Author: NZHarnessNews

Former Kiwi pacer Alta Orlando is the gift that keeps giving. The now 10-year-old made it two-from-two this season, both helped by gloriously superb drives from young gun Jack Callaghan. Alta Orlando’s won 23 races, been placed another 42 times and banked $968,280. Gee he deserves to top the $1 million. He ran third in last December’s Inter Dominion final and has also been placed in a Miracle Mile and Hunter Cup. And he’ll always have a special place in Callaghan’s heart. “I just love him. He’s given me some…

What a way to finish a stellar career. Last night King Of Swing created history with his third consecutive Miracle Mile win at Menangle in what will be his last race. The seven-year-old multi million dollar earner will now be retired to stud. “This is just a massive thrill,” says driver Luke McCarthy, “he is one of the best horses I’ve ever driven.” In the $1m Group One King Of Swing was crossed early by Mach Dan before re-taking the lead. He then held on to repel the challenge from stablemate…

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Dual-gaited entire Outamyway will be out to keep his undefeated record as a pacer intact when he contests the FT Dooley Chartered Accountant Kawatiri Cup (2600m) at Rangiora on Sunday. The son of Love You has won both of his starts as a pacer, both at Westport last year, and Nairn is hoping to keep that trend going at the Westport meeting on Sunday, despite its venue change. “It is a bit unfortunate not to be racing over there, but they made that decision,…

The Northern Southland Trotting Club has provided a comprehensive betting guide for today’s meeting at Ascot Park Race 1 : Punters face an even and competitive race to kick off today’s meeting. Peregrine has shown a real touch of class this season and though she comes in fresh she should be very hard to beat. Resolve commands big respect both on her form and the fact she’s from the powerful Paul Nairn barn. Kiwitrix measures up very well on talent and also has strong winning claims. With the form he…

By Jonny Turner Driver Robbie Close has the firepower to make a big impact in the feature races at Saturday’s Northern Southland meeting. Close heads south to combine with the Regan Todd trained Treacherous Gall in the Group 3 Fillies Classic and her stablemate Street Hawk in Heat 3 of the Southern Supremacy Stakes Series. Treacherous Gall impressed in her debut win at Winton last week. As the filly was joined on the home turn it may not have been obvious to punters just how easily Close thought she won.…

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Ben Hope has only been training since the start of the year but he is quickly racking up the wins. He chalked his third training victory at just his fifth start at Addington Raceway on Friday when Refine took out the XCM Sport Team Teal Drivers Challenge Mare Mobile Pace (1980m). Off a hot speed driver Natalie Rasmussen sent her charge forward at the bell to take control of the race. They continued to keep an honest pace upfront and pinched a lead on…

by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk The Race is now half full. Northern star Hot and Treacherous has become the fifth horse to be confirmed for New Zealand’s first ever slot race, the $900,000 The Race at Cambridge on April 14. Trained by the father and son partnership of Brian and Gareth Hughes, Hot And Treacherous will race for slot-holder the Honey Bros. John Green is a director of the company and has a long association with the Hughes, having trained with Brian for a decade till 2013. The four-year-old…

by Jonny Turner Trainer Bob Butt and junior Carter Dalgety have formed a potent combination recently and they look set for more success this weekend. Dalgety will be in the cart behind Phoebe Imperial at Addington on Friday night before heading to Ascot Park to drive Come Together and Himself on Saturday. Phoebe Imperial has had just two starts for the Butt stable, for a second and a last start win at Addington. The trotter steps up in grade but given the form he is in he should be highly…

By Adam Hamilton The rain has stopped, the track repairs are well under way and the $1 million Miracle Mile will finally be run at Menangle on Saturday night. Importantly, the majority of trainers think the one-week postponement is more of a positive than a negative. Luke McCarthy is adamant hot favourite King Of Swing and stablemates Spirit Of St Louis and Expensive Ego will only be better for the extra week. “They all had hard runs in the qualifying sprints and although I’m sure they would’ve backed-up again well…