By Jonny Turner Craig Ferguson continued his spectacular run of form when winning both the Forbury Park pacing and trotting cups at Wingatui on Sunday. Ferguson produced Nutcracker for a most professional victory in the Kia Ora Campers Pacing Cup before Moment Of What continued his outstanding progression with his trotting cup victory in the Icon Interior Construction Trotting Cup. Just two days prior, the reinsman clinched the biggest win of his driving career when taking out the Group 1 New Zealand Derby at Addington with We Walk By Faith. …
Author: NZHarnessNews
Big Friday night for Butt and O’Meara
By Brigette Solomon A training double and a driving treble made for a very successful night for Bob Butt at Alexandra Park on Friday. The Woodend trainer-driver’s trek north saw him win with two of his own horses, Princess Meritaten and Gold Bullion, with Princess Meritaten being a standout winner for the night with her success in the Group 3 Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes. From barrier nine, Butt settled Princess Meritaten back in the field one off the fence and four back, while race favourite Lady Of The Light…
Draws not favouring Queen Elida and Minstrel in ID finals
By Adam Hamilton A shock third round heat defeat and tricky barrier draw has seen Kiwi-owned mare Queen Elida’s odds drift sharply for the Inter Dominion trotting final. The Brent Lilley-trained mare, who has run third in the past two finals, was $3 for the final before last night, but is out to $6.50. She will start from barrier five and despite having loads of early speed, her two main dangers – The Locomotive (gate four, $1.55) and Keayang Chucky (three, $5) – hve drawn inside her for the 2300m…
Ferguson looks to extend winning run at Wingatui today
By Jonny Turner Craig Ferguson may have to clear a little space in his trophy cabinet before Sunday’s Wingatui trots. The reinsman has been driving in the best form of his career recently and has collected three Group 1 trophies recently including the Garrards New Zealand Derby on Friday night with We Walk By Faith. While the conditions on the Wingatui grass may be a world away from the electric atmosphere of elite races at Addington, Ferguson’s winning hopes still look good. The reinsman combines with two big winning threats…
Selections | Wingatui
Selections for Wingatui today Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Jonny TurnerRacing Journalist Race 112.58pm 6 Tarragindi1 Almighty4 Niamh8 Birch Race 21.24pm 1 Donald Trot7 Miki’s Beauty4 Cold Pursuit10 Janaka’s Delight Race 32.00pm 5 It’s A Pleasure4 Jay R Tolkien8 Prosperity1 Crackasky Race 42.38pm 6 Airwaves3 Haley Robyn7 Paradise Valley1 Avenger Race 53.05pm 6 Blithe12 Our Superfund4 Top Pocket Chance14 Markthewarrior Race 63.39pm 9 Forever Arden6 Havarti Arden2 Lily’s A Star1 Asta Race 74.15pm 3 Nutcracker12 South Seas Rock8 Still Rockin4 Hacksaw Ridge Race…
Keayang Zahara wins “Grand Final” in style
By Adam Hamilton Jason Lee thought he had the Garrards NZ Trotting Derby won when he saw the look on his mother’s face the day before the race. “When Mum (Marg Lee) first saw her (Keayang Zahara) when she got back across, she said she looked like a different filly,” Lee said. “Antti (Ruokonen, travelling foreman) said the thing and then when you throw-in hearing back from the team at stables that Mark (Purdon) thought she worked really well in her last hit out and it can’t help but give…
Key changes to today’s Geraldine Cup
By Mike Love Scratchings have massively changed the complexion of today’s Placemakers Timaru/Twizel/Oamaru Geraldine Cup on the grass at Orari. First it was the in-form Wild Willow who was taken out, followed by $2.10 favourite Mo’unga this morning. It’s believed he has an abscess issue. That leaves the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety-trained Hey Bartender the top pick, with latest markets having him at $2.60. Ashburton trainers Brent and Tim White line up two runners in the event, Got You Covered and American Me. The latter was a contender in the…
Rakero Rocket upsets in epic Group 1 win
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Rakero Rocket has produced a huge upset at Addington with victory in tonight’s first ever Group 1 The Christian Cullen at Addington Raceway. It was an emotional win for trainer Tom Bamford who was in shock post race. “I’m shaking, I don’t know what is going on.” Rakero Rocket charged out from the mobile to head hot favourite Don’t Stop Dreaming. Meanwhile arch rival Merlin was taken to the rear of the field from his wide draw. Don’t Stop Dreaming and driver Blair…
Keayang Zahara dominates the Derby at Addington
As everyone expected, the trotting superstar that is Keayang Zahara has waltzed away with the Garrards New Zealand Trotting Derby at Addington tonight. The Victorian three-year-old, backed into $1.05, dispatched the field with ease, winning by nine lengths and extending her unbeaten run to 14 from 14. “Absolute freak” was the term used by commentator Matt Cross while Trackside presenter Greg O’Connor said she was “crazy good”. No-one would argue with either description. Driver Jason Lee was patient off the gate and settled two and then three back the running line…
Christian Cullen among the stars on big Friday night
It’s Friday night and there is no shortage of racing action on at Addington and Auckland. Alexandra Park will host its first 12-race card on a Friday night since April 2017 while Addington’s Derby race night will feature three Group 1s – the Garrards Pacing and Trotting Derbies and the brand new The Christian Cullen. Just weeks after his 30th birthday, the champion pacer himself will make a guest appearance. The million dollar earner will lead out the field for the race named after him, the $200,000 The Christian Cullen…