Author: NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton As the odds of champion Aussie trotter Just Believe contesting the inaugural TAB Trot at Cambridge shorten by the day, the aura around him continues to grow. The eight-year-old made it six wins from as many starts back from Sweden when he returned from a freshen-up in stunning style at Ballarat last night. Despite sitting parked in quick time, Just Believe won without being extended by 3.9m in a 1min57sec mile rate for 2200m. It was yet another arrogant display and he can only improve for the…

By Michael Guerin Two horses who each had excuses not to win the prelude race should dominate the $25,000 Cabins2U Marlborough Cup today. The second day of the two-day meeting has a logical form line leading through the almost indentical meeting on the grass on Friday. On that occasion Double Time beat Mossdale Ben in the Prelude even though both had few favours. Double Time sat parked for half the race and yet was still too strong, no small performance in this grade, but his biggest challenger Mossdale Ben undid…

Selections for Marlborough       Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Matt Cross Commentator    Race 111.47am  6 Diedre Franco12 Kowhai Summit8 Signal Hill4 Bevron  Race 212.12pm 1 Melody Arden12 Fredastaire3 Rockcent2 Carrera Kahu  Race 312.37pm 12 Alta Showgirl1 Miley Ace3 Honest Lies11 Chal Vee Power Race 41.02pm 13 Sarasota Sunset14 White Star Orlando9 Judine7 Vincent Vega  Race 51.27pm 6 Eyre I Will3 Our Pegasus Pearl4 Bennie And The Jets2 Ali Lindenny  Race 62.02pm 7 Quicksmart1 Watch That Man10 Midfrew Lucre5 On Report   Race 72.37pm 10 Soviet Star3 He’s A Jackalack11…

by Jonny Turner It didn’t look great early, but the end result was perfect as Sam Thornley won his 100th race in the sulky in New Zealand at Marlborough on Friday. Muscle Bank overcame a slow beginning when producing an outstanding performance to win for Thornley and trainer Tom Bamford. Thornley was not only thrilled to bring up his milestone victory, he was impressed with his trotter’s big effort to score. “It was a big run because she missed away and she was so far from them.” “When they went…

By Michael Guerin Steven Reid produced two stunning back to back winners at Cambridge on Friday night but had an even better horse to look forward to on Saturday. The Pukekohe trainer finally got the best out of former smart age group pacer Lou Baby when he demolished a lower grade field by 17 and three-quarter lengths, one of the biggest winning margins in the north in years. As impressive as that was in may have been trumped in the very next race when debutante Next Level was well named,…

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By Jonny Turner Ben Hope hopes class will take Mossdale Ben a long way in today’s Marlborough Cup Prelude. Mossdale Ben goes into the 2400m handicap with clear top billing given the elite races he has contested this spring and summer. With two strong trial efforts to warm up for his trip north, Mossdale Ben looks primed to run a big race on Friday. But Hope knows the pacer will need to call on his class to win from his 30m handicap. “He has trialled well and we are expecting…

By Michael Guerin Local trainer Jason Teaz has four horses he loves all facing the same problem at Cambridge tonight. Teaz was on a golden run with the likes of Brookies Jaffa, Noble Count and Ultimate Moment a few months ago and all three start tonight as well as a smart maiden mare in Ima Sportyangel. The problem with golden runs is they cost you ratings points and Teaz, well known as a broadcaster as well as a trainer, says his stable stars are now paying the price for the…

By Adam Hamilton Superstar pacer Akuta’s Australian trip is off and his immediate racing career is in limbo. Trainer Mark Purdon revealed his stable star injured a tendon in a training mishap on Wednesday and he fears it could be “quite serious.” “We won’t know the full extent until the swelling goes down a bit and we can get it scanned, which might be two weeks,” he said. “At this stage we’re worried it could be quite serious given the amount of swelling.” Purdon said Akuta pulled a shoe off…