Author: NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A headline-grabbing sales-topper two years ago, Moet Shard will debut at Addington on Friday night. The royally-bred filly has had a patient build-up to her first race day start with trainer Jeff Whittaker saying she is far from the finished product. “We are happy with where she’s at but she will continue to get stronger and better,” says Whittaker. Sold for $280,000, Moet Shard topped the NZB Standardbred yearling sales in 2020. By Bettor’s Delight, Moet Shard is out of Christian Cullen mare,…

The champ is back Copy That is fully recovered and on target for his New Zealand Cup defence at Addington in November. X-rays have shown the champion is 100 per cent recovered from the splint bone fracture he suffered in Victoria last year. He will start trialling next month. Top southerner dies Former star southerner Roman Gladiator has died aged 21. Trained by Colin Barnes and Robin Swain, the son of Christian Cullen won 19 of 55 starts including the 2003 Sires’ Stakes Final for the Colts and Geldings and…

By Jonny Turner One More Moment heads the team Brett Gray has qualified for Thursday’s Winter Racing Series Finals at Wyndham. Gray lines up eight horses at the Forbury Park meeting with six to start in the $20,000 Winter Racing Series events. After bursting out of maidens and completing a hat-trick of wins, One More Moment looks the horse to beat in the Winter Rewards Handicap Trot. “She is definitely our best chance, she is superior to the rest of ours,” the trainer said. “In her first couple of starts…

by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk After more than 40 years in the business, Mid Canterbury trainer and breeder Michael Heenan’s enjoying quite the purple patch of form. A trainer since the mid 1980s, he had his best ever return with 11 wins in the elongated 2021 season, and he’s already had five this year. In the past few days there’s also been a double triumph for his sire Superfast Stuart – and they both won at big odds. DD’s Super Stuart (Superfast Stuart – Castleton DD) paid $24.30…

Dexter Dunn’s had some big nights at the Meadowlands. And Saturday night must rate right up there. Not only did the 10-time Kiwi driving champion have five wins on the night at the Big M in New Jersey, but Bulldog Hanover’s victory equalled the world record held by Always B Miki and Lather Up. The four-year-old won in 1:46 to finish nearly two lengths clear of Allywag Hanover and Abuckabett Hanover in third. “(Dexter) was sort of speechless,” trainer Noel Daley said after the race, “(Dexter) said it took a…

by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Her form-line doesn’t look flash but the stats don’t tell the full story with Deja Blue – or the health scare she’s had to overcome to get back to the races. The Mach Three mare has drawn one over the 1980m in Race 10, the First Direct Taxis Mobile Pace at Addington on Sunday. “The draw helps,” says trainer Michael Cations, “she has gate speed so she should be handy early.” Decisions will then be made as to whether driver Terry Chmiel hands…

By Jonny Turner Gift Card handed his new owners a quick return when overcoming an early gallop to score at Ascot Park on Friday. The trotter went perilously close to being disqualified after making an early mistake, but he was just inside the 150m he had to regain his gait before going on to win for trainer Jamie Campbell and driver Craig Ferguson. “He just about threw it away again with that 147m he galloped yesterday instead of 150m,” Campbell said. “He has got a motor but Craig said he…