By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s chances of having a serious Inter Dominion pacing contender this winter could be finalised at a quiet Pukekohe trial meeting on Tuesday. That is if any horse can be termed a serious contender going to Queensland to take on local champion Leap To Fame on his home track at Albion Park. The Inter Dominions move to July this year and revert to two rounds of heats on July 5 and 12 into the July 19 pacing final for A$1million. The stake increase will go some…
Year: 2025
HRNZ at AEIMA 2025: Working Together to Advance Equine Welfare and Safety
Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) was proud to represent the harness racing community at the 2025 Australasian Equine Industry & Management Association (AEIMA) Animals in Emergencies and Disasters Conference, held at Massey University’s Large Animal Teaching Unit on May 9-10. The conference brought together a wide range of equine professionals — from veterinarians and scientists to welfare advocates and racing officials — to explore current challenges and innovations across the industry. HRNZ’s representative was Education and Animal Care Manager Natalie Gameson. The conference included hands-on, scenario-based training which gave the…
“May” day at Rangiora
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk More than half a century after his first success, veteran Methven-based trainer Terry May was back in the winner’s circle at Rangiora yesterday. The 92-year-old combined with Slyx in the Anne Thompson Pacers Graduation Final, with the Terror To Love three-year-old having his first win at start number three. To make it even better this was a family affair – the horse was driven by son and Hall of Famer Ricky May, and bred by Ricky’s wife Judy. “It was a big thrill…
Harness 5000 races to kick off at Timaru
Nominations close tomorrow (Tuesday) for the Harness 5000 Maiden Series that gets underway at Timaru this Sunday (May 25). The Series is for non-winners whose sire stood for an advertised service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception. Sunday’s series opener will be worth $12,000 for 3YO and older pacers. The first four place-getters are guaranteed a place in the $15,000 Final at Addington on Friday, June 13, if nominated. A second harness 5000 heat will be held at Ashburton at their King’s Birthday weekend on…
Two days left for Industry Excellence Awards nominations
The closing date for nominations for the Entain Industry Excellence Awards has been extended through to 5pm on Wednesday (May 21). Originally nominations were going to close yesterday (Sunday, May 18). Winners of the nine awards categories will receive $10,000 with finalists in each category receiving $2,000. The supreme winner will receive an extra $5,000 on top of their $10,000 category win, and a $5,000 educational package. These awards, for the under 40s, are designed to recognise the future leaders and rising stars of New Zealand’s racing codes. Last year…
Lil Whip romps away to big win in Invercargill
By Jonny Turner Lil Whip’s eight-length annihilation of her opposition at Ascot Park on Sunday has earned her a feature race night tilt at Addington. The mare led and never gave her rivals a look-in, powering to an emphatic win for trainer Tyler Dewe and driver Brad Williamson. The victory completed a winning double for the four-year-old, who scored in a tougher grade in her last start at Winton. Lil Whip’s excellent form will now see her head to Addington, though Dewe is still weighing up which race to target.…
Patience paying off for Cole with special filly
Astoria Brooke (NZ) (American Pharoah) has inherited a number of qualities from her dam Astor, most importantly her talent on the track, which was evident with back-to-back victories at Hawera on Sunday. A filly by American Pharoah, Astoria Brooke is prepared by Cody Cole, just as Astor was when she delivered the Matamata horseman his first stakes victory in the Listed Mufhasa Fasttrack Stakes (1300m) in 2018. Astor (NZ) (Iffraaj) was subsequently bred from by Trelawney Stud, who entrusted her daughter with Cole for breaking in. “I broke her in…
Matamata Racing Club Races into the Future with Exciting Expansion
In an exciting step for the Club’s future, the Matamata Racing Club (MMRC) is proud to unveil plans for a significant expansion of its racehorse training facilities – an investment that promises to boost not only the Club’s training capacity but also the strength and sustainability of New Zealand’s thoroughbred industry. The Club’s acquisition of the neighbouring Valachi Downs property has enabled it to explore expanding its current training facilities, addressing growing demand and supporting not only the Club’s financial position but also the broader growth of the New Zealand…
Winter stakes targets for perennial placegetter
Knights Realm (NZ) (Castledale) missed out on a maiden stakes scalp by the barest of margins at Trentham on Saturday in the Listed Rangitikei Cup (1600m), which has only enhanced trainer Clinton Isdale’s thirst for success. The five-year-old son of Castledale had been runner-up in five of his previous seven outings, and with just 53kg on his back, punters supported him in their droves, sending him out a short-priced $2.30 favourite. He looked ominous throughout, sitting outside pacemaker Bradman (NZ) (Pins), but at the business end of the race, he…
Spell for Basilinna ahead of Cup tilt
Emma-Lee Browne says they will likely take a little bit of time to savour Basilinna’s (NZ) (Staphanos) Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) win before looking to lock down the right pathway for the mare to this year’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). Basilinna earned herself a ballot exemption into this year’s Melbourne Cup with her victory in Saturday’s Andrew Ramsden at Flemington in rain-affected conditions. “I think it’s everything we all dreamed about, so it’s a massive result for the team,” Browne said on Sunday of qualifying Basilinna for the Cup.…