By Michael Guerin Multiple Group one winners returning to racing in the depths of winter are a harness racing rarity but then again, so are superstar horses who haven’t raced for nearly three years. Enghien finds himself representing both those elite groups when he makes his comeback off a 30m handicap in race 5 at Addington tonight and his enormous break from racing is why driver Ben Hope warns punters to be careful. The eight-year-old hasn’t started since October 2019, his outstanding career curtailed by a hind suspensory issue. Before…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Behrns returns from decade-long hiatus
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Robbie Behrns has returned to training after more than a decade away from the game, admitting he couldn’t get the racing bug out of his system. “It is in your blood, once it gets in there it doesn’t leave,” Behrns said. He has just the one horse in his barn, Adaline, but the Pukekohe horseman said the three-year-old filly is more than enough to keep him busy. The daughter of American Ideal finished fifth when on debut at Cambridge Raceway earlier this month and…
Dunn on top of world
By Michael Guerin Champion Kiwi harness driver Dexter Dunn may be on top of the world but he says there is one race victory back home he still craves. But Dunn, who set a world record for a harness racing mile on Saturday night, says the lure of the New Zealand Cup isn’t enough to bring him home yet. Dunn drove Bulldog Hanover to pace the fastest mile in harness racing history with his 1:45.8 time winning the US$500,000 Haughton Memorial at The Meadowlands in New Jersey on the weekend,…
Dunn’s world record at the Big M
by Dave Di Somma, Harness News desk Dexter Dunn has been part of harness racing history in New Jersey. The 10-time New Zealand driving champion has steered superstar pacer Bulldog Hanover to a new world record at the Meadowlands, recording the fastest mile in the history of the sport. “Bulldog” won the William Haughton Memorial over the weekend by two lengths in 1:45.8. He ran home in 52.6 (last 800) and the last 400 in 25.2. “He’s just an amazing animal,” says Dunn, “It’s just a pleasure to sit behind…
King Arthur strikes again at Addington
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk King Arthur made it back-to-back wins at Addington Raceway on Sunday when taking out the First Direct Taxis Mobile Pace (2600m). The Auckland Reactor gelding was victorious over 1980m at the Christchurch track last week and Gray was confident of another bold showing. “I thought he would have been a $2 favourite in that field,” Gray said. From his outside draw on the frontline, King Arthur was launched off the gate by driver Ross Cameron to take an early lead before handing up to…
Town Echo resounding winner in Queensland
by Adam Hamilton The Kiwi flavour shone brightly at Albion Park’s feature Sunshine Sprint meeting last night. Despite the defeat of glamour filly Amore Vita, there was a strong Kiwi influence in two of the major races. Jack Trainor’s Group 1 upset with Town Echo led the way. The four-year-old stormed down the outside as an $81 outsider to win the $100,000 Golden Girl (2138m). It was only Trainor’s second Group 1 training success, following the Ladyship Mile win at Menangle with Stylish Memphis earlier this year. “I’ve driven six…
Yesberg keen to keep momentum going
By Jonny Turner There has been plenty happening during winter for Trent Yesberg and it continues when he starts three horses at Addington on Sunday. Well ahead of anything on the racing front, the Ohoka horseman and wife Sarah have announced they are expecting their first child. As far as the racing goes, Yesberg been lining up his share of horses recently with his harness team in good form during the winter months. On top of that, Yesberg has also recently lined up his first starters in the galloping code.…
Sam simply too good in Winter Cup
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Simply Sam was simply too good for his rivals in the Prudentia Law 2022 Winter Cup Handicap Pace (2700m) at Alexandra Park on Friday night. The son of American Ideal settled off the pace for driver Tony Herlihy who bided his time towards the rear of the field before hopping on the back of Jack Tar when heading into the back straight for the final time. The speed was on and Herlihy kept his cool four-wide with cover before steering his charge six-wide turning…
Southerners claim both features at Addington
By Jonny Turner Southlanders cleaned up at Addington on Thursday night taking out both the feature pace and trot with impressive performances. Both wins were produced with scintillating finishes from off the pace, with Tweedledee trotting to victory in race 4 and Hazer flying late for his pacing win in race 7. Tweedledee bounced back to his best form when scorching home from last to win for trainer Lyndon Bond and driver Carter Dalgety. The trainer and driver had hoped to combine earlier this season but it didn’t work out.…
Winter Cup triple threat for Wallis-Hackett
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Trainers Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett hold a strong hand in the IRT – Your Horse Our Passion 2022 Winter Cup (2700m) at Alexandra Park on Friday night, with half of the field set to carry their silks. The South Auckland couple will be represented by Special Way (15m), Kings Landing (35m) and Invictus (45m), and they believe the trio has a strong chance of bringing home the spoils. “Special Way has a bit of a handicap advantage over the other two, so I…