The rookie pair of Joshua Brown (NZ) (Dalghar) and his owner-trainer Lance Gussey took out one of New Zealand racing’s biggest winter prizes in Saturday’s $120,000 Listed Sinclair Electrical & Refrigeration Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth. Things have happened quickly for Joshua Brown, who made his debut only 15 months ago in April 2024, and also for Cambridge-based Gussey and his wife Angela. With only five horses in work, Gussey now boasts four wins from just 20 career starters. Gussey is continuing the thoroughbred legacy of his late father,…
Year: 2025
Hina’s sister act at New Plymouth
New Plymouth trainer Tawhiti Hina saddled back-to-back winners on his home track on Saturday with full-sisters Za Spirit (NZ) (Charm Spirit) and Charm Zafarm (NZ) (Charm Spirit). Hina has seven horses in training and had won nine races in his career before Saturday’s dream afternoon. He had trained two winners in a day once before, with Side Piece (NZ) (Jon Snow) and Summer Breeze (NZ) (Zed) combining for a pair of victories in $17,000 maiden races at Waverley on April 21. But Saturday’s heroics in races worth $50,000 and $40,000…
Lawson-Carroll hits half-century with front-running masterclass
Ace Lawson-Carroll completed his first 50-win season with an early double at Rotorua on Saturday, including a perfectly judged front-running ride on Diomedes (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) in the Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua (1560m). The 20-year-old apprentice went into Saturday’s meeting with 48 wins to his name from 609 rides this season. That put him in 17th on the national premiership. He was ranked fourth among apprentices behind Lily Sutherland (64 wins), Triston Moodley (52) and Amber Riddell (50). Lawson-Carroll moved to 49 with a four-length victory on favourite Moelle…
Logan runner kicks off his winning roll at Rotorua
A well timed run by rider Michael McNab aboard the lightly raced Jelly Roll (NZ) (Swiss Ace) paved the way for the four-year-old to break his maiden status in spectacular style at Rotorua on Saturday. The Samantha Logan-trained and owned son of Swiss Ace was having just his third start and had looked a galloper of some promise when finishing fourth in both of those efforts. With the Heavy 10 rated Rotorua track expected to play in favour of those handy to the pace for the first few races, the…
Positive signs for top mare Snazzytavi
The tenacity displayed by Snazzytavi during her stellar racing career has stood her in good stead in a battle off the track. The Cambridge Stud-owned mare has been fighting an acute case of laminitis for months, but now the signs indicate she is on the road to recovery. “While she remains at Matamata Veterinary Services, a dedicated team of vets and farriers have painstakingly repaired her laminitic feet and she is finally heading in the right direction,” Chief Executive Officer Henry Plumptre said. “We acknowledge the care and dedication shown…
From Mataura to Brisbane: Millie’s Inter Dominion debut
Millie Bond’s love of harness racing started young. One of her earliest memories is sitting on her dad’s lap as he jogged a horse called Crusher Collins around their home track in Gore. “I had a big smile on my face,” she says. “It was the first time I felt the excitement of being on a horse moving.” Now 16, Millie is chasing that same feeling, this time on one of harness racing’s biggest stages. On Saturday night, she will represent New Zealand in the ID25 Mini Trots Championship Final…
Williamson strikes twice on Winter Rewards Day
by Jonny Turner Brad Williamson’s winning double on Winter Rewards Day at Winton on Thursday brought delight to owners across New Zealand. The Oamaru trainer-driver produced Aint No Angel to win her second Winter Rewards Final, as well as scoring with Tabasco. After producing strong form in handy company recently, Aint No Angel saved her best for Southland’s biggest day of harness racing so far. The mare’s victory sits alongside the Winter Rewards Final she produced at Addington last year for Oturehua (Central Otago) breeder-owners Neville Armstrong, Rusty Nevill, and…
Team Telfer surge transforms premiership race
by Michael Guerin Even for the man with a plan Steve Telfer is stunned how quickly the New Zealand harness racing trainer’s premiership may have become a one-stable race. Telfer and his sister/training partner Amanda go into this weekend’s racing 16 wins clear in the premiership after being 16 behind Michael House just two months ago. It has been a staggering turnaround but one Telfer all but predicted, just not at this record speed. “We had a plan to race a good team through winter, when the stakes are almost…
Tough test for Sadie, but class may carry her through
by Michael Guerin Trainer Matty Williamson admits tonight’s Ricoh Canterbury Silk Road Final isn’t the perfect race for Princess Sadie. But he says that doesn’t mean the speedy four-year-old can’t still win it. Williamson trains and drives the five-win mare who has been one of the best of her age at two and three. She now faces taking on older horses at every start and often, like tonight, that also means stepping up in distance. “She is a real speed mare so the 2600m handicap probably isn’t ideal for her,”…
Iconic Jumps Races Renamed to Reflect New Era at Te Aroha
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Racing Te Aroha are proud to announce a significant milestone in the history of New Zealand jumps racing. The revered Great Northern Hurdle and Great Northern Steeplechase will now be known as the Great New Zealand Hurdle and Great New Zealand Steeplechase, marking a new chapter for these iconic events. The renaming reflects the races’ relocation to Te Aroha and their continued importance on the national racing calendar. Racing Te Aroha President Raewyn Armstrong shared her thoughts on the change. “The Great Northern Hurdle…