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.…
Author: NZHarnessNews
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…
Williamson to combine with Ascot hotpots
By Jonny Turner Punters will have their eyes on Brad Williamson at Ascot Park on Friday when he combines with a couple of multi-making hot favourites. Myshout (race 1) and Sonny Maguire (race 9) are both set to start at short odds on a twilight programme if their opening quotes with bookmakers are anything to go by. Sonny Maguire will be out to seal back-to-back wins for trainer Alister Black after he jogged to victory on the same track earlier this month. Williamson has no doubts that he can repeat…
Start key to South Coast Arden tonight
By Michael Guerin Brent Mangos isn’t touting the usual early campaign warning that often accompanies pacing stars when South Coast Arden returns to Alexandra Park tonight. Because the Pukekohe horseman says the standing start will be the greatest determinant of the favourite’s chances off a 20m handicap in the $30,000 IRT Summer Cup. South Coast Arden has actually already raced once this campaign but then missed Harness Million night with a skin infection, so second up after a month away from the track tonight feels like a restart for a…
Two Coast meetings move to Canterbury
Two up-coming West Coast meetings are heading over the hill. The Reefton Trotting Club’s meeting set down for Friday March 11 has been transferred to Addington and the Westport Trotting Club’s meeting on Sunday March 3 will now be on the grass at Rangiora. The Sunday meeting will be hosted by both clubs under the Westport banner. Westport president Johnny Reedy says “logistically everything was against us.” The concern was that if the meetings weren’t moved to Canterbury then the fields would be severely impacted by horses and licence-holders opting…
Gutsell enjoys memorable Gore double
By Jonny Turner for the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Association. Winning doubles don’t come much better than the one Southland horseman Ricky Gutsell produced at Gore on Sunday. Gutsell bred, raced and trained full brother and sister Insarchatwist (A Rocknroll Dance-Insar-Dare You To) and Still Rockin (A Rocknroll Dance-Insar-Dare You To) to win just three races apart on the same card. Gutsell enjoyed his success with co-breeders and co-owners Neil and Eualie Thwaites. “It is pretty rewarding,” the Wyndham trainer said. Insarchatwist and Still Rockin are the first two foals…
Purdon confident ahead of Menangle features
By Adam Hamilton The name Purdon has been a massive factor in Sydney’s biggest races for three decades, but now it’s the next generation carrying the family flag. Nathan Purdon, son of Mark and grandson of the late Roy, is surprisingly bullish heading into the two features at Menangle on Saturday night despite wide barrier draws. His brilliant mare Spellbound has gate nine to overcome in the $200,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile (formerly the Ladyship Mile) and stablemate Amore Vita has the same wide draw in the $200,000…
Poutama bags treble at Hawera
With five wins there this month alone, Hawera Raceway is turning into Andre Poutama’s happy place. The Pukekohe-based trainer-driver followed up his two wins there on February 4, with a further three yesterday, including going back to back with the day’s two pacing features, the Taranaki Cup and the Breeders Stakes. “I actually hadn’t had that much luck on the grass so hopefully I’ve turned the corner,” Poutama said, “but it’s been good alright.” A patient drive helped the Wendy Devenport-trained Uncle Drew win the Revital Fertiliser Taranaki Cup. Uncle…
Stylish Memphis “terrific” ahead of Menangle Group One
By Adam Hamilton Star Kiwi mare Stylish Memphis is primed for her title defence. That’s the last word from caretaker trainer-driver Jack Trainor ahead of Saturday night’s $200,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile (formerly the Ladyship Mile) at Menangle. And Trainor is adamant barrier one is a big plus rather than a potential query, “Give me barrier one anytime, especially compared to something out wide at Menangle,” the young former Kiwi horseman said. “I’m sure there will be a couple out wide coming out charging and trying to get…
Heza Sport seeking a return to form
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Heza Sport began his career with a bang and trainers Colin and Julie De Filippi are hoping he can return to form at Addington Raceway on Thursday. The four-year-old gelding won his first four starts and finished runner-up in his next two outings behind Taipo and Group One winner It’s All About Faith. He has subsequently failed to feature in his following four starts but Colin De Filippi, who also owns the son of Sportswriter, believes they have got on top of a few…