Author: NZHarnessNews

Mossdale Ben’s winning run in the USA, a poll on the greatest Sires’ Stakes champions and new phone and email details for the Racing Bureau all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Kiwi-bred leading USA stakes winners Mossdale Ben is turning into quite the buy for his American owners. The Kiwi-bred has had eight wins and two seconds from 10 starts and is the leading stakes earner in the USA this year. His earnings currently stand at $US404K ($NZ680K). Bred by Archie Affleck in Southland, the son of Rocknroll Dance…

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  The draws haven’t done him any favours but Marketplace will start a commanding favourite in Friday night’s $200,000 Group 1 New Zealand Sires’ Stakes 3YO Colts and Geldings Final (9.34pm). The Final is the feature on a big night of Group and Listed races at Addington that includes the Group 2 Ricoh Bionic Chance 2YO Fillies Bracelet, the Group 3 Sport Nation – NZ 2YO Trotting Stakes, the NZB Standardbred Uncut Gems Aged Trotters Classic, the Rico Lodge Uncut Gems Mares’ Classic and…

Vinny is showing he is just not your one-trick pony. In his life after racing the now Art Major nine-year-old started out as a dressage horse, then moved into eventing and most recently he’s been displaying his skills (and stamina) in  CTR (Competitive Trailing Riding). Vinny started life as Dream Major, a half brother to such stars as Amazing Dream and Chase The Dream. He won his debut in 2018 by three lengths and had one more start before retired with a knee injury. Kat Gardiner acquired Vinny as a…

Every month HRNZ awards a breeder and owner of the month. The draw is done randomly with the only proviso being your horse must have won a race during the month. Current Breeders of the Year Todd and Fleur Anderson are now April’s Breeder of the Month as well, following Dance Till Dawn’s win at Rangiora on April 27. It was the six-year-old mare’s 12th win at start number 75. “She has done a great job for her owners which is hugely satisfying as a breeder,” says Todd Anderson. A…

Since being launched last year the TAB Racing Club is going from strength to strength and its first standardbred may not be too far away from a race day debut. Already the Club has passed the 15,000 mark in terms of membership. “We have been big on promoting the club and what it stands for and driving membership at all sort of events,” says TAB Racing Club Manager Wade Smith. “It’s a case of more the merrier – especially those in the 18-35 age group, that’s where we are really…

By Mike Love  Prebbleton trainer John McDermott just had his most successful week as a trainer with three winners saluting the judge.  “It’s a very big thrill,” said McDermott.  The hat trick of wins for the week was completed yesterday with Topaz at Ashburton in Race 8, the We’ve Got The Trots Syndicate mobile pace.  “She was quite disappointing on Friday at Addington. I wasn’t really sure how she would back up.” Topaz, with driver Wilson House, began well from their ace barrier draw holding on to secure the trail…