Stephanie Faulkner was in the spotlight on her home track of Phar Lap Raceway on Tuesday, collecting a fitting victory for the connections of He’s Tunza Grunt (NZ) (Pure Champion) in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Waimate Cup (1600m). The meeting was initially set to be run on Sunday, but after heavy rain through the week, it was rescheduled to Tuesday, and that was telling in the testing track conditions on course. One runner that was always going to appreciate the ground was He’s Tunza Grunt, Faulkner’s four-win galloper who came into…
Month: June 2025
Reinvigorated Express Coup too tough at Timaru
Express Coup (NZ) (Shamexpress) returned to her form of old when taking out the George and Mary Hennessy Open (1200m) at Phar Lap Raceway on Tuesday, and trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman are hoping she can now fulfil the potential they saw in her formative years. The five-year-old daughter of Shamexpress jumped well from her ace draw and maintained her advantage on the inside for jockey Ashvin Goindasamy, taking on the pace making role. While she led the field into the home straight, stablemate Makabar (NZ) (Swiss Ace) loomed ominously…
Sharpe returns to defend NZ amateur drivers’ crown
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Andrew Sharpe is leaning on his winning experience from last year as he looks forward to this week’s New Zealand amateur drivers’ championships. The championships kick off at Cambridge on Thursday and then head to Addington for more racing on Friday and Sunday. Last year Sharpe, who works for Ray Green at Lincoln Farms in Pukekohe, won at his first attempt. He was third equal going into the final day only to win twice at Addington to leapfrog Michael House and Cheree Wigg…
4pm start for Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights will be brought forward half an hour this week. Addington will host 12 races on Friday starting at 4.08pm with Auckland’s nine race card kicking off at 4.48pm. Because of Addington’s early start Trackside’s Friday Night Lights (FNL) show will start at 4pm rather than 4.30pm. Addington’s last race is set for 9.43pm with Auckland wrapping up at 8.56pm.
Owner and Breeder of the Month winners in May
Every month HRNZ selects an Owner and Breeder of the Month award. It is done randomly with the only proviso being that you must have won a race during the month. For May Michelle Caig was named Breeder of the Month after Abull’s win at Winton on May 4 while Jono Ansley was the Owner of the Month after Double Parked’s success at Alexandra Park on May 23. Breeder of Month – Michelle Caig Abull’s more than five length win at Winton was his first success at start number seven.…
“Dead keen” Southland syndicate members buy second trotter
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Buoyed by the success of their first purchase, the Southland-based Broke Boys syndicate are doubling down. The group of 20 and 30-somethings started out with the very handy Ah Dinnae Ken and have more recently acquired a second trotter in Massive Merc. “With Ah Dinnae Ken we had a bit of money in the kitty so we thought we’d go again,” says syndicate spokesman Rory McCall, a sheep farmer from Gore (pictured above, third from right). McCall had previously raced some good performers…
Winter Weigh In, June 9
Emily Murphy brings you Winter Weigh In, your place for Thoroughbred racing news, reviews and insights throughout the colder months. This week we saw a potential new Steeple star in the making. Plus Sam breaks down all the action from a Super Saturday at Eagle Farm. Winter Weigh In, June 9
Berkley in high spirits after latest success
A determination to secure a youngster by Spirit Of Boom had a favourable outcome for Berkley Stud at Ellerslie. The Edwina Morris and Alan Jones-bred Boombox (NZ) (Spirit Of Boom) was successful just at his second appearance for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike. The two-year-old was offered through Berkley’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale draft and was knocked down for $50,000 to Jim Bruford’s Brewers Bloodstock. “That was a really neat result on Saturday after we had sold him to our good friend Jim Bruford, we’re very pleased…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 09 June 2025
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HRNZ releases 2YO Winter Schedule
Harness Racing New Zealand has released a provisional 2YO winter schedule, starting at Auckland and Addington this Friday. The schedule is for two-year-old pacers and trotters in both islands. “The idea is to provide owners and trainers with a clear runway to plan campaigns through the colder months and into spring,” says HRNZ’s Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden. The schedule outlines over 30 race dates at Auckland, Cambridge, Addington, Gore, Wyndham, and Oamaru, with indicative stakes ranging from $8,000 to $30,000. “It is indicative only at this stage…