Author: NZHarnessNews

With exactly one week to go, the Teal Pants campaign is hovering around the $10,000 mark. There were five more wins during the past week with Monika Ranger (2), Jessica Young-Grant, Ineka Lee, and Natalie Rasmussen all saluting the judge. The six-week campaign kicked off in early February with every win by a female driver (and her teal pants) worth more than $200, thanks to contributions from Harness Racing New Zealand, clubs, and other sponsors. All proceeds will go towards ovarian cancer research. It’s the fifth year the campaign’s been…

The introduction of two Magnifique races for the three-year-olds and a listed race for two-year-old trotters are among the highlights of the just-released New Zealand Sires’ Stakes programme for 2022. The racing calendar has just been confirmed, after delays brought about by last year’s change of dates. “It’s taken some wrangling but we are very proud of what we have come up with,” says Sires’ Stakes Executive Martin Pierson, “there are a few old faves, and some exciting new additions.” The Magnifique (Sires’ Stakes Series 38) is for Sires’ Stakes…

Former Southland pacer Vintage Cheddar has re-found his mojo on the other side of the Tasman. After struggling to re-capture his best form here the seven-year-old has gone three from three for new trainer Andy Gath. The latest win came at Melton over the weekend, with driver Kate Gath impressed at how the former Kiwi has adapted to Australian racing. “There’s no doubt this horse was up with New Zealand’s best when he was going good,” Kate Gath told the trots.com.au. “Andy liked him a couple of years ago when…

by Adam Hamilton  Young Kiwi star Krug’s NSW campaign ended on a downer when he led and disappointed in a free-for-all at Menangle last night. Things looked good early when driver Anthony Butt was able to work around to take the lead then dawdle through a 32.5sec first quarter of the last mile over 2400m. But when Cran Dalgety’s four-year-old should have been making them chase, it was clear he was under pressure and he tired late for fifth. “He felt great coming to the last bend, but when I…

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Distance and a grass surface is what She’s Tough loves, and that’s exactly what she will get at Methven on Sunday. The daughter of He’s Watching returned to form at Oamaru last start when finishing fourth over 3000m, a distance she has posted two of her four victories. She will enjoy another staying test at Mt Harding Racecourse this weekend in the Garrards Horse & Hound Hororata Cup (3000m) and Mowbray expects another bold showing from the five-year-old. “She hadn’t raced for a good-long…

Craig “The Whale” Thompson looks at Methven today.