Year: 2025

“Dead keen” Southland syndicate members buy second trotter

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Buoyed by the success of their first purchase, the Southland-based Broke Boys syndicate are doubling down. The group of 20 and 30-somethings started out with the very handy Ah Dinnae Ken and have more recently acquired a second trotter in Massive Merc. “With Ah Dinnae Ken we had a bit of money in the kitty so we thought we’d go again,” says syndicate spokesman Rory McCall, a sheep farmer from Gore (pictured above, third from right). McCall had previously raced some good performers…

Winter Weigh In, June 9

NZRacingDesk

Emily Murphy brings you Winter Weigh In, your place for Thoroughbred racing news, reviews and insights throughout the colder months. This week we saw a potential new Steeple star in the making. Plus Sam breaks down all the action from a Super Saturday at Eagle Farm. Winter Weigh In, June 9

Berkley in high spirits after latest success

NZRacingDesk

A determination to secure a youngster by Spirit Of Boom had a favourable outcome for Berkley Stud at Ellerslie. The Edwina Morris and Alan Jones-bred Boombox (NZ) (Spirit Of Boom) was successful just at his second appearance for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike. The two-year-old was offered through Berkley’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale draft and was knocked down for $50,000 to Jim Bruford’s Brewers Bloodstock. “That was a really neat result on Saturday after we had sold him to our good friend Jim Bruford, we’re very pleased…

HRNZ releases 2YO Winter Schedule

NZHarnessNews

Harness Racing New Zealand has released a provisional 2YO winter schedule, starting at Auckland and Addington this Friday. The schedule is for two-year-old pacers and trotters in both islands. “The idea is to provide owners and trainers with a clear runway to plan campaigns through the colder months and into spring,” says HRNZ’s Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden. The schedule outlines over 30 race dates at Auckland, Cambridge, Addington, Gore, Wyndham, and Oamaru, with indicative stakes ranging from $8,000 to $30,000. “It is indicative only at this stage…

Written submissions for Young Guns review to close tomorrow

NZHarnessNews

The Independent Review into the Young Guns Trot Final is underway, with interviews starting today. The deadline for written submissions is tomorrow afternoon. They should be sent to : review@hrnz.co.nz The review is looking into the circumstances of the 2YO Young Guns Final Mobile Trot at Alexandra Park on May 10,2025. A final report is expected this month.  To see the terms and reference for the Review click here 

Milestone win for Tony Barron at Addington

NZHarnessNews

By Mike Love  Aspirational Dream provided Tony Barron with his 400th training win in his own right yesterday when winning the Neumann & Sparks Families 40 Years Plus “Silk Road” Mobile Trot at Addington. The Royal Aspirations four-year-old was on the back up from Friday night where she ran sixth to Royal Del.  Yesterday was a different story with driver John Morrison going straight to the top from barrier rise. From there she trotted the 1980m in commanding style, never out of second gear, winning by three lengths from runner…

Deadline looms for New Zealand’s richest age-group racing

NZHarnessNews

The clock is ticking for June’s New Zealand Sires’ Stakes payments. “Breeders and owners looking to maximise the value of their bloodstock have until July 1 to stake their claim in New Zealand’s premier age-group racing,” says Sires’ Stakes Executive Martin Pierson. Foal nominations and yearling sustaining payments are now due for Series 43 and 44, along with key entries for the Nevele R Fillies Series, Caduceus Club Fillies Series, and 3YO sustaining payments. “Whether you’re prepping for the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales or retaining to race, there’s over $2.5…

O’Malley returns a winner at Trentham

NZRacingDesk

Sarah O’Malley is no stranger to a comeback, and she completed another successful return to riding at Trentham on Saturday, guiding the Roger Allen-trained Subtle Tease to victory in the Happy Hire 1600. A multiple Group Three-winning hoop, O’Malley stepped away from the sport in mid-August to have her second child, a son who was born in February. Just three months later, she was back in the saddle and riding at New Plymouth late last month. The 25-year-old picked up a couple of placings over the past 10 days, and…

Feroce’s big spring targets

NZRacingDesk

The Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) is back in its traditional timeslot this year and trainer Dom Sutton has the feature handicap in mind to launch Group One winner Feroce’s (NZ) (Super Seth) spring campaign. Feroce’s Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) triumph at the beginning of March gave Sutton his first elite-level victory early in his training career and the three-year-old gelding was then sent for a spell after his midfield finish later that month against older horses in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m). While the Golden Eagle (1500m), which…