Author: NZHarnessNews

Two top mares heading across the Tasman

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin The great female mane drain to Australia continues as two of our elite pacing mares head there. Breeders Stakes quinellamates Bettor Talk Art and Need You Now are both set to head offshore, one permanently and the other to finish her racing career. Bettor Talk Art looks set to join the Gary Hall stable in West Australia after a deal first offered before her Breeders Stakes win has been all but completed. “She has been vetted and that is all clear so if and when the money…

Tickets on sale for HRNZ awards

NZHarnessNews

Tickets are now available for the NZB Airfreight Harness Racing New Zealand awards night at Addington Raceway on Saturday, March 5. The function will recognise the best performers in our sport – both equine and human – and culminate in the night’s biggest award, Horse of the Year. The awards have been postponed several times because of Covid protocols and there will be restrictions because of the red light system. The awards will held on two separate floors at the raceway, each with their own host and housing a pod…

News Briefs : 23 February

NZHarnessNews

The look for “The Race” The look has been confirmed for New Zealand’s first slot race at Cambridge on April 14. “The Race” will be New Zealand’s richest race, worth a total of $900,000. The branding for the new event is being rolled out this week and will become synonymous with the big race over the next seven weeks or so. Kiwi connection in Dan Patch awards Trained by former Southlander Brett Pelling, Test Of Faith has been voted North America’s Horse of the Year at the annual Dan Patch…

David Butcher each way all day at Hawera

NZHarnessNews

by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  He knows he’s got “a good book of drives” but David Butcher’s been around long enough to not take anything for granted at today’s grass track meeting at Hawera. The winner of 2519 races in New Zealand – making him the fourth highest behind Tony Herlihy (3610), Maurice McKendry (3336) and Ricky May (3016) – Butcher has drives in all seven races and many will be well supported. He also trains three of his best chances. “Sometimes you have a nice book and…

Selections | Hawera – Today

NZHarnessNews

Trottech’s selections for Hawera today (Feb 23).            Race     Trottech   Form Analyst   Race 11.14pm 10 Cruise Control3 Maria Theresa9 Shiffty2 Vivid Knight   Race 21.50pm 3 Caulfield2 Artful Living1 Bellviley9 Swimintheriver Race 32.25pm 5 Alcippe’s Delight1 Jono B2 Whiskey On The Rocks9 Nelson’s Boy  Race 43.00pm 8 Ohoka Achilles7 Outlaw Man6 Greatest Showman5 El Dorado  Race 53.34pm 1 Claudia Schiffer3 Letsgodancing9 Toodaloolou2 Racey Rach  Race 64.05pm 3 Errol D6 Highview Rockn Roll9 Full Of Hope7 Mackali Race 74.41pm 1 Still Trying12 Jimmy Fox10 Big Skewy4 Pacing…

Kirstin Barclay rapt to hit 300 milestone

NZHarnessNews

by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  Just to be in the same conversation as Nicky Chilcott, Natalie Rasmusen and Sam Ottley makes Kirstin Barclay “very proud”. The Southland-based trainer-driver registered driving success number 300 when Still Rockin won at Gore on Sunday.  Chilcott (660 wins), Ottley (586) and Rasmussen (331 in NZ since 2011) are the most successful female drivers in this country and Barclay is delighted to have joined them. “I was pretty rapt,” said Barclay, “I don’t get a lot of outside drives and to get there…

Contrasting draws for Kiwi mares in Sydney

NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton  Star Kiwi mare Stylish Memphis has snared pole position for her Ladyship Mile defence at Menangle on Saturday night. The name of the race has changed – it’s now called the Queen Elizabeth II – but just like last year, Stylish Memphis is the one to beat. What’s interesting is how trainer-driver Jack Trainor plays it early. Yes, Stylish Memphis has some early speed, but probably not enough to hold-out the slickest beginners and she’s always been best when driven more conservatively early. Slick beginners like Wainui…

Team Teal has best return so far

NZHarnessNews

The annual Teal Pants campaign has received a major boost, with a bumper day on the grass at Gore. And it was a real team effort yesterday, with six wins from five female drivers (and their teal pants). It was Team Teal’s best day so far this campaign. Sarah O’Reilly had two wins (Fast Whispering and Timzee), with sisters Sheree Tomlinson (Jafa Express) and Kerryn Tomlinson (Domination’s Call), and Teal Pants ambassadors Sam Ottley (Lou’s Deal) and Kirstin Barclay (Still Rockin) all chipping in. Ottley also had two wins on…