Author: NZHarnessNews

by Jonny Turner Maui delivered a big thrill for the McCormick family when running to a deserved win in the feature trot at yesterday’s Roxburgh Cup meeting.  The brilliantly consistent squaregaiter did enough to hold out the late challenge of runner-up Vertigo to seal a father and son quinella for trainers and drivers David and Lawrence McCormick. While David took top honours in the family’s great result, he resisted the chance to make full use of the bragging rights he had over his son following his victory. Instead, the Canterbury…

Ngauruhoe won the Grant Plumbing Wellington Cup today at Otaki giving trainer Michael House his third consecutive win of the Cup. Driven today by House’s son Wilson, Ngauruhoe started off 30 metres and stepped away well to settle well back one off the fence. With 800 left to travel, the tiring Cashem forced House three wide and from there he progressed and hit the front with 200 metres to run. The gelding fought on well when challenged by the 2nd placed Slainte to take the win by a head. “His…

The locals look a good chance of getting their hands on the silverware with tomorrow’s Peters Genetics Roxburgh Cup looking wide-open. Handicaps, formlines, and the nature of the tight-turning Roxburgh track are set to combine to make an enthralling edition of the 2700m feature. In a wide-open affair, Central Otago owners Bill and Pauline Bain and Karen Peters get their shot at taking home the Roxburgh Cup with their pacer Wattlebank Arnie. The pacer comes into the time-honoured event after producing a strong fifth placing when taking on a stronger…

Kapiti Coast Harness Racing Club hosts its annual meeting on the grass at Otaki Racecourse today with the first of seven races getting underway at 11:27am. Graeme Rogerson and Dylan Ferguson will be backing up their runners from Tuesday’s meeting at Wairarapa and Gaz Man joins the team for the Grant Plumbing Wellington Cup Handicap Trot. “The horses all performed well on Tuesday and providing they handle backing up they all look to be good each way chances” says Ferguson. Challenger is the first to line up for the Rogerson/Ferguson…

Jonny Turner’s  selections for Roxburgh .   Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Jonny TurnerRacing Journalist  Race 112:24pm 7 Poetry In Motion6 Myla5 Wolfenstein3 Forty Wives Race 212:49pm 3 Shandon Bells2 Dem Bones Dem Bones9 Judicate5 Eyre I Will Race 31:14pm 3 Sherwood Maggie1 Scruffy6 La Moth9 Mayson Shard Race 41:50pm 2 Rosie Richter6 Robyns Art5 Cold Pursuit7 Robyn X Race 52:23pm 8 Tayla Me5 Alibi2 Franco Tim7 Asian Elvis Race 62:59pm 5 Grubscrew1 Sassy Art10 Threebeersdeep Race 73:35pm 1 Aardie B Miki2 First Light5 Addison Marie7 Major Envy   Race 84:14pm…

Selections for Westport       Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Justin EvansCommentator   Race 111:26pm  3 Prince Miki7 Challenger1 Conor McGregor9 Sheza Mermaid Race 211:48pm 10 Avenger5 Carbon1 Onetangi Girl6 Sharkntatties Race 312:10pm 5 Maleficence3 Cote D’Azure9 Luka Doncic12 Call Security Race 412:33pm 9 Amelia Rose10 Santanna Mach1 Private Eye4 Greater Good Race 512:57pm 2 Cassius Clay2 Medina Magic1 Katies Princess5 Smokinhotcheddar Race 61:21pm 14 Gaz Man9 Ngauruhoe11 Manchester In Time5 Kiss My Pixel Race 71:42pm 6 Village Rebel5 Mr Kaplan4 Warloch1 Artful Living  

by Jonny Turner It was a case of no reins, no worries for Craig Ferguson as Smokin Bandar sped to victory in free-for-all company at Omakau yesterday. Ferguson dropped his right rein onto his dustsheet for all of a few milliseconds as his flashy grey powered along the passing lane to score. The error came after the rein got caught in Smokin Bandar’s tale, and it was enough to see Ferguson cop plenty of friendly ribbing from his fellow drivers. But through it, the reinsman kept his sense of humour.…

by Mike Love Eyrewell Forest trainer Trevor Grant had a very happy start to the new year when he owned, trained and drove George Eliot took out the maiden trot at Rangiora on new years day. “We had a great day all around really,” said Grant. George Eliot settled 4 back the fence for Grant, before popping out at the 1200m to sit parked. George Eliot then outmuscled her rivals, drawing away to win impressively by 4 lengths from One El. “One I got around to sit parked, which she…

  The 20 metre handicap was no trouble for the Village Rebel in the Connie Stewart NZSIR Wairarapa Cup at Tauherenikau today. “I was absolutely thrilled for his owners Alan and Lyn Messenger, they have been big supporters of mine for years” says trainer Nicky Chilcott. “I didn’t think today would be his day with the race being only 2000 metres” says Chilcott “The Otaki Cup over 3000 metres on Thursday was our main target as he is a good stayer.” Patiently driven by Sailesh Abernethy, Village Rebel stepped away…

by Gayleen MacKinnon The Kidz Kartz Franklin Cup certainly made for an exciting New Year’s Eve at Alexandra Park. Despite wet conditions turning the track to slushy, young competitors showcased their determination and skills in abundance. The first place was claimed by Zoe Smith from Taranaki, who expertly steered her drive Nightmare to victory. Zoe, only fourteen years old, has been involved with Kidz Kartz for three years now since she attended a Taranaki Kidz Kartz open day with her family. This race marked Zoe’s debut at Alexandra Park –…