Author: NZHarnessNews

Big Al carries big hopes for Stewart

NZHarnessNews

By Mike Love  Father-daughter trainers Steve Clarke and Hayley Stewart will be looking for their first training success as a partnership today at Addington Raceway.  It is their fifth season of partnership from their Norwood base just outside Christchurch and so far they have recorded five placings – three of which have come this season with maiden trotter Big Al ($3.70FF) who lines up in Race 2, the Mid-Winter Christmas On Sale Now Trot over 2600m (5:04pm). Big Al, who will be driven by Steve Clarke, comes into today after…

Official Notices – Recent Regulation Amendments

NZHarnessNews

HRNZ has issued updates to several regulations to support industry best practices. Recent amendments include: Centralised Stakes Payment Scheme Regulations New procedures for slot race payment administration Updated processes for paying stakes to overseas bank accounts Minor Infringement Regulations New penalty provision for drivers talking on the track Sulky Fund Regulations Approval of the UFO Eclipse sulky (no crossbar) for use Click on each regulation above to view the full notice and details.

Each-way all day for Josh Dickie

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Tuesday could well be Josh Dickie’s time to shine at Manawatu. The Raceway had new lights installed last week and they will be on show for the first time tonight and on Thursday. Costing around $300,000 the project was planned and co-ordinated by Andrew Neal and local committee member/trainer Stephen Doody with funding from the club, the Racing Safety Fund and the Manawatu-based Central Energy Trust. Dickie has seven drives on the day, six of them for his employer Stonewall Stud and trainers…

HRNZ – OnTrack reminder

NZHarnessNews

Reminder from Brad Steele, Chief Executive HRNZ  :  The sudden passing of Greg Sugars has deeply saddened the entire harness racing community.  Greg was admired by so many for his talent, leadership, and genuine character, and his loss is already being felt profoundly by many. Processing such a tragedy is not easy, and everyone does it differently, and I just want people to know that there is help out there if needed. Support is available through OnTrack. They provide a confidential service for everyone involved in racing and can be…

Rack’em Up racks up first win

NZHarnessNews

By Mike Love   West Melton trainer Andrew Drake didn’t have to wait long for Rack’em Up to break his maiden status. The Betting Line three-year-old, who he also co-owns, took out the DMJ Builders-Anne Thompson Graduation (Heat 2) Mobile at Rangiora yesterday.  “It’s super. We are rapt with that,” said Drake.  Rack’em Up, driven by Jonny Cox, settled four back the markers for the majority of the 2600m journey. Gaps presented when the acid went on and Cox was able to work off the fence into a prominent position,…

Vale Greg Sugars

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin The harness racing community on both sides of the Tasman is reeling after the sudden death of one of its superstars in Victorian horseman Greg Sugars. The 40-year-old was found dead in his hotel room near the Menangle racetrack outside Sydney on Saturday afternoon. He is believed to have died in his sleep. Sugars had driven from Victoria to Sydney on Friday to campaign horses trained by his wife Jess Tubbs, who confirmed his passing on social media on Saturday night. When Sugars didn’t turn up to…

Peg delivers special win in Southern Oaks

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner  Delightful Peg delivered a tight-knit crew a special thrill when showing her true worth to win the Group 2 Macca Lodge-Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks. The Canterbury pacer had flown into a gallop when taking the passing lane in her last two starts leading into Southland’s premier race for three-year-old fillies. But when driver Matthew Williamson angled the Brad Mowbray-trained filly into exactly the same spot on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park, she delivered a powerful and professional victory. Williamson and Mowbray’s association dates back to around…

Jumal “the wee gem” stars on Diamonds Day

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner  There is only going to be one argument between Steven Reid and Samantha Ottley after Jumal’s Group 1 win on Diamonds Day. The two-year-old justified his red-hot favouritism with a brilliant win in the Group 1 Diamond Creek Farm Classic at Ascot Park. While Reid and Ottley are in complete agreement on Jumal being a classy customer, the pair are yet to agree on who is the bigger fan of the exciting youngster. “I think Steven thinks he’s his number one fan, but no, I certainly am,”…

Pinseeker with big handicap to overcome in today’s Winter Cup

NZHarnessNews

By Mike Love  It’s a change of scene and occasion for Pinseeker today. After a huge fifth in the $1m Race by betcha at Cambridge three weeks ago, won sensationally by Leap To Fame, Pinseeker returns to action at Rangiora this afternoon. He’ll start a $3.40 favourite in the Waimakariri Businesses Rangiora Winter Cup. While The Race by betcha was a 2200 mobile against Australasia’s best, today will be a 2600m stand for $25,000 with Pinseeker and trainer-driver Jonny Cox having to overcome a 35 metre handicap. The Downbytheseaside five-year-old…