By Adam Hamilton The big brute is back. As polarizing as Expensive Ego is, it’s a delight to see him in full flight. And that’s just what we saw at Menangle when he returned from a freshen-up after a slightly disappointing Inter Dominion campaign. While the six-year-old is good at other tracks, he is monstrous at Menangle as last night showed. Driven with extreme aggressive and daring by Luke McCarthy, Expensive Ego just kept bowling along once he found the lead in splits of 26.3, 27.5, 27.2 and 28.2sec. He clocked…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Anthony Butt lands drive on Rock N Roll Doo
By Adam Hamilton Champion former Kiwi driver Anthony Butt has snared the pick-up drive on superstar Aussie pacer Rock N Roll Doo. Butt will partner the Victoria Cup hero in Saturday week’s Group 1 Ballarat Cup and almost certainly the Group 1 Hunter Cup on February 4. It comes after Rock N Roll Doo’s trainer-driver Mick Stanley suffered two broken vertebrae in a freakish mishap at Bendigo on Saturday night. Stanley remains in hospital and early medical advice says he will be sidelined for up to six weeks. Everything went…
Balle eyes bright future with maiden winner
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk There looks to be plenty in store for promising trotter Eye Love You after her dominant maiden success at Cambridge Raceway on Saturday. The daughter of Love You had all her previous outings at Alexandra Park and trainer Derek Balle was unsure how she would handle the left-handed way of going for the first time in the Off The Track Food & Bev Trot (2200m). However, she quickly dispelled those fears, trotting comfortably at the rear of the field before being sent forward down…
Bad Hombre headlines Hill’s team for Motukarara
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk After two wins in Central Otago to start 2023, North Canterbury trainer Brendon “Benny” Hill is eyeing up further success at the Banks Peninsula Trotting Club meeting on Sunday. “If I could get a win and a couple of placings I’d be happy,” he says of the four runners he’ll race on the grass at Motukarara. His best chance is Bad Hombre who’s had three thirds since resuming in December. The Art Major five-year-old will line up in race 3, the Chris Jones…
Gommans brings up 50 wins – “it was special”
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Palmerston North trainer John Gommans had a celebratory drink or two after bringing up his 50th training success. But just not with the tipple you’d expect. A purchase off gavelhouse for $1500, Whiskey On The Rocks was one of three winners for driver Nathan Delany at Tauherenikau on January 2. “I must admit it was special – my first ever win was emotional” “And that win was special too.” And how did he celebrate? “Not with a whiskey – I’m not a whiskey…
Forty Wives delivers deserved success
By Jonny Turner Veteran pacer Forty Wives delivered well-earned reward for the Sinnamon family when clinching his first victory in his 64th start at Cromwell yesterday. Trained by Central Otago’s only horse trainer – 85-year-old Lionel Sinnamon – the eight-year-old fought determinedly to win race 4. The Sinnamon family are the driving force behind the hugely popular Omakau trots which were again a highlight of the New Year’s harness racing circuit on Monday. Lionel Sinnamon trains his small team at the Omakau racecourse, with son Graham the President of the…
Hughie Wallace out to continue family dynasty
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Hughie Wallace will be out to continue broodmare gem Howz Lucky’s golden run when he contests the Off The Track Food & Bev Trot (2200m) at Cambridge Raceway on Saturday. The four-year-old gelding will be seeking to become his dam’s 10th winner from 11 foals, which includes Group One performer Madisonz Luck and Group Three performer Di’z Luck. Howz Lucky’s only other winless progeny is Rosemaryz Luck, who has proven to be a standout in the breeding barn, having produced multiple Group One winner…
Deceptive Lee could surprise in Cromwell Cup
by Jonny Turner Sam Ottley is hoping she doesn’t have to pull out the wet weather gear on the final day of the Central Otago New Year’s harness racing circuit. Though if she does it may boost the chances of Deceptive Lee in the Cromwell Cup. The David Mitchell trained pacer clearly has speed to burn on dry tracks, but his two runs on rain-affected turf were both outstanding. Deceptive Lee comes into the Cromwell feature after running a respectable fifth in the Central Otago Cup behind Henry Hubert. On…
Close battle in new trainers’ championship
There is a tie at the top of the new Seddon District Harness Racing Group Trainers’ championship for those holding a Licence to Train. After five of the championship’s 11 race days North Canterbury’s Gerard McCrea and Richmond’s Kevin Musso are both tied on 16 points in this category, three ahead of Ashburton’s William Lake, and Westport’s Phil Beveridge who are two points further back on 11. Prince Teka, who won at Westport on Boxing day, has been a grand performer for McCrea over the years while Melando Chief has…
Selections | Cromwell – Today
Racing journalist Jonny Turner’s selections for Wyndham Harness Racing Club meeting at Cromwell today. Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! RaceTime Jonny Turner Racing Journalist Race 12.30pm 3 Hot Saucy Betty12 Vertigo2 Summars8 Groovy L’Amour Race 23.03pm 4 Conquer Clare7 Stella patron11 Mamma Mia14 Betting Sensation Race 33.38pm 14 Styrax3 Wanna Play With Fire7 Contessa’s Pride2 Dame Margot Fonteyn Race 44.09pm 5 Hit The Lights13 B Smart1 Wavewatcher14 Ideal Chevron Race 54.50pm 6 La Moth13 Hes Santas Excuse15 Lizie Richter11 Spicy Girl Becqui Race 65.21pm 2 The Orange Roughy8…