Author: NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin One of the big guns of New Zealand pacing could be left sweating on a scratching to boost his chances in the last Group 1 of the year on Tuesday night. Don’t Stop Dreaming can cap a rollercoaster year in the $250,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup at Alexandra Park, returned to its former New Year’s Eve date. As has been the case all season Don’t Stop Dreaming and arch rival Merlin will dominate betting on the Cup, with Republican Party and Better Eclipse their greatest dangers, the…

A draft schedule for the two-year-old season for the first half of 2025 has been released. It is for January to July and at this stage is indicative only –  the dates, stakes and race conditions are yet to be approved, and may be subject to change. To see the schedule click here  

By Adam Hamilton  Mighty stayer Swayzee made quite a statement at his first run since last month’s successful New Zealand Trotting Cup defence at Addington  when he toyed with his rivals at Bathurst last night (Thursday). The gelding, who turns seven in a few days, obliterated the 2790m Bathurst track record on his way to a 17.4m win in a 1min54.9sec mile rate, taking a full second off Alta Orlando’s 2019 record. It was Swayzee’s first run since he defied a frantic racing and travel schedule to win his second…

By Jonny Turner  A rather drastic change of scenery could be just what Pinseeker needs in today’s Mataura Licensing Trust Gore Cup.  The talented Canterbury pacer ($2.80FF) has stayed in the south following his fifth in the Group 1 Invercargill Cup and he now has Gore’s very popular Christmas meeting on Friday in his sights. After competing at the highest level against some of New Zealand’s best pacers in his last two starts, the move to a workable handicap in a Country Cups race looks perfect for the pacer trained…

Selections for Westport today      Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Westport    Trottech Form Analyst     Race 112.00pm 4 Waterloo Station2 Macho Man6 Call Dudley5 Lover Boy     Race 212.25pm 9 Mary Rulz3 Red Wine Kisses11 Rule Again7 Yogi’s Colada    Race 312.50pm 6 Ideal Conqueror3 Rakero Chase7 Interrorgator11 Rutherford      Race 41.15pm 1 Brandi Snapp8 Franco Elvis13 She’s A Major Act9 Fear Gogh  Race 51.40pm 3 Amalfi10 Fredastaire11 Sideshow Bruce5 Black Billie Gee   Race 62.12pm 10 Denuto3 Rapid Response8 Style Council6 Michael Eyre  Race 72.38pm 4 Premium…

By Mike Love  Canterbury raiders look set to dominate the West Coast circuit, starting at Westport on Boxing Day, though there are are some locals that will be pinning their hopes on their runners to upset the party. One horse that has trialled well and will be one to follow through the circuit and on into the New Year is debutant Adelphi Storm.  The Tony O’Dea trained Sky Major three-year-old gelding draws well in Race 3, the Buy And Sell With Marchelle Pace over 2000m. “First time on grass, first…

By Brigette Solomon  Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly’s golden run continued when she combined with driver Samantha Ottley to score a winning double which included Little Spike’s outstanding win in yesterday’s Cambridge Pacers Christmas Cup. “Little Spike was just sensational today,” said Donnelly “It was so great for Sam (Ottley) to come up and get to drive him when he’s really firing because she just didn’t get the rub of the green with him when she drove him down south, nothing really quite went his way.” “Both Sam and I were…

HRNZ wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and all the very best for the festive season.