By Adam Hamilton Brilliant four-year-old Catch A Wave could be a surprise Hunter Cup runner. The plan was always to target the Group 1 Chariots Of Fire in Sydney on February 18, but trainer Andy Gath is warming to Victoria’s biggest race on February 4. Gath’s change of heart came after Catch A Wave brilliantly won a heat of the quirky Mercury80 series over just 1200m at Melton last night. “We’ve got some thinking to do and lots of options,” Gath said. “His next run will be on February 4,…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Copy That’s Ballarat Cup win “pretty comprehensive”
By Adam Hamilton Trainer Ray Green insists Copy That is the horse to beat in Saturday week’s $500,000 Hunter Cup. Off the back of last night’s easy Ballarat Cup win, Green believes his stable star is in the best form of his career. “I think he’s the best he’s ever been,” he said. “He’s always had the speed, but he’s kept maturing over the past couple of years and getting stronger. “He’s the horse to beat in the Hunter Cup on what we saw last night. It was a pretty…
Tomlinson back at Blenheim after four-win Friday
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Sheree Tomlinson knows Sunday’s meeting at Blenheim is going to be a tough act to follow. On Friday on the grass at Waterlea, Tomlinson produced a personal best four winners, bookending the programme with Brian Beatt, paying $31.70 in the first, and favourite Whats Wanted in the last. Her other victories were with Fourth Amendment for trainer Brad Mowbray, and Zsa Zoe in Race 5. “It was amazing.” For Tomlinson, who famously drove Amaretto Sun to an upset win in the 2017 Dominion,…
Whale Watch – Blenheim – Today
Craig “The Whale” Thompson shares his thoughts on Blenheim today.
Home track heroics for Gill
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Kendra Gill was on cloud nine after recording her first training win at Waterlea Raceway on Friday with Amarla in the Carters Blenheim Mobile Pace (1850m). Gill is in her second season training in partnership with her grandfather, Mark, who has been instrumental in her involvement with harness racing. “My Grandad, Mark, has been training since before I could walk,” Gill said. “I did the equestrian side for many years and then I had a couple of knee reconstructions, so riding became a bit…
Robert Dunn injured in track accident
By Michael Guerin A winning double at Alexandra Park on Friday night didn’t put the usual smile on senior training partner Robert Dunn’s face. Because he wasn’t there to enjoy it, being at the far less enjoyable Middlemore Hospital south of Auckland after an early morning track accident. Dunn was getting MRI scans around the time firstly The Brave then Mountain Mass won races 2 and 2 respectively, after having fallen from the sulky heading to the Pukekohe training track on Friday morning. He was diagnosed with a broken elbow…
Macandrew Aviator highlights big day for Green at Ascot Park
By Jonny Turner Macandrew Aviator clinched a richly deserved victory with his perfect performance in the Group 3 Northern Southland Cup at Ascot Park yesterday. After competing admirably against New Zealand’s best pacers through spring and summer, it was the six-year-old’s turn to bask in the Invercargill sun. The victory was set up by the brilliant beginning Macandrew Aviator made which allowed driver Craig Ferguson to slot him into a perfect run in the trail. The pacer didn’t waste that opportunity when powering to victory for trainer Kirstin Green and…
Artisan serves up victory in Breeders’ Stakes
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk The well-known silver and blue silks of Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan were once again to the fore at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night. The Clevedon barn went into the meeting’s feature, the Waikato Pacing Breeders’ Stakes (1700m), with the two fancied runners and went home with the winning cheque courtesy of Artisan. Driver Zachary Butcher eased her off the gate from her wide draw to settle off the pace. She remained near the rear of the field before following Mahia Dream three-wide down…
Old Town Road “will need luck” in Ballarat Cup
By Adam Hamilton Part-owner Josh Dickie thinks a tricky draw is an ideal draw for Old Town Road in Saturday night’s Group 1 Ballarat Cup. The emerging Kiwi star will start from inside the back row (gate eight) – most likely behind Rock N Roll Doo – in the 2710m feature. “For where he’s at, I think it’s an ideal draw,” Dickie said. “He’s already on the pegs, is assured of an easy run and if there’s no scratchings, we’re drawn to follow Anthony Butt and Rock N Roll Doo.…
Double Delight at Alexandra Park tonight “hard to beat”
By Michael Guerin Tony Herlihy has had a small win this week even before he takes his Harness Jewels champ Double Delight to Alexandra Park tonight. Because he now has back in the stable, albeit it in a non-working capacity, his stable star Bolt For Brilliance as he continues his recovery from a fractured pedal bone. Bolt For Brilliance suffered that injury in the final round of heats of the Inter Dominions in Victoria last month, not only costing him his spot in the Final which he was favourite to…