Author: NZHarnessNews

Rangiora racecourse is out of action “until further notice” after gale force winds caused widespread damage over the weekend. Gusts of around 200 kilometres an hour swept acrosss the province, with Rangiora racecourse losing around 600 tons of its racing surface. “The track is down to its base in some parts,” says Harness Racing New Zealand’s Track and Venue Inspector John Denton, who was on site first thing this morning. “The worst part is just by the home bend.” A grader will start work today on re-distributing the remaining surface…

Now that many of the very best horses are coming out to play we are regularly updating what’s happening at the trials right around the country. Here’s the latest installment. Pukekohe Workouts Friday 13th October Weather Fine Track fastPerun (3g Betting Line – Bianca) Driven by his trainer Brent Mangos, Perun led from the outside gate and kept going too well for rivals MR:2:05.2, 800m in 57.9, 400m in 28.3 Penny Black (3f Sweet Lou – Tessa Rocks) trailed then was denied racing room on straightening, poked through late and…

Bring on the New Zealand Cup. That’s the message from trainer Jason Grimson after his latest stable star Swayzee returned from a break with an arrogant Menangle win last night. As Grimson watched Swayzee’s return win on TV at Melton, he was buzzing with confidence about the upcoming NZ trip. Instead of chasing last night’s Victoria Cup, Grimson opted for a lower key build-up and Swayzee resumed in the 2300m Les Chant free-for-all at Menangle. Despite sitting parked for much of the race, he cruised home by 5.6m in a blistering…

By Adam Hamilton Gifted Aussie pacer Captain Ravishing will target next month’s New Zealand Cup after his shock late scratching from the Victoria Cup. Trainer Ahmed Taiba was forced to withdraw the four-year-old just hours before the Cup with an elevated temperature. Outsider Act Now went to win a star-studded Cup, paying $72 for the win. “It’s nothing serious, but horse welfare has to come first and we didn’t want to take any risk with him at all,” Taiba said. Taiba and his brother, Hass, recently made the late entry…

By Mike Love Weedons trainer James Stormont will be looking for his first taste of Oamaru success as both a trainer and a driver when he lines up two runners on Sunday. “It’s the first time for training with a runner at Oamaru! I’ve been to Ashburton as a trainer, but never further south, so it’s all new to me.” A former Aucklander who’s now based in Canterbury, Stormont has had one drive around Oamaru racetrack when he steered Bold Sharvid into second placing behind Blossom Lady in the 1990…

By Jonny Turner Craig Ferguson warmed up for his Group 1 tilt at Addington on Friday night by turning heads at Wyndham on Thursday. The trainer-driver produced Rustenburg for a brilliant maiden win in the stunning time of 2-54.4 for 2400m to win the Lazarus Standing at Nevele R Stud Mobile Pace.  The three-year-old was beaten by a classy type in Dreams Are Free on debut at Winton. But Ferguson had a plan to avenge that defeat on Thursday. “We’re pretty pleased with that, he sat back last start and…

Now that many of the very best horses are coming out to play we are regularly updating what’s happening at the trials right around the country. Here’s the latest installment. Rangiora Trials Wednesday 11th OctoberWeather Fine / Track Good Smoke On The Water (3g Art Major – Left In The Dark) The Purvis trained runner, in the hands of the trainer, sat midfield before working into the 1×1 1000m from home swept up around the final turn to quickly establish his superiority. MR: 2:03.3, 800m in 56.9, 400m 28.5. Big…

by Jonny Turner After nearly eighteen months of anticipation, a long-awaited showdown of superstars will finally take place on Friday night at Addington. Brilliant square gaiters Muscle Mountain and Bolt For Brilliance will finally renew their massive rivalry in the Group Three Canterbury Park Trotting Cup. Bolt For Brilliance started off his season in style, triumphing over a lower-grade field before making his way south for the huge night of feature racing at Addington on Friday night. Just a week prior, Muscle Mountain powered his way to victory in the…

By Michael Guerin When punters think of the biggest harness racing meetings Cambridge trainers Arna Donnelly and Matty White are probably not who first come to mind. Especially at Addington on a NZB Harness Million night, the kind of age group races usually completely taken over by mega barns like the All Stars. Yet the two Cambridge trainers, and in White’s case also as a freelance driver, find themselves with huge winning chances in three of the richest races and upset hopes in two of the others at the strongest…