Kelvin Tyler will be represented by young and old at the Grand National opener on Saturday at Riccarton Park, including a pair of promising juveniles stepping out at three for the first time. The aptly-named Four The Moment and Fourofus will go head-to-head in the Christchurch Casino 30th South Island Awards – 12 September Three-Year-Old (1200m), both appearing off a spell after they quinellaed the Excellency Stakes (1100m) in April on their home course of Riverton. Only a nose could split them on that occasion and Tyler expects a similar…
Year: 2025
Friday’s top horse racing bonuses & promotions | August 1, 2025
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Addington to get Friday night Smackdown
By Michael Guerin Trainer Steven Reid almost doesn’t want to use the big “J word” when assessing the chances of debutante filly Smackdown at Addington tonight. But as is always the case Reid can’t help but be honest and frank about the recent stunning trial winner. “When she was coming up earlier in the season I thought there wasn’t anything between her and Jumal,” says Reid. There it is. Reid has mentioned Smackdown in the same breath as Jumal (pictured above), the Diamond Creek Stakes winner in April who is…
Draw huge help for Hawkeye at Alexandra Park tonight
By Michael Guerin Hot favourite Hawkeye Pierce could be forgiven for being a touch confused when he scores up from barrier 2 in the race of the night at Alexandra Park tonight. Because the four-year-old is far more used to bad draws and hard runs that what he faces in the Join TAB Racing Club Mobile over 1700m tonight (7.24pm). An impressive last-start winner when fresh up for trainers Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson, Hawkeye Pierce has been brave but often beaten, winning just three of his 16 starts. While…
Group One sprint option for La Dorada
High-class New Zealand juvenile La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) could potentially be seen at Group One level at her first assignment since crossing the Tasman to join Mark Walker’s Cranbourne stable. The daughter of Super Seth has been bested in only one of her five starts to date, when runner-up in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) to Too Sweet at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, but subsequently went on to win the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).…
HRNZ Statement: Actions in Response to Review Panel Findings
Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) will adopt all 12 recommendations from the independent review into the 2YO Young Guns Trot Series Final, held at Alexandra Park on 10 May 2025. The review was conducted by an independent panel of experienced professionals with regulatory and industry expertise, following concerns raised about the eligibility criteria for the Series. These concerns were prompted after a horse that had not competed in a heat was permitted to start in the Final and went on to win the Final. HRNZ CEO Brad Steele says implementing…
Independent Panel Releases Findings on Young Guns Final
Letter from Panel Chair, Lee Robinson In May 2025, stakeholders and racing participants voiced concerns about late changes to eligibility conditions for the Young Guns Series Final at Alexandra Park on May 10, 2025. Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) responded to these concerns by establishing an independent review panel, with myself as chair and Felicity Caird and Paul Black as fellow panellists. As part of our review, we spoke to a wide range of industry participants, HRNZ staff members, and various stakeholders to gather comprehensive perspectives on the matter. We…
Industry steps up to secure the future of the Sunline Trust Scholarship
The New Zealand breeding industry has once again demonstrated its commitment to the next generation, with an outstanding fundraising result at the National Breeding Awards securing the future of the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship. Held as part of the 2025 National Breeding Awards, the fundraiser raised well over six figures – an outcome that not only ensures the scholarship’s continuation, but gives it the capacity to thrive into the future and provide more young leaders with the opportunity of a lifetime. At the heart of the evening was a…
Mr Mozart filly well composed
The first foal by Highview Stud stallion Mr Mozart has arrived with breeder James Chapman of Jamieson Park delighted with the filly which is out of the Almanzor mare Qdos, a half-sister to black-type performers Sacred Master, Kia Ora Jewel and Tears of an Angel. Chapman part-owned Mr Mozart during his racing career and has doubled down on the Group Two winning son of Snitzel now that he has retired to Highview Stud. “I have 13 mares in foal to him at Jameison Park and he has 79 in foal…
Te Akau secures NZ Trainers’ Premiership
Te Akau Racing have continued their dominant run, securing their 12th New Zealand Trainers’ Premiership this season with a tally of 131 wins, 27 clear of nearest rival Stephen Marsh. It’s the second season Sam Bergerson has trained alongside Mark Walker, and he was thrilled to keep his 100 percent premiership strike-rate intact. “I am very fortunate in the fact I joined Mark in a time where the stable has been so strong, and we have got a fantastic team of staff, horses and owners,” Bergerson said. “I have the…