Key lead-up races the Holmes D G and the Methven Cup have prompted a big change in this week’s rankings for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup, to be held at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. Sooner The Bettor became the sixth horse to automatically qualify for the $1m NZ Cup with his win in the Holmes D G at Alexandra Park on Friday night while Better Knuckle Up has been rewarded for his third placing to go for 21st to 17. Better Knuckle Up was the inaugural winner of last…
Year: 2025
Train ride to Kaikoura anyone?
Time is running out for racegoers to get onboard The Whale Train for Kaikoura’s two day meeting next month. Held over Marlborough Anniversary weekend the Sunday meeting on November 2 will feature the opening rounds of the 2025 World Driving Championship while Monday’s card will be highlighted by the 100th running of the Kaikoura Cup. The annual meeting is always a crowd favourite with thousands flocking to the scenic South Bay race course. This year Pounamu Tourism is offering two return train trips from Christchurch on its Whale Train – a retro,…
The UAE’s investment in racing – “they are serious”
One of the country’s highest profile and most influential breeders is confident there will be spin-offs for all the racing codes from New Zealand’s Free Trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates. Recently Ken and Karen Breckon, who own and manage the award-winning Breckon Farms, hosted a delegation that included the chair and chief executive of TAB New Zealand, Bill Birnie and Nick Roberts as well as the UAE’s ambassador to New Zealand, His Excellency Mr Rashed Matar Sultan Alsiri Alremzi. “To have someone at that level from the UAE…
Varenne’s driver heading to WDC in New Zealand
A significant driver change has been confirmed for the upcoming World Driving Championship to be held around New Zealand this November. Italian representative Antonio Simioli has withdrawn due to personal reasons and has been replaced by Giampaolo Minnucci, the driver who gained fame and world-wide success with superstar Italian trotter Varenne. Known as the Il Capitano (The Captain), Varenne was acclaimed as the greatest trotter in harness racing history, earning a record $US8.7m, with 62 wins from just 73 starts. He was also the only horse to win Horse of…
Voukefalas – a home bred hero by Lazarus
Voukefalas may not be a name we have heard of much in New Zealand, but in North America he is a horse that has captured the imagination of the harness racing world, and the hearts of those closest to him. To read more about the son of Lazarus click here
Travel itinerary confirmed for NZ Cup-bound Leap To Fame
By Adam Hamilton Champion Aussie pacer Leap To Fame will go into the IRT NZ Trotting Cup sight unseen this trip. After much deliberation, trainer-driver Grant Dixon has locked in travel plans which will see the six-year-old arrive in Christchurch just five days before the $1 million feature at Addington on Tuesday, November 11. “He’ll be on a flight Wednesday (November 5) from Melbourne which I’m told then gets him into Christchurch on Thursday morning,” he said. It ends speculation about a possible lead-up race or at least an appearance…
OTI Racing officially enters New Zealand fold
OTI Racing is officially going trans-Tasman, with the Australian syndicator becoming a licensed New Zealand syndicator this week. “We are now a licensed syndicator in New Zealand, which means we can offer horses to the public (in New Zealand),” OTI Racing principal Terry Henderson said. “They will get the same offering as the Australians do, which could be New Zealand or Australian horses, trained by New Zealand or Australian trainers. We will certainly be racing more horses in New Zealand.” OTI Racing has been a large investor in New Zealand…
AUDIO: Shaun Clotworthy on Racing HQ
Willydoit didn’t run last weekend with a minor issue, will he start this weekend? Part owner Shaun Clotworthy talks to Steve Hewlett on Racing HQ. Shaun Clotworthy 07.10.2025 – Racing HQ with Steve Hewlett – Apple Podcasts
Barneswood filly to make debut
A new southern partnership is set to kick-off at Phar Lap Raceway on Thursday when Lady Maxima (NZ) (Circus Maximus) makes her debut in the Pink Ribbon & Heartland Chips 1200. She will carry the familiar orange and white colours of Barneswood Farm, which will appear for the first time alongside Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson’s name in the racebook. Bred by Barneswood Farm’s Sarah and Chris Green and Ger Beemsterboer, Lady Maxima is by Windsor Park Stud stallion Circus Maximus and out of their Lonhro mare Vaudesir, a half-sister to…
Promising youngsters to debut for Ormsby
A pair of promising youngsters are set to make their debut for Cambridge trainer Chad Ormsby at Avondale on Wednesday, but track conditions may scupper plans for one of them. Two-year-old gelding State Of Valour (NZ) (Sword Of State) impressed when winning his 730m trial at Te Rapa last month and is set to make his first raceday appearance in the Tulloch Café 2YO (1000m). Ormsby has been pleased with the way the Cambridge Stud-bred and raced juvenile has progressed and he is looking forward to kicking off his career…