by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Top racemare Spellbound has run her last race, and will now head home from her Australian base and then to the broodmare paddock. It’s planned to have the Art Major five-year-old served this breeding season. Raced by Westview Racing No 19 Syndicate and the Witches of Westview No 2 syndicate, she had 14 wins from 46 starts, with stakes of just under $400,000. “Between the two syndicates there have been about 300 people involved in racing her,” says syndicate principal Nigel Armstrong, “she…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Blair Orange going big in 2022
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk For someone who says he doesn’t actively set targets every season, milestones have a way of finding Blair Orange. The country’s top driver has breezed past 100 winners and $1m in stakes for 2022 and is all but guaranteed of taking out his fifth straight drivers’ premiership. “I’m pretty happy with how’s it going,” says Orange, “I never take it for granted but it has been a good few months.” Currently he’s on 103 wins for the year, 53 clear of closest rival…
DD’s Super Stuart bowls them over at Addington
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Jeremy Markham is hoping the week continues as it started after celebrating the victory of DD’s Super Stuart took in the Spectators Bar Trot (2000m) at Addington Raceway on Sunday. Markham is currently in Wellington attempting to defend his Indoor Bowls National Fours title but was able to find time to watch the gelding he trains score his fourth victory, and first for the stable. Previously trained by Markham’s father Carl, the latter was back in the bike on Sunday to steer in his…
Queen Elida produces head-turning win at Melton
By Adam Hamilton Former Kiwi trainer Brent Lilley has a budding star on his hands. Queen Elida looked outstanding at three last season, but has effortlessly taken the step into open-age racing with brilliant wins at her past two starts. Last night’s Melton win had to be seen to be believed. Driver Chris Alford knew what he was doing sitting back near last and saving the daughter of Love You for one big run. Queen Elida came from 20m off the pace at the 650m to roar to the front…
Chmiel to start each way threats
By Jonny Turner A winning turn awaits Scared Stiff when he heads a team of five runners Terry Chmiel takes to Addington on Sunday. The pacer will attempt to go one better than his last two second placings when he accompanies Lizzie Richter, Reflectionsofmylife, Flyin Sid and Rapid Response to the races. Race 5’s 2000m standing start conditions look ideal for the Scared Stiff who steps back in trip after tackling longer distances. “He is an honest bugger and he is going good races,” Chmiel said. “He probably just needs…
Hanara goes one from one for new bosses
by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Taitlyn Hanara has been quick to make an impression with her new employers. The talented Pukekohe-based junior driver only started working for the Michelle Wallis – Bernie Hackett barn at Easter and last night she made her first drive for the stable a winning one when she took out the night’s feature trot with Kings Landing, paying $18.20 and $5.00. “When you watch the horses at home and then they perform like that at the races it’s pretty cool and I’m just thankful…
Superfast Ninja back in winning form
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Superfast Ninja appreciated a step back in grade at Alexandra Park on Friday when taking out the Blackmore Virtue & Owens Handicap Trot (2700m). The daughter of Superfast Ninja began well from the 10m mark and driver Zachary Butcher was able to guide her into the trail behind Safrakova where she was able to appreciate a perfect trip throughout. She scooted up the passing lane to beat Aldebaran Flame by 1-1/4 lengths, with a further 1-1/4 lengths back to Alana in third. While she…
Addington leads the way in weekly turnovers
Addington’s Queen’s Birthday weekend meeting had the highest turnover of any domestic harness racing meeting in New Zealand last week. Latest TAB figures show that turnover totalled $929,041 for the meeting on Thursday, June 2. There were just four meetings in the week (June 2-6). Ashburton on Sunday was next at $882,756, followed by Invercargill (Monday) $830,690 and Cambridge (Friday) $697,834. The total turnover for the weekend was $3,340,321, down around $1.5m on last year. The key reason for the decline was that the 2021 the Harness Jewels were held…
A G’s White Socks off to Queensland
By Adam Hamilton Much-loved Kiwi pacer A G’s White Socks is about to start the next phase of his racing career. The eight-year-old was sent to Team McCarthy’s Menangle stables following his excellent fourth in the Auckland Cup on May 27. Co-trainer Luke McCarthy said A G’s White Socks had settled in well and would join the big team of horses he and wife, Belinda, have campaigning in Queensland from next week. “He worked well this morning (Thursday), he’ll have another piece of work here Saturday and I’ll take him…
Backburn continues Cox’s great year
By Jonny Turner Backburn was green, but still too good for his rivals in the opening event at Addington on Thursday night. The four-year-old ran about a little in the home straight but it didn’t stop him from pulling out plenty to score a deserved win for trainer-driver Katie Cox. “He has been consistent, he is a pretty genuine horse,” Cox said. “He is still green, but he tries hard and he can make his own luck from the draws a wee bit.” Raced by Ross, Sandra and Prue Gilmour,…