Author: NZHarnessNews

On this day 25 years ago, a little brown standardbred foal was born at Winbak Farm in Canada, later to be named Bettor’s Delight. Since that time Bettor’s Delight has gone on from strength to strength on both the racetrack and in the stallion barn. He was purchased for $65,000 at the 1999 Harrisburg Yearling Sales. He was trained by Scott McEneny and as a 2-year-old he lit up the track winning several feature races including the Nassagaweya Stake, Breeders Crown 2YO Colt & Gelding Pace and Governors Cup. Because…

By Adam Hamilton Young Kiwi horseman Kyle Marshall’s move to Australia just went to another level. Marshall’s stable star and one of the best of his age in New Zealand, Son Of Mac, arrived in Australia yesterday (Wednesday). The American Ideal colt has raced just 11 times for three wins and three placings, but turned heads with a slashing and close second to superstar Merlin in the Group 1 Northern Derby on March 23 at Alexandra Park. “We’re super excited he’s across here now,” Marshall said, “he was coming, then…

By Michael Guerin Punters shouldn’t be concerned by High Energy’s lack of right-handed experience for her Alexandra Park debut tonight because trainer Mark Purdon isn’t. The unbeaten trotting filly (6-6) will be a hot favourite in the $27,000 What The Hill Oaks and is the first leg of a double rare even for Purdon as in the next race he has the also unbeaten pacing filly Millwood Nike (12-12). That is two fillies unbeaten in a combined 18 starts and you could spend a lot of time thinking about it…

By Kimberly Rinker, for Harnesslink Nicole Thomas, a long-time harness racing enthusiast and industry breeding manager, is having the time of her life at Diamond Creek Farm in Kentucky. The 29-year-old was born in Nelson but moved to Christchurch during her high school years to work for Nevele R Stud. “That got me hooked on the business,” Nicole offered. “I really fell in love with the breeding end of the industry. Watching the foals grow and develop and seeing them become racehorses, dealing with them from day one and seeing…

Here’s Greg O’Connor and Darrin Williams with the latest Addington News. 

by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett will have an unusual trans-Tasman dimension to their racing team over the next few days. They will have their first Kiwi starter in Sydney on Saturday night and an Aussie will debut for the stable at Alexandra Park on Thursday night. All Cashed Up has joined their Waiuku base after winning nine races in Australia for owner-breeder Yabby Dam Farms. The now seven-year-old has only raced here once before, at the 2019 Harness Jewels at Addington. “He had…

By Michael Guerin Trainer John Dickie is convinced Old Town Road’s Auckland Cup campaign is back on track. But he says getting him back from the track might be the problem. The Race by Grins runner-up has not been seen since then and Dickie says that is partially due to developing the most unusual of problems. “He has become a bit of a bad traveller but not going to the races, only coming home,” says Dickie. “His last two starts have been at Cambridge and both times he has gone…

The eagerly anticipated $90,000 Hydroflow NZ Country Championship Final is just over a week away, and it’s now known who is eligible and who is not.  A capacity field of 16 will start in the Listed race at Addington on Friday May 12 after a qualifying series that featured 41 races, starting way back with the Kurow Cup last August. The final race was the Waimakariri Businesses Rangiora Winter Cup on Sunday. Points are accrued throughout the series but to eligible horses must have had a minimum of three qualifying…

Harness Racing New Zealand Chief Executive Gary Woodham has now left hospital, and is recovering at home. Gary has made good progress since undergoing surgery on Wednesday after having a medical event at work. He would like to thank the many well wishers who have been in touch over the last few days. He is also very grateful to the first responders and others who came to his aid during what was a very difficult time. In Gary’s absence General Manager Corporate Services Liz Bishop will be responsible for all…