Author: NZHarnessNews

Craig “The Whale” Thompson is back with his best for Gore.

By Jonny Turner Punters shouldn’t put much stock into Da Vinci’s winning run over summer ending ahead of the Gore Summer Cup on Sunday. A last-start seventh might not look like the typical form reference of a next-up winner but trainer-driver Craig Ferguson thinks it can be. Da Vinci ended an outstanding four-race winning spree with a last-start seventh in the Amberley Cup at Rangiora. Though beaten, getting back on the tight-turning and leader-dominated Rangiora grass surface means Da Vinci’s last-start run is best forgotten. “He seems to be in…

By Mike Love Broadfield trainers Colin and Julie DeFilippi admit luck could take them a long way with their three charges at Rangiora today. The couple will line up two of those horses in race eight the Robin and Geraldine Rangiora Classic for $30,000, with full brothers Here’s Herbie ($6.50FF, Bob Butt) and Heza Sport ($8.00FF, Samantha Ottley). Heza Sport ran a close second last week to Jimmy James Maguire in the Hororata Cup at Methven, going down by only one length. “He’s been a little bit disappointing, but last…

By Michael Guerin Harness racing’s hottest new rivalry started way before punters had even heard of pacers Cold Chisel and Chase A Dream. The pair clash again in the $200,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million at Alexandra Park tonight, the richest race on the night headlined by the sales series horses and the ideal lead-in to Sunday’s Karaka yearling sales. Cold Chisel won the two-year-old Harness Million at Addington last October but was outpointed by a sensational Chase A Dream in the Sires’ Stakes Final in November and their rivalry already…

Craig “The Whale” Thompson looks at Manawatu. 

By Brigette Solomon Local trainer Stephen Doody will have a big presence with seven starters as he tries to continue a winning run at Manawatu today. “I was happy with most of the horses’ runs on Tuesday,” says Doody, “neither of Tuesday’s winners are backing up but Johnny Who joins today’s starters.” Doody trained a winning double on Tuesday with Mr Monty and Blue Chip Lou both driven by the country’s leading driver Blair Orange. The pair team up again today with Orange engaged to drive five of Doody’s horses…

By Michael Guerin It is advantage Cold Chisel after the barrier draw for $200,000 NZBS Harness Million at Alexandra Park on Friday. The Barry Purdon/Scott Phelan-trained three-year-old has drawn the ace for the feature of the night as he tries to go back to back after winning the two-year-old version at Addington in October. If he is able to complete the double he will mirror stablemate and ownership-mate Merlin, who won them both a year ago. Making the ace draw even better for Cold Chisel is the fact arch rival…

By Brigette Solomon Manawatu hosts its first meeting of the 2024 season today and junior driver Crystal Hackett is keenly aware any personal success will also benefit the Team Teal campaign. With seven drives, Hackett, who is a Team Teal Ambassador, looks to have several chances to do so. “I’m really happy to be a part of Team Teal,” says Hackett. “It’s my second year as an ambassador and I’m really pleased to already have driven a couple winners to earn money for the campaign.” In Race 1, the Outback…

Jonny Turner’s  selections for Wairio     Race   Jonny TurnerRacing Journalist  Race 112.55pm 4 Ukraine2 Music Mistress1 Duchess Of Kent5 Wild East  Race 21.20pm 4 Dignify1 Quercus Rubra3 Wattle Hill5 Our Superfund Race 31.48pm 2 Gunner Andy11 Frankie5 On Top Of The World3 Oh Micky     Race 42.19pm 1 Nek Delight9 Warrior Easton4 Sherwood Maggie12 Olives Dream  Race 52.59pm 3 Blithe6 Bill Bootit2 Night Watch5 Switch On     Race 63.30pm 8 Miraculous7 Song Sung Blue6 Built For Glory1 Jaccka Evan  Race 73.51pm 5 Vanessa Marie3 Zamperini2 La…

Craig “The Whale” Thompson is back with his best for Winton.