Author: NZHarnessNews

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Local trainer Michael Heenan is welcoming the return of racing to Methven on Sunday where he will have a handful of runners on the grass track. “We are over the moon to be back racing at Methven,” Heenan said. “All the guys have been out this week working hard, and the builders have just about finished the new roof on the grandstand. “The track is in great order. We had trials here last Saturday and I think it put everyone in a good mood…

By Jonny Turner Fitness may not be the key in the return of Stonewall Stud’s stars to the open class fray. Trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer will step B D Joe and Alta Wiseguy out in the second New Zealand Cup qualifier of the spring – Friday night’s New Brighton Cup. B D Joe returned to racing in style at Addington last week, showing perfect standing start manners to put away a middle-grade field. Alta Wiseguy comes into Friday night’s feature fresh up, with Steve Telfer admitting B D Joe…

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Hamilton trainers Graeme Rogerson and Dylan Ferguson have become a dominant force at Cambridge Raceway and they are hoping to continue their strong run on Thursday. The pair will be represented by eight runners at the Waikato track and they are confident they can head home with a couple of winning cheques. Loutenant has been in consistent form, stringing together three placings before breaking through for his maiden win last start, and his connections are hoping for a repeat performance on Thursday in the…

By Jonny Turner Kerryn Tomlinson hopes Domination’s Call can take advantage of the head-start he has on his key rivals in an intriguing clash of trotters at Wyndham on Thursday. The Brad Williamson trained four-year-old could fly under the radar when he takes on in form rivals like his stablemate Expensive Crumpet, as well as Peregrine and Wai Key Wee. Domination’s Call comes into race 5 after making a rare mistake in his last outing at Winton. Usually a much more reliable type, the trotter may offer punters some eachway…

by Adam Hamilton There is something super exciting about young Kiwi-bred trotter Ollivici. And his master trainer-driver Chris Lang is doing nothing to douse the hype. Lang started talking about possible Elitlopp trips to Sweden after Ollivici thrashed his rivals to win the Group 2 Tornado Valley final at Melton last Friday night. The son of Orlando Vici is a half-brother to former superstar Stent, being out of Belle Galleon. Ollivici has looked arrogant at times in his unbeaten five runs this campaign. “He’s potentially as good as I’ve trained,”…

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Paul Nairn is looking forward to heading to Ashburton on Sunday where he will line-up a handful of debutants, including four juveniles. Four-year-old gelding Tu Tangata will kick-off the day for the Leeston horseman, who will also take the reins behind the son of Waterloo Sunset in the Happy Birthday “Trevor Robertson” Trot (2400m). Tu Tangata has been in good form in his workouts and trials in the lead-up to his debut and Nairn is confident of a good result should his gelding bring…

By Jonny Turner Two stirring trial performances have Matua Tana ready to make a big return to Addington on Friday night. The trotter heads back to the track to start his spring campaign after spelling following a mistake filled northern campaign. If his trials are anything to go by, the big striding squaregaiter is ready to turn his manners around when he takes on a small but select field in race 3. The trotter gets a key head-start from his 25m handicap on big name race rivals Oscar Bonavena (45m)…

By Jonny Turner Doing the hard yards can pay off for Sarah O’Reilly at Ascot Park on Friday. While most of her fellow Canterbury drivers will be competing close to home at Addington, the junior driver will head south to combine with a full book of drives on a shortened six-race card in Invercargill. O’Reilly drives several big hopes from the Michael House stable, including Franco Hoffman in race 5. The pacer is part of a powerful House team which includes Mogul, Santanna Mach and Proviseur. Franco Hoffman worked and…