Te Akau Racing continued their golden run in the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on Saturday when recording their fifth consecutive victory in the race courtesy ofLara Antipova(Russian Revolution). The daughter of Russian Revolution was impressive when winning on debut at Te Aroha in November for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, and once again in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham a month later, and was well-supported by punters in her fresh-up run on Saturday, backed into a $1.20 favourite. From her outside…
Year: 2026
Tarvue adds to strong Flemington record
Flemington has been a happy hunting ground for New Zealand-bred mare Tarvue (NZ) (Tarzino), who produced another big performance at the Melbourne track in Saturday’s A$80,000 TAB We’re On (2000m). The Benchmark 78 handicap was Tarvue’s fifth start at Flemington. She has now won twice at the course, having also been successful over 1800m on New Year’s Day, and she was a narrowly beaten second over 2500m on January 17. Little went Tarvue’s way when she finished a last-start sixth at Caulfield on January 31, but the John Sadler-trained mare…
First stakes winner for Banquo
Waikato Stud stallion Banquo recorded his first stakes win as a sire on Saturday and fittingly achieved it with a son carrying the farm’s colours, on their home track for their private trainer Kris Shailer. Bred by the Matamata farm,Justin Case (NZ)is out of Group Two-winning mare Do Ra Mi (NZ) (Savabeel), and is a half-brother to Group Three performer Hanger (NZ) (O’Reilly). The two-year-old gelding was being prepared for last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale by Ohukia Lodge, but was withdrawn, and Waikato Stud, alongside Ohukia…
Johnson heads south as Revell Douglas Series heats up
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk “No stranger to travelling,” accomplished junior driver Emily Johnson heads south this weekend as the annual Revell Douglas Memorial Series heads towards its conclusion. On Sunday she’ll drive at Motukarara for the first time, in Heat 5 of the series (3.14pm) knowing she is second in the series, just seven points behind leader Harrison Orange, who is not driving at the meeting. “I am keen to have a good go at it and it will be good experience to drive there,” says…
Bonus awaits Keayang Zahara in huge night at Melton
By Adam Hamilton History says Kiwi fans should be glued to tonight’s Great Southern Star at Melton in Victoria. In the two runnings of the $600,000 Trot Slot at Cambridge, the Great Southern Star has proven the defining form line. And this year looks no different. In 2024 the great Just Believe beat Callmethebreeze, Queen Elida and Arcee Phoenix. Just a couple of months earlier in the Great Southern Star, it was Callmethebreeze beating Just Believe with Arcee Phoenix fifth and Queen Elida seventh. Last year, it was another Aussie,…
The Big Lebowski gunning for third Cup win at Gore
By Jonny Turner Great memories are sure to come flooding back if The Big Lebowski can continue his brilliant form in the Gore Town and Country Club Summer Cup on Sunday. The big-striding pacer will be out to seal a hat-trick of cup race victories after taking out the recent Riverton and Waikouaiti Cups for trainer Brett Gray. Gore’s Summer Cup is part of a bumper race day which celebrates the Gore Harness Racing Club reaching its 125th year. The Big Lebowski was bred and developed in Eastern Southland by…
New Zealand to host Asian Racing Conference
The 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC) closed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Thursday night with New Zealand announced as the host of the 42nd ARC in 2028. Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chair, Asian Racing Federation and Chief Executive Officer, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, hailed the Conference in Riyadh as an enduring success which highlighted the sport’s greatest opportunities and also its challenges. Praising the work of the Conference host, the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia and His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, and the ARC Organising Committee,…
OTI purchase quality Kiwi 2YO
Stakes winning juvenile De Armas has been sold to OTI Racing and will soon join the stable of Chris Waller in Sydney. The daughter of Ardrossan won two of her three starts for trainer Johno Benner with her most recent effort being a luckless fourth in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) after enduring a wide passage throughout, yet still savaging the line. A five length winner on debut, De Armas won the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) at her second start before her run in the Karaka Millions. “OTI have…
Final Results for NZ’s Historic 100th National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 marked the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and it was one for the record books. After an action-packed refreshed format, results have been accumulated from the Book 1, Book 2 and inaugural Karaka Summer Sale sessions, that took place from 25 – 29 January. The new condensed sale format saw several records being surpassed and increases across all key sale indicators. With 79 less horses catalogued, turnover was up almost $10 million on last year, with returns to consignors and breeders totalling over $96 million. Increases…
Imprevu seeking to shed bridesmaid tag
Cambridge mare Imprevu will be seeking to shed her bridesmaid tag when she heads to Matamata on Saturday to contest the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m). For the second successive year, the daughter of Wrote finished runner-up on Karaka Millions night, finishing behind Moschino in the Jo Giles Stakes (1400m) after being runner-up to Konasana in last year’s Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m). They join her growing list of placings, including the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) and Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m), and trainer Janenne Dalley is keen to buck…