Author: NZHarnessNews

Now that we are in spring the good horses are coming out to play and that’s why we are regularly updating what’s happening at the trials right around the country. Here’s the latest installment.  Winton Workouts Thursday 14th September(Weather Fine Track Fast) Raklou (2f Sweet Lou – Raksbet) The smart 2yo, a winner of three from just four starts, was back from her spell running fourth in behind Captain Tom (R35 to R66 pace) who led over the final lap and stayed on too well for his rivals in a…

Greg O’Connor continues his one-on-one series with John Dickie. 

There will be two new faces at the upcoming McMillan Equine Feeds Junior Driver Championships. The championship, which dates back to the 1970s, will kick off at Addington on Thursday 5th October, then head to Invercargill on Friday 6th October and conclude at Methven on Sunday 8th October. It’s hoped there will be two races at Addington, three at Invercargill and one at Methven.  In each race seventeen points will be allocated to the winning driver, with 12 for second, and 10 for third. Points will go all the way…

Harness Racing New Zealand’s Blue September campaign has exceeded the $15,000 mark. The country’s leading driver Blair Orange has a total of seven wins raising up to $300 per win, with Matty White, Jonny Cox, Nathan Williamson and Matty Williamson all on three wins. Zachary Butcher, Robbie Close and Mark Hurrell are sitting on two wins for the campaign. This is the third year that HRNZ has been involved, with 12 ambassadors, each wearing their distinctive blue pants, raising money every time they win a race during the month. HRNZ…

By Jonny Turner A powerful victory in the Hannon Memorial doesn’t necessarily mean Aardie’s Express is heading straight towards the New Zealand Cup. The Stonewall Stud mare powered along the inner to clinch victory in the traditional New Zealand Cup lead-up at Oamaru yesterday for driver Tim Williams. Despite being the veteran of just 13 starts, the four-year-old showed all of the poise and power required to be a genuine New Zealand Cup contender. But the Stonewall Stud camp, headed by trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer, is not ready to…

By Adam Hamilton Star Kiwi-owned mare Amore Vita overcame “feeling a bit flat” to grab a slice of Aussie harness history at Melton last night. The Steve Dolan owned-and-bred mare joined former stablemate Maajida to become only the second female pacer to take a clean sweep of the Vicbred series, winning the two, three and four-year-old finals. “Maybe she was a bit flat after last week, but she felt a bit doey tonight,” driver Chris Alford said, who has been aboard for all three wins. “I really had to wake…

By Jonny Turner Fitness levels will collide when this year’s New Zealand Cup hopefuls clash in the Group 3 Hannon Memorial at Oamaru today. The ever-evolving nature of the build-up to the New Zealand Cup will again see a big contingent of emerging horses clash with more seasoned open class performers. Up-and-comers Aardie’s Express and Anything Goes head the market for the Hannon Memorial and both bring crucial race fitness to the event. Aardie’s Express will step back into the open class fold after demolishing a lower-grade field in her…

Jonny Turner’s selections for Oamaru today.              Race   Jonny TurnerRacing Journalist  Race 112.10pm 3 Dean James2 Whosdreamingnow7 Goorambat Art8 Heaven    Race 212.38pm 2 Moses4 George Eliot11 Luvavici8 Wypout  Race 31.06pm 3 Boarding Call9 Flo Motion5 Shards Fury1 Justin Fun  Race 41.33pm 5 Missile7 Cody Banner6 Our Pinocchio8 Aveross Majesty  Race 51.58pm 4 Double Jeopardy6 Shards Matrix2 Chase A Dream5 Spirit Of Anarchy  Race 62.25pm 3 Tokyo Rose6 Aardiebytheseaside4 Treacherous Gall7 Forever Me  Race 73.04pm 3 Pembrook Playboy4 Anything Goes2 Franco Norton8 Aardie’s Express…

For 85 years the Hannon Memorial has been a fixture on the racing calendar. As well as being a key race in its right it is also plays a significant role in the build up race to the New Zealand Cup. But what do we know of the Hannon and its origins? The race is named in memory of one Michael Joseph Hannon, a dentist in Oamaru who went on to become the president of the Oamaru Trotting Club from 1921 to 1938. His interest in the sport was sparked…