Promising three-year-old Kygo Star (NZ) (Wootton Bassett) overcame a wide journey to come out on top in a tight finish in the Allspark Electrical Maiden 3YO (1400m) at Avondale on Wednesday. The Chad Ormsby-trained gelding was impressive on debut at Taupo, storming home late to finish second behind Oratia Beauty (Too Darn Hot). Finishing third in that contest was Magic Carpet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who came out 10 days later to win the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa. Despite the form coming out of the race, Kygo…
Year: 2025
Take three for Gringotts in Alan Brown Stakes
Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) will be on a mission to put an interrupted campaign back on track when he takes his place in the $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill. The Group 1 winner has missed scheduled starts in the 7 Stakes (1600m) and Shannon Stakes (1500m), both times due to poor blood readings, although trainer Ciaron Maher says they have been the result of a mild virus rather than anything sinister. “There are a lot of viruses around this year and it was just unfortunate that he got one,” Maher said. “But he seems good now.…
Riccarton path to be confirmed for talented Electron
Sam Mynott has her sights set on the New Zealand Cup carnival with Electron (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), but where the gifted mare takes her first steps toward Riccarton is yet to be locked in. The Cambridge trainer’s preference is to kick off in Saturday’s Gr.3 fastinternet.nz Spring Sprint (1400m) at Otaki if there is any improvement in track conditions, currently rated a Heavy 10. Plan B is for multiple Group Three placegetter Electron to resume closer to home a day before in the Placemakers Taupo Handicap (1300m). “Ideally, she…
A$5 million mile the choice for Pier
Kiwi Group One winner Pier (NZ) (Proisir) will not feature in this year’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m), but he will still have the opportunity to run for a A$5 million stake back in Sydney. After a successful campaign in Queensland through the winter, Pier was set on a path towards the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and got off to a flying start when placing in the Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m). He was among the main dangers to hot-favourite Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) in last Saturday’s Epsom, where he…
Team Cullen with big hand in 2YO race at Addington tonight
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk The in-form training combo of Hayden and Amanda Cullen look set for more success at Addington tonight. They will line up three starters in the night’s 2YO race, the Lather Up Dual World Champion Mobile Pace (8.22pm) One of them Mystery Creek has come in for some serious support. On the back of two encouraging trials, the son of Bettor’s Delight has gone from his opening price of $3.20 to $1.95. “They’ve really come for him haven’t they?” says co-trainer Hayden Cullen. “I…
Rankings re-jig after two key Group 3s
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…
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