By Michael Guerin Star trotter Muscle Mountain will be staying put at least for now. The giant multiple Group 1 winner is back in work after a setback ruled him out of the NZ Trotting Free-For-All on Grand Prix Day at Addington but driver Ben Hope says the intended Australian trip for the Great Southern Star is off. “We wanted to go to Victoria but being out of a work for a while he won’t be ready,” says Hope. “So he will stay here and race in a couple of…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Team Alfeld enjoys “Majestic Sunday”
By Mike Love A winner on debut, Majestic Sunday gave Leeston trainer Murray Alfeld the perfect start to 2024 by taking out the Banks Peninsula Welcome Dave Butts – Raceday Secretary Trot at Motukarara on Sunday. “I’m really happy,” said Alfeld, “he went big. He was well back and I thought he might get third or fourth but he’s just jogged it.” Majestic Sunday began well for driver Colin DeFilippi, and settled three and four back the fence. DeFilippi waited patiently for a gap to present itself up the long…
Two firsts from the weekend’s racing
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Hailing from one of harness racing’s best known and most successful families, Chris and Kimberly Butt produced a notable first at Motukarara yesterday. The two siblings quinellaed race 2, the Bernie Hutton Memorial Pace, both driving five-year-old sons of Sweet Lou in Lord Mudrick and Spirited Lou. “We don’t drive against each other that often,” Kimberly told Harness Unhinged’s Nigel Armstrong post race. “And that is the first time,” she said of their quinella. Their father is three-time New Zealand Cup winning driver…
Dickie lands double at Cambridge
By Brigette Solomon Only recently back from a stint in Australia, Josh Dickie reined a double at Cambridge Raceway yesterday. Both winners were trained by Dickie’s new employers, Steve and Amanda Telfer, the first being Slots in Race 3. The three-year-old colt by Sweet Lou was too good for his rivals powering away to win by a margin of three and a quarter lengths. From his starting draw of seven, Dickie allowed the gelding to work around to the lead and from there he never looked like being beaten. A…
Cromwell Cup an all Wyndham affair
by Jonny Turner Da Vinci’s sizzling speed set up a Wyndham whitewash in the Cromwell Cup on Saturday. The pacer sealed an outstanding result for breeder-owners Paul and Brendan Duffy and trainer Craig Ferguson when holding out his half-sister and stablemate Nutcracker who chased gamely along the inner. In front of a bumper crowd at a meeting hosted by the Wyndham Harness Racing Club, with plenty of friends and family in attendance, vice-president Brendan Duffy had plenty to be proud after the one-three finish. “I’m probably especially proud of Nutcracker,…
Promising Reid Trio step out at Cambridge
Tonight’s meeting is Cambridge Raceway’s first of the New Year and Pukekohe trainer Steven Reid has three runners engaged who have exhibited potential. “All three are nice horses and whatever they do tomorrow, all will improve on” says Reid. First starter Predator, driven by Zachary Butcher, and Gimmesomelovin, driven by Matthew White, line up in Race 2, The Summer of Racing 7-29th Jan @CR Mobile Pace. “Gimmesomelovin was great first up and his work has really improved since his workout prior to Christmas” says Reid “Predator has shown a lot…
McDermott set to continue career best form
Prebbleton trainer John McDermott completed his best personal season as a trainer in 2023 and will look to continue that form at Banks Peninsula Sunday. McDermott trained 13 winners in 2023 and has so far amassed over $770,000 in stakes throughout his training career. “It was very satisfying! I’d be happy to do as well again this coming season.” McDermott will line up five runners at today’s meeting. In race 3 I Spy Diamonds will be looking for her maiden win after some solid placings on the coast circuit, and…
Seddon Summer Trotting Series Update
by Mike Love The Seddon Summer Trotting series, an initiative led by the Seddon Harness Racing Group with support from Harness Racing New Zealand, is beginning to heat up. After the coast circuit Boy’s Invasion and Anna’s Boy hold the throne each on 12 points, with Masterly breathing down their necks on 11 points. At the end of the series the connections of the horse with the most points will get a bonus of $10,000, with $3,000 for second and $2,000 for third. Points for each race is allocated as…
Stars aligning for Got You Covered
by Jonny Turner The stars look to be aligning for Got You Covered ahead of the Cromwell Cup on Saturday. The pacer gets back on his favoured grass surface while attempting to add another grass track feature to his impressive record when he starts from a 10m handicap in the summer feature. Got You Covered will link up with the Invercargill Cup-winning reinswoman Sarah O’Reilly, with regular driver Samantha Ottley teaming up with race rival Deny Everything. The combination of O’Reilly and trainer Brent and Tim White took out the…
HRNZ Awards Age Group Contenders
The best of the best will be crowned at the 2023 season NZB Standardbred Harness Racing Awards at Addington on Monday, 19 February. There will be 16 age-group awards – eight each for the pacers and trotters. The Trotter and Pacer of the Year will then square off for the ultimate accolade – Horse of the Year. Here is the list of all the age group contenders Tickets to the awards will be on sale within the next two weeks