Harness Racing New Zealand: Independent Director The Board of Harness Racing New Zealand Inc consists of eight members. One each from the Auckland and Christchurch harness racing clubs, four elected by the balance of harness racing clubs and two Independent Directors. HRNZ is currently seeking an Independent Director for a term of three years (until the conclusion of the 2025 HRNZ AGM). This is a challenging and exciting time for HRNZ as the racing industry responds to the changes resulting from the Racing Industry Act 2020 coming into effect, the…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Douglas trio on the up
By Jonny Turner Jeremy Douglas has an eye on next week’s Winter Reward Series with the team he starts at Ascot Park on Friday. Douglas lines up Magic Sign, Macandrew Navigator and Minnie McGoogan who will get plenty of attention from punters while they try to boost their chances of sealing starts in the $20,000 Winter Reward Series Finals at Wyndham Thursday. Magic Sign has impressed in all three of his runs since moving south from Canterbury to join the Ascot Park trainer’s team. The pacer has copped tricky draws…
Majestic Man to make NZ return
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Majestic Man will have his first start in New Zealand since November last year when he contests the Canterbury Insulated Builders FFA Mobile Trot (1980m) at Addington Raceway on Friday. He will once again have regular driver Brad Williamson in the bike and the Otago horseman has been pleased with the gelding’s two lead-in trials. “It will be good to have him back and hopefully he can kick-off with a good first-up run,” Brad Williamson said of the seven-year-old trained by his father Phil.…
Vale John Gordon (Jack) Phillips
After being involved in breeding, racing and harness racing administration at the highest levels for over 60 years, Jack Phillips has died in Timaru, at the age of 93. Born in Kurow in 1929, Jack was born into a farming family, though racing was also very much in their blood. Jack’s father Gordon was a successful horseman and then his sons John (Jack), Rex, Ian and Bruce, all became heavily involved in the sport. Described as an ardent breeder and purchaser of young standardbreds among Phillips’ star performers were open…
Addington Weekly : June 30
Here’s Greg O’Connor and Darrin Williams with the Addington News – June 30
Bad draw but high hopes for AG’s White Socks
By Adam Hamilton Co-trainer Luke McCarthy is thrilled with A G’s White Socks ahead of the popular Kiwi pacer’s debut for the stable on Saturday night. The classy eight-year-old launches the next phase of his career and returns from a five-week break in a strong Wondais Mate Open (1660m) at Albion Park. It’s his first run since finishing fourth in the Auckland Cup on May 27. “He’s been up in Queensland a couple of weeks and has thrived. He’s loving the weather here,” McCarthy said. “We’ve also been swimming him…
Neal trio primed for Alex Park
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Cambridge trainers Andrew and Lyn Neal are heading north to Alexandra Park on Thursday confident of coming home with at least one winning cheque from their trio of runners. Trifolium will be vying to ditch his bridesmaids tag when he lines-up in the Bonded NZ Handicap Trot (2200m). The five-year-old has finished runner-up in his last three starts, pleasing his trainers who are hoping he can score his maiden victory at his 29th attempt on Thursday. “He is always looking to get that win,”…
News Briefs : June 29
Four Kiwi drivers make the cut Four Kiwis have made the cut in a new Australian poll to decide the leading drivers on both sides of the Tasman over the past 18 months. Blair Orange, Tony Herlihy, Natalie Rasmussen and Zachary Butcher made the top 24, with John Dunn, Mark Purdon and David Butcher among those considered unlucky to miss out. The squad, decided by a group of media and other personalities, was revealed on SEN radio’s TrotsLife show. More honours for the Queen Bred by Southland farmer Gordon McKenzie,…
Frank Weaver : “I was very lucky”
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk After what he calls “a great life” in harness racing, veteran trainer Frank Weaver has decided to call it a day. The 81-year-old from Takanini, who will forever be associated with trotting superstars Petite Evander and Pride Of Petite, has decided not to renew his trainer’s licence. “I started when I was 19, and it’s been very good to me I know that.” “Snow” as he’s known – “because my hair was always white and the name stuck” – won’t be lost to…
Ladies In Red to “do an Amazing Dream”
By Adam Hamilton Mighty mare Ladies In Red looks right on target to “do an Amazing Dream” and upstage the boys in Saturday week’s $305,000 Group 1 Rising Sun at Albion Park. Co-trainer Clayton Tonkin is adamant going into the race first-up is ideal for the four-year-old, who boasts 18 wins and four seconds from her 22 starts. Ladies In Red is widely regarded as the best filly (last season) Australia has produced for 20 years. She sparkled winning a Melton trial last night (Monday) after being buzzed off the…