Author: NZHarnessNews

In the final episode of this series Greg O’Connor goes one-on-one with Zachary Butcher. 

by Don Rae Behind The Breeds is a new series where breeding enthusiast Don Rae takes a deep dive into the pedigree of some of today’s trotters and pacers. In today’s third edition he casts his eye on the trials in Mid Canterbury. Among a raft of blueblood qualifiers at the Ashburton trials, there were three standouts from a breeding perspective, all from the trotting ranks. Matty Williamson’s filly Majestic Lady was the first to qualify by running second in the 2YO Mobile Trot. By Majestic Son from the Holdonmyheart…

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 Saturday 7th OctoberWeather Showery Track fast Merlin (3c Art Major – Imaginary Bet) In his final hit out before heading south, the class 3yo trailed stablemate Sooner The Bettor (who trailed the galloping pacemaker), both popped out at the 400m, Merlin widest of all, and the two Purdon/Phelan runners could not be separated at the line, MR:2:02.9, 800m…

By Adam Hamilton Mark Purdon is well placed to win a fourth Victoria Derby final after The Real Sherlock’s upset victory in a heat of the series at Melton last night. In the biggest shock of the night, Australia’s top-rated three-year-old The Lost Storm led and was easily rundown as a $1.12 favourite in the second Derby heat. It was The Real Sherlock, who did plenty early from a wide draw to get back and then took the one-one trail, who finished best to beat Perfect Class in the stronger…

Sarah O’Reilly has put herself in prime position to win her fourth New Zealand Junior Drivers championship title at Methven on Sunday. The country’s top junior driver is leading with 60 points going into the final heat of the championships. She will drive Kennedy in race 6 (2.29pm). On day two at Invercargill O’Reilly took out two of the three heats, with Ellz Angel and With A Bang, to have a six point lead over Zev Meredith. Meredith however drives the well supported Kalasa ($5.50) while Kennedy is an outsider…

By Jonny Turner Franco Indie is ready to step back up to the big leagues, starting with Sunday’s Group 3 Methven Cup. The Mark and Nathan Purdon trained pacer comes into the 3000m staying feature third up following a decent spell. Franco Indie produced a handy second first up before smashing the clock in his next second placing, speeding home in a sensation 25.8sec last 400 and being unlucky in the process. With those two runs under his belt, Nathan Purdon feels the timing is right for Franco Indie to…

By Jonny Turner Walkinonsunshine showed why she’s the best three-year-old trotting filly in New Zealand with her victory in the Southland Trotting Oaks. Driver Blair Orange took control of the feature event, utilising his charge’s gate speed to set up a front-running victory at Ascot Park. After bagging her second Oaks title, following her Northern Oaks win earlier this year, Walkinonsunshine is on track for another tilt against the boys for trainer Tom Bagrie. The runner-up in the Group One Northern Trotting Derby will head to the Hambletonian at Ashburton…

By Michael Guerin They were two perfect comebacks by two wonderful horses but their connections left Alexandra Park on Friday knowing far greater challenges lie ahead. Old Town Road and Bolt For Brilliance overcame vastly different handicaps after vastly different spells to both win their comeback races on Friday and remind us just how special they are. First up it was Old Town Road in the Kerry Hoggard Memorial – Holmes D G, a race trainer John Dickie was worried his star was going into short of peak fitness. His…

By Adam Hamilton Things are hotting right up at home for Purdon Racing, but they still have some unfinished business in Australia. Their three-horse Victorian team still has four feature races on the agenda, starting with tonight’s (Friday) $50,000 Group 2 Need For Speed Princess final (1720m) at Melton. High Energy will have to overcome a back row draw and star local Rockinwithattutide. “She’s not a filly who can take a lot of work, so she was underdone in the heat, but she’s very close to her top for this…