Wingatui trainers Brian and Shane Anderton will head to Cromwell on Sunday with a strong hand, led by Mayor Of Norwood who will attempt to seal his berth north to contest January’s Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham. The six-win gelding finished fifth first-up over 1400m at his home track earlier this month and his handlers have been pleased with his progression heading into Sunday’s Happy hire Cromwell Cup (2030m). He has been lumbered with top weight of 61kg but will get some weight…
Month: November 2025
Ranger leading Junior Drivers as series heads to Addington tonight
By Michael Guerin A remarkable stat for one of harness racing’s most surprising careers could get another boost in the national junior driver’s champs at Addington tonight. The series brings together 12 of our best young drivers for six heats, two at Cambridge last night, two at Addington tonight and the final two at Methven on Sunday. The series was for years casually referred to as “the boys’ champs” because until about 20 years ago most of those competing in it were male. That name clearly doesn’t suit any more…
Todd Mitchell with strong hand at Alexandra Park tonight
By Michael Guerin Todd Mitchell is looking forward to getting back on two speedy trotting stablemates at Alexandra Park even though he knows he might just be keeping the seat warm on one of them. The four-time New Zealand Cup- winning driver partners two winning chances from the Wallis/Hackett stable including one of the big movers of the northern trotting spring in Belle Neige (R6, No.10). Belle Neige won three races in a month in August-September and while Mitchell has driven her before he gets on tonight as regular driver…
Kingsclere 3YOs chasing black-type glory
Kingsclere Stables will have representation in all three three-year-old stakes races this weekend, and trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are hopeful they can get their hands on some of the spoils. Circus Maximus gelding Road To Paris (NZ) (Circus Maximus) has made quite the impression on the Cambridge horsemen, which was enhanced by his last start victory over 1400m at Avondale. They have taken a patient approach with the gelding to date, and they are looking forward to testing him over a mile for the first time when they…
Jack set to sail in Wanganui Cup
Sailor Jack could have a busy few weeks ahead of him if he performs up to expectations in Saturday’s Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m). The Shaun and Hazel Fannin-trained eight-year-old heads into the race in good form, having placed in his last two outings, including splitting subsequent Group winners Agera and Bozo in the Feilding Cup (2050m) earlier this month. “He is in good form at the moment, he ran a really good race behind Agera in the Feilding Cup,” Shaun Fannin said. “Agera went on and won…
Team Tyler set to go the distance
Kelvin Tyler will be well represented over two days at Cromwell with a particularly strong hands in the main staying events. The Riverton trainer’s team at the Central Otago meeting on Friday will be headed by White Robe Lodge & Auripo Enterprises Memorial Cup (2030m) contenders King Of The Castle and Vamos. The latter is also likely to run at the Otago Racing Club’s fixture on Sunday in the Happy Hire Cromwell Cup (2030m) along with stablemate Master Marko. Tyler will also be keeping an eye on Otaki where Freddie…
Bosson cleared to resume riding
After an extended stand-down from riding due to concussion, leading jockey Opie Bosson has been cleared to resume duties in time for an important Group One date. Bosson was sidelined at the Avondale race meeting on November 6 after being unseated while pulling up on one of his mounts. He was subsequently diagnosed with concussion and had to comply with standard protocols before being able to get back in the saddle. He was cleared to begin trackwork duties on Monday and on Wednesday gained a full clearance, which while too…
Whites take five to Oamaru today
By Jonny Turner It is not even December and the White stable’s annual southern raid is already on. Trainers Brent and Tim White campaign plenty of horses in Otago and Southland in summer and this year it will be no different. But before the Ashburton trainers try to continue their success they’ve had in Central Otago in recent seasons, they’ll pop over the border to Oamaru on Thursday. Among the five-strong White team is Snooowgood, whose last start was behind Dash Dosh, who went on to win the Group 1…
Junior Drivers take centre stage at Cambridge tonight
By Jordyn Bublitz The New Zealand Junior Drivers Championship gets underway at Cambridge Raceway tonight, and among them is first-time contender and Canterbury-based junior driver, Mia Holbrough. Holbrough has already enjoyed a standout season, producing a career-best 14 winners and 40 placings, and her selection for this year’s championship is the reward for a year of consistency, growth, and confidence. For Holbrough simply lining up is a dream realised. “It feels incredible, being in the Junior Champs is something I’ve dreamed about since I got my licence, it means a…
Hustler draws well in Zipping
Grahame Begg’s She’s A Hustler (NZ) (Ace High) has received the ideal draw of three in Saturday’s Group 2 Zipping Classic, after a field of 14 accepted for the Caulfield race. The daughter of Ace High, who was narrowly defeated in the G2 Matriarch Stakes in her most recent start, is yet to miss the top two in 10 career runs but is racing at Caulfield for the first time, making the good draw even better. Alalcance, who ran well into third behind She’s A Hustler in the Matriarch, will…