By Adam Hamilton Caretaker trainer-driver Jack Trainor couldn’t believe star Kiwi mare Stylish Memphis was overlooked for a Miracle Mile berth. And it was the same story on the other side of the ditch with her regular trainer Mark Jones. Despite stretching her record this Sydney raid to four wins from as many starts and completing back-to-back Ladyship Mile wins (now called Queen Elizabeth II Mile), the field selectors didn’t seem her worthy of a Miracle Mile start. Surprisingly, when her CV was not as polished, she gained a Miracle…
Author: NZHarnessNews
Hot And Treacherous looms as a contender for The Race
By Michael Guerin Champion driver Maurice McKendry says Hot And Treacherous wouldn’t be out of place in the $900,000 The Race as competition for slots starts to heat up. Hot And Treacherous showed manners, speed and courage to win the $30,000 IRT Summer Cup at Alexandra Park on Friday night, continuing his steady improvement curve for trainers Brian and Gareth Hughes. It was his ninth career win from 25 starts and capped a good run of form that has seen him close up behind Self Assured (who has a slot)…
One Change airborne at Ashburton
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk One Change is flying at the moment and he continued that momentum at Ashburton Raceway on Saturday when winning the Ashburton Trotting Club Legends Mile (1600m). The son of Bettor’s Delight was launched off the mobile arm by driver Blair Orange to take an early lead and was kept honest throughout by Classie Brigade. One Change proved too brilliant down the straight, securing a three-quarter of a length victory over Pembrook Playboy, with Corravalley Star a further 2-1/4 lengths back in third. It was…
The Falcon chasing more Cup glory
By Jonny Turner For an impressive last start winner who made a flying beginning, The Falcon faces an unusual challenge in the Waikouaiti Cup. The Geoff and James Dunn trained pacer will attempt to back up his highly impressive Cheviot Cup win in the 3000m Oamaru feature on Sunday. The main challenge for the four-year-old and driver Gerard O’Reilly comes as he steps back on grass for just the second time. Because in his first attempt on turf, The Falcon didn’t make the same kind of smart beginning he did…
Selections | Waikouaiti – Today
Racing journalist Jonny Turner’s selections for Waikouaiti today – Feb 27. Race Jonny Turner Racing Journalist Race 112.22pm 4 Barrytown1 Kohli Trouble18 Notasbadasilook12 Cashem Race 212.47pm 12 Gotta Elect Bill1 Home Grown4 Tiffany’s Legacy13 Maxwell Robyn Race 31.12pm 3 Kali B1 Seventh Heaven4 Sweet And Sour5 Seapris Race 41.37pm 5 Onedin Hurricane3 Little Gee4 Magic Sign2 Delightful Gloria Race 52.02pm 3 Eliz Angel6 Stella’s Delight1 Opawa Louie10 Art Collector Race 62.27pm 7 Lauries Legacy2 Domination’s Call3 Shandon Bells4 Bright Glow Race 72.52pm 3 You…
Ron McKinley puts it all together in Addington boilover
By Brian Cross The Trent Yesberg-trained Ron McKinley has been somewhat out of sorts since winning on debut back in July. That all changed Thursday night at Addington, when he put up another staying performance of note to take out the First Direct Taxis Mobile Pace at 43 to one on the tote. On a night dominated by front runners Ron McKinley, in the hands of Tim Williams, came from midfield in the running line to produce a sustained run wide and get up by a head from another outsider…
Joe rock solid in Oaks heat
By Jonny Turner Had she not shifted camps, Joe’s Rock would have been part of a Canterbury whitewash at Ascot Park yesterday. The Brett Gray trained filly impressed when running to smart win over the quality line up that contested a heat of the Southland Oaks. Joe’s Rock couldn’t have done much more than her two wins and a second placing in three starts since her purchase out of David Moore’s Canterbury stable by Southland owners Robert and Sharyn Symon. And according to her new trainer, there is even more…
Monika Ranger gets “awesome” breakthrough win
By Michael Guerin Monika Ranger’s first winning drive could hardly have been more perfect. Because it came on a horse trained by a good mate, on her favourite track and beating her old boss and mentor. That was the trifecta of perfection that unfolded when Call Me Trouble overcame a 35m handicap to wear down favourite Aardiebythehill in the main trot at Alexandra Park on Friday. It was win number 1 at drive number 7 for Ranger with Call Me Trouble trained by Zachary Butcher, who is not only Ranger’s…
Negus has faith in his rising star
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Bruce Negus has big plans for Corravalley Star and they will all begin at Ashburton Raceway on Saturday. The four-year-old entire will face his stiffest task to date when he takes on a star-studded line-up in the Ashburton Trotting Club Legends Mile (1609m), but Negus believes he is up to the task. On paper, the son of Washington VC looks to be outclassed, being 30 rating points inferior to his closest rival, while Spankem’s rating of 119 is nearly twice that of Corravalley Star.…
Red Harbour lands tenth win
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Red Harbour picked up his 10th win at Addington Raceway on Thursday night in the Tyre General Trot (2600m) and trainer Kevin James doesn’t believe it will be his last. The seven-year-old gelding stepped away cleanly from his unruly mark and driver Craig Thornley kept Red Harbour out wide on the track, giving his charge plenty of time to get comfortable in his gait. Once he was happy, Thornley pushed the go button on Red Harbour who quickly surged past his rivals to wrestle…