By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s chances of having a serious Inter Dominion pacing contender this winter could be finalised at a quiet Pukekohe trial meeting on Tuesday. That is if any horse can be termed a serious contender going to Queensland to take on local champion Leap To Fame on his home track at Albion Park. The Inter Dominions move to July this year and revert to two rounds of heats on July 5 and 12 into the July 19 pacing final for A$1million. The stake increase will go some…
Author: NZHarnessNews
HRNZ at AEIMA 2025: Working Together to Advance Equine Welfare and Safety
Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) was proud to represent the harness racing community at the 2025 Australasian Equine Industry & Management Association (AEIMA) Animals in Emergencies and Disasters Conference, held at Massey University’s Large Animal Teaching Unit on May 9-10. The conference brought together a wide range of equine professionals — from veterinarians and scientists to welfare advocates and racing officials — to explore current challenges and innovations across the industry. HRNZ’s representative was Education and Animal Care Manager Natalie Gameson. The conference included hands-on, scenario-based training which gave the…
“May” day at Rangiora
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk More than half a century after his first success, veteran Methven-based trainer Terry May was back in the winner’s circle at Rangiora yesterday. The 92-year-old combined with Slyx in the Anne Thompson Pacers Graduation Final, with the Terror To Love three-year-old having his first win at start number three. To make it even better this was a family affair – the horse was driven by son and Hall of Famer Ricky May, and bred by Ricky’s wife Judy. “It was a big thrill…
Harness 5000 races to kick off at Timaru
Nominations close tomorrow (Tuesday) for the Harness 5000 Maiden Series that gets underway at Timaru this Sunday (May 25). The Series is for non-winners whose sire stood for an advertised service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception. Sunday’s series opener will be worth $12,000 for 3YO and older pacers. The first four place-getters are guaranteed a place in the $15,000 Final at Addington on Friday, June 13, if nominated. A second harness 5000 heat will be held at Ashburton at their King’s Birthday weekend on…
Two days left for Industry Excellence Awards nominations
The closing date for nominations for the Entain Industry Excellence Awards has been extended through to 5pm on Wednesday (May 21). Originally nominations were going to close yesterday (Sunday, May 18). Winners of the nine awards categories will receive $10,000 with finalists in each category receiving $2,000. The supreme winner will receive an extra $5,000 on top of their $10,000 category win, and a $5,000 educational package. These awards, for the under 40s, are designed to recognise the future leaders and rising stars of New Zealand’s racing codes. Last year…
Lil Whip romps away to big win in Invercargill
By Jonny Turner Lil Whip’s eight-length annihilation of her opposition at Ascot Park on Sunday has earned her a feature race night tilt at Addington. The mare led and never gave her rivals a look-in, powering to an emphatic win for trainer Tyler Dewe and driver Brad Williamson. The victory completed a winning double for the four-year-old, who scored in a tougher grade in her last start at Winton. Lil Whip’s excellent form will now see her head to Addington, though Dewe is still weighing up which race to target.…
Hopes after more success at Rangiora today
By Mike Love After training a hat-trick at the previous meeting there, Woodend beach trainers Greg and Ben Hope will be looking to continue their good form at today’s Rangiora meeting. They’ll line up a solid team of seven. “I can’t really label one as being a certainty – but they’ve all got good chances,” said co-trainer and driver Ben Hope. In Race 2, the C ME 1ST Painters Pace over 2600m three-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven filly Rena ($8.00FF) will have to step from barrier one to be competitive…
Hurrell heads to Invercargill after “biggest thrill” at Addington
By Jonny Turner Mark Hurrell will head to Ascot Park on Sunday chasing more success after enjoying the biggest thrill of his career. Hurrell started a wave of southern success at Addington on Friday night when he teamed up with Beach Day to win the Listed Uncut Gems Mares Classic. The victory brought up the reinsman’s first black-type win, marking a career highlight. “That’s my first major race win — first in a Group or listed race — so it’s probably the biggest thrill I’ve had,” Hurrell said. Trainer Greg…
Always B You has biggest win of career so far
By Michael Guerin Robert Dunn knows what to do with Always B You long term but the problem is what to do with her right now. The talented mare scored the biggest win of her career after a beautiful Peter Ferguson drive saw her take all the short cuts to grab the $30,000 Powell Transport North Island Breeders Stakes at Alexandra Park on Friday. She wasn’t the best away from her 10m handicap but in a race with some pressure she ducked to the passing lane at the right time…
Southlanders shine on stacked night at Addington
By Michael Guerin One of New Zealand’s proudest harness racing regions turned back the clock to the glory days by dominating Addington on Friday night. Southland-based trainers won three of the six Group races on the stacked programme and two Southland mates in Regan Todd and Craig Ferguson combined with our best young pacer Marketplace to win the night’s Group 1, the $200,000 Garrards Sires’ Stakes Final. Todd may not live in the deep south any more but it only takes about 10 words to come out of his mouth…