by Jonny Turner Sam Thornley is keeping his feet on the ground ahead of combining with a strong book of drives at Westport today. The junior reinsman will link up with two genuine hopes in both the feature pace and the feature trot at Patterson Park. Just Ask Paddy comes into the Kawatiri Cup after a spectacular win in his last start at Waterlea in which he fell after passing the post. Thornley is hoping to see a more polished version of the pacer when he returns to grass track…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Old Town Road set for first start in 2024
By Michael Guerin Winning would be a bonus when Old Town Road resumes at Alexandra Park tonight. That is not to say trainer John Dickie doesn’t want his stable star to win the $40,000 Lincoln Farms Founders Cup and he is adamant he can. But first and foremost Dickie is just happy the race, in fact the whole Alexandra Park meeting, is being held at all. The meeting will consist of just seven races with a total of 47 starters. The fields are quite even with few standout favourites so…
Selections | Auckland
Selections for Auckland today. Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race TrottechForm Analyst Race 16.35pm 4 Nelson’s Boy2 Scout’s Honour1 Skipper5 Potter Race 27.05pm 5 It’s Electrifying4 Lincoln Lou2 Sadhaka1 Justyouwait Race 37.34pm 3 Leo Lincoln5 Precious Bet2 Onyx Shard4 Hadron Collider Race 47.59pm 6 Great White4 Demon Blue2 Sugar Ray Lincoln5 Roy Kent Race 58.24pm 6 Shake A Leg1 Dear God9 Beta Prepare3 Xcite Me Race 68.50pm 2 Old Town Road5 Self Assured4 Mach Shard3 Kango Race 79.20pm 6 All You Need Is Me5…
Purdon still dreaming of Miracle Mile success
By Adam Hamilton Champion trainer Mark Purdon has put the disappointment of the Chariots Of Fire behind him and expects young star Don’t Stop Dreaming to run a huge race in the Miracle Mile. By his exciting and lofty standards, Don’t Stop Dreaming was disappointing when only sixth as a commanding $1.80 favourite in last Saturday night’s Chariots Of Fire. “I’m just forgetting about the run, to be honest,” Mark Purdon said, “I expected more from him. The race wasn’t run to suit, but he still didn’t run to his…
Two chances for Charlotte Williamson at Oamaru today
By Jonny Turner Charlotte Williamson will be out to chase down her first win since returning to the sulky at Oamaru today. The junior driver has returned to race day driving recently after taking an extended break after having her three children with husband Matthew. Judging by some of her drives, Williamson hasn’t lost her touch while being out of the sulky. “I am loving being back, I am just fitting in the driving where I can,” she said. “The kids will always be the top priority but I am…
Four picks for Rangiora today
Racing journalist Jonny Turner has delved into the form for today’s great card of racing at Rangiora and come up with four horses punters should consider in their calculations. Race 3 – Millwood Goddess – $3.30 FFW Moving in two barrier spots might just be enough for Millwood Goddess to seal an emotional win for trainer Tom Bagrie. Racing in the colours of Bagrie’s late father Peter, following his passing on Wednesday, Millwood Goddess produced a gutsy second at Addington on Thursday. Today’s race doesn’t look any harder and though…
Royally-bred two-year-olds debuting in Invercargill
By Jonny Turner Before Don’t Stop Dreaming and Merlin battle it out in the Chariots Of Fire at Menangle, little brother and little sister will be out to impress in their debuts at Ascot Park on Friday. Nathan Williamson is set to debut two royally bred two-year-olds in Always Dreaming, a full brother to Don’t Stop Dreaming and Captain’s Mistress, a half-sister to Merlin. Captains Mistress turned heads in her latest trial when charging late to down her race rival Justanothersip right on the post. The performance has been enough…
Is it Chisel or Chase in tonight’s Alabar Classic?
By Michael Guerin Co-trainer Scott Phelan says the crucial tactics in the $60,000 Alabar Classic at Alexandra Park tonight will be left up to driver Zachary Butcher. Phelan and senior training partner Barry Purdon train Cold Chisel, who alongside arch rival Chase A Dream head the market for the Group 2. Chase A Dream has been too good for Cold Chisel the last two times they have met, both times by getting in front of him. There was little in it last start when Chase A Dream led and Cold…
Chariots Of Fire – who wins?
By Michael Guerin Preparation both on and off the track could be the key to a Kiwi victory in Saturday night’s A$250,000 Chariots Of Fire in Sydney. In one of the greatest shows of New Zealand pacing strength since trans Tasman harness racing rivalry fell into a post-Covid slumber, three New Zealand-trained pacers will contest Australia’s biggest four-year-old race at Menangle. Auckland trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan have both Merlin and Sooner The Bettor in the mobile mile, with Merlin an outstanding second after sitting parked on his Australian…
Pinseeker favoured in Cromwell Fruit Bowl
By Jonny Turner Pinseeker goes into his toughest career test in the Fruit Bowl Handicap at Cromwell on Sunday as ready as he can be. The four-year-old returns to racing after creating a big impression in his three starts late last year for trainer-driver Jonny Cox. Pinseeker will step up to race hardy opposition in the pacing feature on the second day of Cromwell’s big two-day February meeting. Cox thinks he has the pacer as ready as he can be for his returning assignment. “We think he is a pretty…