The spring is War Machine’s oyster with its plethora of Group One sprint options for rising star War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel), according to his co-trainer Ben Hayes. Hayes said he will need to discuss War Machine’s program with his brothers Will and JD as well as his connections before a plan is mapped out for the Kiwi import. Hayes also predicted that the best was yet to come from the four-year-old son of Harry Angel. “The scary thing is the way he looks and the way he’s racing he’s…
Month: June 2025
Teaz continues family legacy at Matamata
Former race caller Jason Teaz has formed a successful career as a harness racing trainer, but it was in the thoroughbred code where he was able to fulfil a lifelong ambition at Matamata on Sunday. Teaz, the son of former thoroughbred trainer Basil Teaz, was lining up his first thoroughbred in more than three years when Out Of Sight entered the starting gates in the Slattery Contracting 1200m on Sunday. The four-year-old mare made it a memorable occasion, storming home down the middle of the track to score by an…
Who Knows the limit for talented Wanganui mare
Who Knows has announced herself as a serious staying mare through the winter, and Niall Quinn has a range of options to consider for her after she returns from a well-deserved break. A daughter of Redwood, Who Knows only debuted as a mid-season four-year-old, but over the last 18 months, she’s won four races, and Saturday’s winning performance at Wanganui may just be her best yet. Coming off a luckless last-start second to McKhan, the mare started a $2 favourite in the Bullocks Whanganui 2040, with Kate Hercock back in…
Gifted Pier continuing to do Mum proud
Pier’s latest black type success at Eagle Farm prompted major celebrations, but there was also a bittersweet side for connections of the high-class son of Proisir. He demolished his rivals in Saturday’s Listed The Wayne Wilson (1600m) to further his record, which already featured three-year-old victories in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). Pier is trained by the father and daughter combination of Darryn and Briar Weatherley with the former sharing in the ownership group with wife Lou, long-time friend Barry Wright and…
Michael House prevails in NZ Amateur Driving Championship
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk After a close run series, Michael House is New Zealand’s champion amateur driver. The series concluded at Addington yesterday with House and Bruce Hadley both tied on 16 points. A countback then couldn’t separate the pair as both drivers had one win, one second and a third over the four races at Cambridge (Thursday) and Addington (Friday and Sunday). According to the conditions of the Championship “should no winner be identified at the end of the initial count back then the winner…
The Entertainer shines in winter cameo
Former Central Districts mare The Entertainer (NZ) (Staphanos) made a brief winter cameo at Oamaru on Sunday, headlining a winning double for Anna Furlong. Successful twice over New Zealand Cup Week in the care of Bill Thurlow, the mare is now based in Christchurch with Furlong, who presented her first-up in track conditions that weren’t entirely to suit the daughter of Staphanos. The market was mindful of her previous heavy track form, closing her at $8.50, but her class prevailed in the Rating 75 contest. Jumping well in the hands…
Collett all class in Kiwi return
Matamata was the setting for Samantha Collett’s first victory in the saddle, and on Sunday, she was back on the board at the course after a three-year stint riding in Australia. After winning three Group Ones in her homeland, Collett relocated to Queensland in October 2021 to ply her trade in Brisbane, where she rode over 150 winners and half a dozen of those at stakes level. She announced in May that she would be returning to New Zealand, and while not in any rush to return to riding, she…
Squire successful on hurdle debut
Matamata hurdler Squire (NZ) (Savile Row) commenced his jumping career in the best possible fashion at Te Rapa on Saturday, coming out on top in a tight tussle in the Waikato/BOP Owners Association Hurdle (2800m). The son of Savile Row broke through maiden grade just over a year ago in the care of part-owner Karen Fursdon, who entrusted Peter and Jessica Brosnan with the gelding as he switched to racing over fences. After trialling well at Cambridge, Squire stepped out on debut in the hands of Joshua Parker, who restrained…
Purdons go two from two in Brisbane
By Adam Hamilton It was a perfect start for Team Purdon’s Queensland raid at Albion Park last night. Mark and Nathan Purdon’s two raiders, Oscar Bonavena and Rubira, both won impressively. And Nathan Purdon was quick to add the pair had significant room to improve, too. Old Oscar Bonavena showed all his trademark speed and class when patiently driven by Adam Sanderson. The nine-year-old stalked a hot speed, loomed into the race coming to the final bend and cruised home to win without being extended by 4.4m in a slick…
Craig Sharpe looks to make his mark in amateur championships
By Mike Love The New Zealand Amateur Drivers championship will conclude today at Addington raceway with two final heats. Currently there are three leaders in the series locked up on seven points in Bruce Hadley, Cheree Wigg and Frank Phelan, while each driver has a mathematical chance to take out the series with only seven points separating all of the drivers. At the opposite end of the table on zero points is Craig Sharpe. However, Sharpe will drive the two warm favourites – the Matt Purvis trained Almighty Clever in…