffe Oaks. With trainer Grant Dixon having five of the 10 runners in the Oaks, Captains Mistress; Kiwi trainer-driver Nathan Williamson made a surprise trip across the ditch to drive her. It was never going to be…
Millie Let Loose & Punters didn’t see her coming
by Rob Courtney When your horse wins at Addington on a Sunday & pays $48 to win its probably fair to say that your confidence levels were most likely ‘luke warm’ to say the least but for part owner Stewie Sutherland it must have been something of a ‘time warp’ as the Superfast Stuart-Foot Loose mare put on a faultless display in recording her 2nd win from just her 9th raceday start. “She had gone a couple of nice trials recently but run ‘no time’ “ according to her trainer…
Sires’ Stakes deadline approaching
As Executive of the NZ Sires’ Stakes Board, Martin Pierson has a reminder for breeders, owners, and trainers considering their next move. “Now’s the time to confirm your commitment,” says Pierson. “Foal nominations, yearling sustaining, and three-year-old sustaining payments all close on Tuesday, July 1st, 2025.” This deadline arrives as the Sires’ Stakes Series continues to gain momentum, following increased funding through Harness Racing New Zealand’s The Future Starts Now strategy. “For the cost of a few bags of feed, you can ensure your horse remains eligible for some of…
Moonlite Blood provides fitting victory For Stuart
By Mike Love Moonlite Blood and driver Robbie Close delivered a poignant victory in the Remembering Murray Brown Leading Southland Trainer Mobile Pace at Addington yesterday, providing Loburn trainer Andrew Stuart with one of his most meaningful racing moments. Stuart had a special connection to Brown through his early harness racing education, making the victory all the more significant when Close guided Moonlite Blood to success wearing Brown’s colours. “If it wasn’t for him I probably wouldn’t be in the game,” said Stuart. The race unfolded perfectly for the five year old…
Bergerson takes top gong at Entain Industry Excellence Awards
Sam Bergerson, New Zealand’s leading trainer, was recognised by his peers when receiving the top gong at the Entain Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday night. Bergerson is part of the Te Akau Racing juggernaut, training in partnership with Mark Walker for the last two seasons, securing the trainers’ premiership last season and currently leads this year’s premiership with 127 wins and more than $9.1 million in stakes earnings. The 31-year-old’s achievements were recognised on Sunday night, receiving the Equine Licence Holder Excellence Award before being bestowed the overall Supreme Entain…
Jeffries recognised as rising star in breeding industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday. Growing up on a sheep and beef farm in Tauranga, Jeffries’ father Warwick Jeffries delved into breeding on a small scale and was rewarded in a big way, breeding glamour mare Legarto out of his mare Geordie Girl. Before she was a three-time Group One…
O’Sullivan Doyle takes out National Racing Woman Award
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday. A daughter of hall-of-fame jockey turned Group One-winning trainer Lance O’Sullivan, O’Sullivan Doyle took out the National Racing Woman of the Year category for her pursuits in marketing and communications, alongside work as a presenter and ambassador. “I was super excited to just be nominated, alongside some very worthy finalists,” O’Sullivan Doyle said. “To win was great, it was an…
Memorable weekend for Lawson
Waikato horseman Simon Lawson has an eye for a bargain, and the product of one of his purchases turned into his first stakes winner over the weekend. As Waikato Stud’s dry mare manager for a couple of years, Lawson was looking to get into breeding himself a few years ago and an unplaced mare called Mohegan Star caught his eye on online auction house gavelhouse.com, and he secured the daughter of Reliable Man with a final bid of $1,100. She quickly proved to be an astute purchase, with her half-brother…
Goodwood celebrating surprise outcome
Goodwood Stud’s William Fell is enjoying an exciting ride with unbeaten star steeplechaser Jesko. While it has been an unforeseen outcome, it’s nevertheless a successful one with the son of the late Atlante quickly rising to the top of the jumping ranks. The late bloomer won three on the flat before a successful transformation for trainers Shaun and Hazel Fannin with the former also taking the reins. Jesko began his hot run at Wanganui before claiming the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m) and Wellington Steeplechase (4900m) titles. “It wasn’t what we were…