By Frank Marrion courtesy of the HarnessXpress Christchurch is a real possibility to be standing at stud just outside Christchurch at Nevele R in the not too distant future. The big Always B Miki colt is part-owned by Spreydon Lodge and went some way towards securing a stud career when he recently won an elimination heat of the Pepsi North America Cup in 1.48.4. Christchurch had his chance in the $1 million dollar final when sixth, timed in 1.48.2 after racing three-fence and finishing about three lengths from the winner.…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Lincoln Farms owners celebrate 1000 winners
By Barry Lichter Auckland racehorse owners John and Lynne Street celebrated a remarkable milestone of 1000 winners when Lincoln River won at Alexandra Park tonight. It was the 573rd harness winner for the Lincoln Farms’ owners and, along with 427 galloping winners, credited them with a tally which only one other person in New Zealand history has officially achieved. Southlander Bill Hazlett won more than 1000 races as an owner until his death in 1978, but only with thoroughbreds. Southlander Bill Hazlett owned an estimated 1015 winners.In his book Tapestry Of…
Franco Sinatra and Bella Button among winning chances at Addington tonight
By Jonny Turner Winners are set to keep winning at Addington on Friday night. Among those who return to the track after recent success is Franco Sinatra who has shown he has all the attributes to take out race 6. The three-year-old has been one of the most progressive horses in Canterbury through winter and autumn for the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety stable. During his run of four wins from just seven starts, the pacer has shown high speed, as well as stamina, which was on full show in his…
Big moment for Lazarus colt at Alexandra Park
By Brigette Solomon He’s regarded as New Zealand’s best pacer in recent history and now the first of Lazarus’ progeny is about to hit the racetrack in this country. Tonight at Alexandra Park Jeremiah (Lazarus – Flyover) will make his debut in race 9, the Auckland Co-op Taxis 300-3000 Mobile pace at 9.17pm for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan. The two-year-old black colt will be the stallion’s first starter in New Zealand. He looked smart when qualifying at Pukekohe last week. “He has plenty of ability but he’s only…
Addington Weekly : June 28
Here’s Greg O’Connor and Darrin Williams with the latest Addington News.
“Electric” Folklore retired from race track
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Iain Wilson fair beams with pride when discussing his mighty mare Folklore. “She’s exceptional,” he says, “and she has given us a great ride.” But now after 13 wins from 78 starts and $185,355, the Sportswriter seven-year-old has been retired from racing, and will soon be heading to the breeding barn. “She’s the best I’ve had,” says the Winton-based Wilson, who owns Folklore along with his wife Nola, “and we’ve had a great run with her.” Her last race was a seventh in…
News Briefs – June 28
Bella heads winner’s list in 2023 With her win at Addington on Friday night, Bella Button has now won the most races of any harness horse in New Zealand this year. Driven by regular pilot Gemma Thornley the six-year-old mare justified her favouritism by winning by three quarters of a length. It was the Mark Jones-trained trotter’s seventh win in 2023, eclipsing the six wins by the unbeaten Millwood Nike and Muscle Mountain. Bella Button has now had eight wins overall, with earnings of $81,329. Williams goes to the dogs…
Odgers trains first winner in more than a decade
by Rob Courtney North Canterbury trainer-owner-breeder Ken Odgers has been licenced to train standardbreds since 1983 and the win of Prima Donna on Sunday at Addington was his first training success since 2009. But if you think he has been idle during this time, one only has to listen to his ‘back story’ to realise this is far from the reality for the now 67-year-old. Only ever doing a few at a time, including all aspects of the training, Odgers has clearly been a ‘seller’ of his stock over a…
Vale Ken Dixon
After being involved in training for more than 50 years, Ken Dixon has died in Christchurch after a battle with cancer. Responsible for the development of top class horses including Makati Galahad and Whale Of A Tale, Dixon was originally a Winton sheep farmer and very much a hobby trainer before retiring and moving north to Prebbleton just outside Christchurch around 17 years ago. After starting out in the 1970s he had 57 training successes, and drove 27 winners. His last winner was Sheer Class at Invercargill in 2017 when…
White thrilled to win amateur title
By Mike Love, Harness News Desk Oamaru farrier and track worker Barry White has been successful in the 2023 New Zealand Amateur driving championships over the weekend, labelling it a career highlight. “It’s quite a thrill. Leading into it you can only dream of getting enough points, but to then go on and win a couple of heats and then a third – I’m pretty rapt.” White told Harness Unhinged’s Nigel Armstrong. White didn’t score any points in the opening held at Cambridge on Thursday night, but won with Shards…