Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin join us for this week’s edition of the Box Seat.
Author: NZHarnessNews
Shartin has royally-bred filly
Kiwi-bred star Shartin N is a mum. On Sunday, February 13th world champion and Harness Horse of the Year, Shartin N, gave birth to a filly sired by world champion and Pacer of the Year, Captaintreacherous. Ola Yoder, owner of Kountry Lane Standardbreds, LLC of Indiana purchased Shartin N for an undisclosed sum in December 2020. “I’m tickled pink with Shartin N’s filly,” Yoder said. “When I first saw a photo of the foal, I told them he’s a nice-looking colt. Then they told me it’s a filly and that…
House secures double at his second home
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Junior reinsman Wilson House secured a winning double at his home away from home on Thursday, Manawatu Raceway. House has spent plenty of time in Palmerston North campaigning horses for his father Michael House, and the Canterbury barn was once again dominant at Manawatu Raceway this week. Wilson House was in the bike for the stable’s first two victories on Thursday when he guided Boulton Home to win the Manawatu ITM Mobile Pace (2500m) and Alexis Rocket to take out the Woodlands Stud Mobile…
Jones to set the pace again
By Jonny Turner Mark Jones set the early pace at the National Yearling Sales on Tuesday and will be out to make the same impact at Addington on Friday night. Jones set the tone for the sale of southern pacing yearlings when bidding to $150,000 to take home the first lot sold in Christchurch – a Bettor’s Delight filly from Tact Lizzie. Jones looks a big chance of setting the early pace at Addington with Lil Miss Muscles stepping out in race 1. The four-year-old ran a strong race in…
Change of pace for Stonewall after huge week
By Michael Guerin After the fun of sales week it is back to work for trainer Steve Telfer at Alexandra Park tonight. Not that that won’t be fun too as he gets to unleash five of the beautifully-bred fillies he was handed to train last year. Telfer and his sister Amanda are the trainers for South Auckland racing and breeding operation Stonewall Stud, whose already enormous involvement in the harness racing industry went to a completely different level this week. Stonewall boss Steve Stockman was in imperious mood at the…
Donnelly’s success on and off the track
Things are happening in fours for Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly right now. Last Friday she had four winners at a race meeting – for just the second time in her career – and this week she’s bought at least three, and probably, four yearlings at the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales. Already secured are three colts, to Rock N Roll Heaven, Art Major and Bettor’s Delight, with negotiations well advanced for a fourth purchase as well. “The Miss Elsie one is the stand out,” she says. Lot 360 (Art Major –…
Whale Watch – Manawatu – Tonight
Craig “The Whale” Thompson shares his thoughts on tonight’s meeting at Manawatu.
Record results at NZB Yearling sales
The just completed NZB Standardbred Yearling sales was a record-breaker on several fronts. The aggregate for the four days – Karaka on February 13 and Christchurch Feb 14-16 – was the best ever, just shy of $15m. The $14,753,000 was more than $1.4m more than last year’s total. The average of $49,507 was also a record for the sales, up on last year’s $45,198, as was the median of $38,750, up from $30,000. “We are incredibly heartened by what the industry has achieved over the four days of selling,” says…
Trainor upbeat about Krug’s chance in Chariots Of Fire
By Adam Hamilton Driver Jack Trainor thinks the first 200m could be as important as the last 200m of Saturday night’s Chariots Of Fire at Menangle. That’s talking about his own chances of winning with Krug. Trainor and Krug’s caretaker trainer Carter Dalgety have a plan, but whether they get to implement it could depend on the dash to the first turn. “If we find the lead this week, we want to just let him roll and make it a real staying test. Make those horses have to work really…
Thank You revelling in the CD
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Thank You is becoming a prime example of why there is a place for Central Districts harness racing. The gelding was previously winless before joining Rodney Dickson’s Marton barn, and the Love You seven-year-old recorded his fifth victory from his new home base at Manawatu Raceway on Tuesday. It was by chance that Dickson, who also leases the gelding, came about Thank You, and he is glad he did. “A friend of mine had a share in him when the Hopes were training him.…