Author: NZHarnessNews

From “pretty average” to record-setter – Blair Orange’s 3000 wins

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  Blair Orange has today become the youngest ever harness racing driver to bring up 3000 winners in New Zealand. The Canterbury-based 47-year-old brought up the milestone winning with Always A Menace in Heat 11 of the World Driving Championship in front of friends and family at his home track, Addington.  “It hasn’t sunk in but it’s a pretty cool thing,” he said post race.   He is just the fourth driver to get to 3000, following on from Tony Herlihy, Maurice McKendry and…

Final fields for THE ASCENT and THE VELOCITY

NZHarnessNews

The fields are now complete for the two $500,000 slot races at Addington Raceway on Show Day (November 14). Always Dreaming, a seven-race winner for Nathan Williamson, will fill the slot taken by Arna Donnelly Racing in the Hill, Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY. He is the 10th and final horse to be confirmed. The two emergencies for the races will be : Berrettini (THE VELOCITY) and Illicit Love (THE ASCENT).            

Friday night lights at Addington and Alexandra Park

NZHarnessNews

Friday Night Lights sees racing at Addington and Auckland tonight as the sport gears up for its biggest week of the year. Ya Rite Darl will start the night’s shortest priced favourite at Addington which will feature five more heats of the World Driving Championship while Arna Donnelly’s team could well be to the fore at Alexandra Park.  Ya Rite Darl tuning up for THE ASCENT at Addington By Michael Guerin  A late change of plans will see exciting trotting filly Ya Rite Darl head to Addington tonight rather than…

Blair’s big night at Addington tonight

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  Blair Orange is very much the driver to watch as the World Driving Championship heads to Addington for the first time tonight. The New Zealand rep is currently in fourth place in the WDC at the halfway stage after having a win and two placings at Cambridge on Wednesday night. He is on 68 points, with Canada’s James MacDonald leading the way on 98. He is also on 2999 career wins, needing just one more to become the fourth member of the 3000…

Hopes take three to Oamaru today

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner  Ben Hope has a mountain to climb on Tuesday, but there is business to handle first at Oamaru on Thursday. After going desperately close in the past, Hope will again combine with Muscle Mountain in the Group 1 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington.  Hope and father Greg will balance putting the finishing touches on their three-pronged attack on the renowned trotting event with having starters at Oamaru, as well as Addington on Friday. The Hope stable’s squad of four heading south of the Waitaki includes Franco…

Draws out for IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and Renwick Farms Dominion Trot

NZHarnessNews

The draws are out for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot, to be held at Addington Raceway next Tuesday. And there’s plenty of good news for the favourites. Australian superstar Leap To Fame has drawn 6 in the Cup, with hometown hero Republican Party one inside him at 5 and Merlin at 3 while Victoria Cup winner Kingman has drawn 12 with Akuta at 10. In the Dominion hotshot Australian Jilliby Ballerini has drawn 2, with Muscle Mountain well placed at 7 , Oscar…

More confirmed for $500,000 Show Day slot races

NZHarnessNews

The fields are all but complete for the two $500,000 slot races at Addington Raceway on Show Day. All 10 runners have been confirmed for the Majestic Horse Floats THE ASCENT while there is one space left in the Hill, Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY. THE ASCENT features top Australian filly Tracy The Jet, trained by Jess Tubbs. She has won eight from 13 including her last six in a row. Tracy The Jet is the favourite with the TAB though there are five runners in single figures – Tracy…

Final rankings released for IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and Renwick Farms Dominion Trot

NZHarnessNews

The two big winners at Kaikoura yesterday have been the two biggest movers in the latest and final rankings for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot.Both features will highlight a stellar Cup day at Addington Raceway next Tuesday. Father Time was an upset winner of the South Bay Trotters Cup yesterday and as a result has gone from 21st to 12th in the rankings for the Dominion. That guarantees him a start in the $400,000 Group 1. Merlin was always going to be in…