Author: NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk It’s been nearly 30 years in the making but trainer Des Baynes produced a rare quinella on one of Southland’s biggest race days on Sunday. Storyteller and Repetitive, both sporting Baynes’ distinctive gold and brown hoops, went 1-2 in the Betavet Mobile pace on Diamonds Day at Invercargill. Records show it was his first quinella since Out All Knight and Toss The Dice delivered at Invercargill on Jan 14, 1994. His response : “Good grief – it’s worse than I thought … it’s…

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk After last racing in an eventful $100,000 Group 1 at Addington, Secret Delight will line up at Ashburton today, rating an each way chance in Race 7, the McIntosh Catering Pace (4.15pm). Trained by Telfer/Cullen, the smart three-year-old filly warmed up for her race day return by winning a trial at Rangiora nearly a fortnight ago and is currently the second favourite  ($6)  behind the red hot All Stars runner Vinke B ($1.60). It’s her first race since Grand Prix day at Addington…

By Michael Guerin Taylor Mile winner Akuta is going to be allowed to miss the Group 1 Messenger at Alexandra Park this Friday even though there is nothing wrong with the star four-year-old. Akuta grabbed his brave stablemate Self Assured and impressive Victorian pacer Better Eclipse in the last stride of the $90,000 Mile at Alexandra Park last Friday after an early burn saw hot favourite Copy That left vulnerable in front. He was the third different winner in the three open class pacing features in the north in 15…

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk As long as he negotiates the start without incident, Ventura is the “one to beat” in today’s Fresh Choice Geraldine Handicap Pace, according to driver Craig Thornley. The smart four-year-old resumes on the grass at Orari after an eye catching second at the trials behind five race winner Wheels Of Fortune at Ashburton last Saturday. He’ll start off 10 metres and that Thornley says is the key to his chances. “He can be a quick beginner but we wouldn’t want him standing around…

by Jonny Turner Methven trainer Mike Heenan heads down the road to Geraldine today having done all he can with his four-horse team. It is now up to the weather gods to have the final say on exactly how his quartet are placed. Heenan lines up two grass track specialists in Boyz Invasion and Sisters Delight at today’s Orari meeting. Sister’s Delight starts from barrier 1 in race 9 and she looks a genuine each way chance. Heenan’s only concern heading into the event is how much forecast rain will…

By Michael Guerin Respect could be the biggest weapon on display in the open class group races at Alexandra Park tonight. Many of the elite pacing stars who contested last Friday’s $1million Race by Grins at Cambridge return for the Taylor Mile while the Lyell Creek Trot sees Muscle Mountain come north to take on Australian visitor Aldebaran Zeus, who led most of the way to win the big trot at Cambridge last Friday. Race by Grins winner Copy That has drawn perfectly at barrier 2 in the Taylor Mile,…