Author: NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin It is rare second favourites winning feels like an upset but the Butcher boys managed to make it happen twice at Alexandra Park on Thursday night. David Butcher and his son Zachary are no strangers to winning the best races of the night in the sulky but they both did it as trainers on Thursday with Hooray Henry and Mantra Blue. Hooray Henry’s win was a career highlight as he sprinted past two-time New Zealand Cup winner Copy That in the latter’s return to racing. David Butcher…

The first rankings lists are out for the IRT New Zealand Cup and the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot to be held at Addington in November. In the Cup, defending champion Copy That is at number one followed by 2023 Auckland Cup winner Akuta and then Mossdale Ben and B D Joe who get in courtesy of their wins in the Cup qualifying races, the Maurice Holmes Vase and the New Brighton Cup. The only withdrawal so far is Alta Wiseguy after injury interrupted his preparation.  The top 15 ranked horses…

By Adam Hamilton Nathan Purdon is confident of winning at least one Vicbred final on Saturday night’s massive 12-Melton card. Purdon and his father, Mark, have two-year-old trotting filly We Can Have It All in her $100,000 final (race 12) and The Real Sherlock in the $150,000 Group 1 3YO Pacing Colts and Geldings’ final (race six). We Can Have It All is a firming ($1.80 into $1.75) favourite after drawing the pole and Purdon said she would be “much better” than when she qualified with a second placing in…

By Michael Guerin Punters worried about the early-season tactics when Triple G returns at Addington tonight shouldn’t be because driver John Dunn says the horse will be in charge. Triple G looks to have found the ideal comeback race in the $40,000 Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Harness 7000 race which he is eligible for even though he ran third in the group 1 Sires’ Stakes 3YO Final in May. Often when a horse is returning after such a long break, especially a horse with NZ Derby aspirations, there can be…

By Jonny Turner Facing the standing start tapes for the first time isn’t the main concern Brad Williamson has as Kracka Looka attempts to back up her big debut win at Ascot Park on Friday. The two-year-old will be out to make it two from two after beating a talented field when beginning her career at Ashburton recently. Two-year-olds having their first standing start can often be risky propositions for punters. However, the standing start conditions of race 5 are not the main concern for Williamson. “She has great manners…

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By Michael Guerin For a horse staring down his shot at greatness “podgy” will seem an unflattering description of Copy That ahead of his return to racing at Alexandra Park tonight. But trainer Ray Green says not only is it accurate but he wouldn’t have it any other way. Copy That resumes against just four rivals in the last race (9.17pm), one he would win effortlessly at his best even over the sometimes tricky mobile mile. Copy That has never been able to shake arch-rival Self Assured in their personal…

Alta Wiseguy out of NZ Cup Alta Wiseguy is out of the New Zealand Cup. The Mach Three five-year-old, who has won ten from 40 starts for Steve and Amanda Telfer, has a small fracture in his shoulder and will be officially withdrawn from the Cup tomorrow. The injury is not considered too serious and he is expected to be back later in the summer. Alta Wiseguy’s last start was a fourth behind Simply Sam, Hooray Henry and Kahlua Flybye at Alexandra Park a fortnight ago. His last win was…