By Adam Hamilton While buzz pacer Leap To Fame chases the biggest win of his career at Albion Park in Queensland on Saturday night, Miracle Mile winner Catch A Wave will make a low-key return to racing 1800kms away at Melton in Victoria. Andy and Kate Gath’s four-year-old steps out for the first time since winning that $1mil Miracle Mile on March 4 at Menangle when he faces just five rivals in the Preux Chevalier free-for-all (2240m). With Leap To Fame’s stunning dominance sparking calls he could be the best…
Author: NZHarnessNews
News briefs : July 19
Matariki luncheon “big success” A special harness racing themed fund-raiser in Christchurch has been hailed a big success. Around 100 people attended the Matariki day luncheon at the Papanui Club with all proceeds going to help the work done in mental health by Craig “Wiggy” Wiggins and Salvation Army racecourse chaplain Andrew McKerrow. Among the guest speakers on the day were Mark Purdon, Blair Orange, John Dunn and Sam Ottley. At least $15,000 was raised, with a number of auction items attracting a lot of interest. They included an Addington…
Racing NZ establishes instrumental mental health programme
A new initiative aimed at addressing mental health and wellbeing within New Zealand’s racing industry is underway. A collaboration between Thoroughbred, Harness, and Greyhound racing, implemented by Racing NZ, will see the codes join forces to create an effective and research-driven mental health and suicide prevention programme right across the country. “The three racing codes are united in our vision to make sure we are there to help those associated with our sport and provide ongoing support to them. Our wellbeing initiative is a top priority for us, and I…
“Woody” set for primetime TV cameo
A life after racing can lead horses to doing some weird and wonderful things. On Wednesday Woodstone, an 11 win trotter who retired two years ago, will feature on TVNZ’s Seven Sharp as part of a “selection” panel for the women’s Football World Cup that kicks off this Thursday. If the concept sounds familiar it should. During the 2010 World Cup Paul the Octopus became an international sensation when he correctly predicted the winner of 12 out of 14 games. “I looked out my window at home and thought Woody…
Ex Kiwi draws well in Blacks A Fake
By Adam Hamilton Former classy Kiwi pacer Hot And Treacherous ran a booming race against Leap To Fame last week and has the draw to test the Queensland champ again in Saturday night’s $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake (2680m) at Albion Park. Now in the care of Jack Butler, Hot And Treacherous drew the pole and should be straight behind leader Turn It Up, who will then likely look to take a trail himself. So, Hot And Treacherous, who boasts two wins and three placings in good company since…
Leap To Fame could race in NZ next season – twice
By Michael Guerin The trainer of Australasia’s most exciting pacer has made a surprising admission about the races he would most dearly love to win with Leap To Fame. The four-year-old stallion has been stunning during the Queensland winter carnival, thrashing his older rivals in the A$200,000 Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park on Saturday night and he is red hot to repeat that in this Saturday’s Blacks A Fake. While trainer-driver Grant Dixon says his main aim for the season is the A$2.1million Eureka, the new Sydney slot race on…
First double for Gray – “massive buzz”
By Mike Love, Harness News Desk West Melton trainer Joseph Gray was rewarded with his first double at Addington yesterday with Press Play and King Arthur both winning. With the hard work and quibbles that come with winter hours, Gray is feeling chuffed to tick off the achievement. “It’s a massive buzz. I work full-time (for Andrew Garters), so lately we’ve been still training my horses at 5.45pm at night, and its cold, and its dark, and we’re thinking why are we doing this? And today’s result is why.” In…
The Coalman and his Kaiapoi connection
With The Coalman winning his fourth race at Addington last Thursday night Rob Courtney profiles his owner-breeder, and reveals how the horse got its name. by Rob Courtney Like many of his generation, Kaiapoi born and bred Craig McConchie, owner of The Coalman, was taken to the races often as a young fella by his family. McConchie remembers vividly a photo proudly hanging in the family garage of his father holding onto champion Highland Fling. “Dad (The ‘Cobbler) had a shoe shop in Rangiora and through those community connections, as…
Aussie News – July 16
By Adam Hamilton Kiwi-owned mare Amore Vita added to her already impressive CV with arguably the biggest win of her career in last night’s $150,000 Group 1 Garrards The Golden Girl (1660m) at Albion Park. In a hotly contested feature, Amore Vita was strong and classy enough to sustain a three-wide run around the field from last without cover and still snatch victory in a blazing 1min50.5sec mile rate for 1660m. It was an all Kiwi finish with Bob Butt’s Manhattan using the sprint lane from behind the leader to…
Leap To Fame goes next level in Sunshine Sprint
By Adam Hamilton It is a rare and special horse to step straight into the open-class big league and that’s exactly what Leap To Fame did last night. Grant Dixon’s pacing sensation made light of a wide draw and unsuitably short 1660m trip to blow his rivals away yet again, this time in the $200,000 Group 1 Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park. The only thing that matched Leap To Fame’s dominance was the brave, daring and brilliant driver from Dixon. “I’m super proud of him. He had to overcome a…