Author: NZHarnessNews

By Courtney Buchanan Relief and emotion came hand in hand as Fergus Schumacher brought up his 50th career driving win at Alexandra Park on Friday night. Guiding Dear God to victory in the Junior Driver race for trainer Wayne Anstis, Schumacher broke a dry spell in the best possible fashion, notching up a milestone. He admitted it had been a while since he last tasted success, with his last win over a year ago aboard Matty A but described recent times as a quiet patch. “I’m not in a racing…

Harness Racing New Zealand has released a new regulation that will shape how meetings are conducted and races are programmed, handicapped, and rated. The new Conduct of Meetings, Programming, Handicapping and Rating Regulation comes into effect on Monday 30 June 2025, and replaces the existing Handicapping Regulation, Programming Condition  – General Regulation, and Ratings Handicapping System Guiding Principles. HRNZ acknowledges the short notice of this release. However, it follows a lengthy consultation process across the industry. The organisation has aimed to give due consideration to all feedback and incorporate it…

by Jonny Turner Teamwork helped turn frustration into winning delight when The Greek Freak broke through at Winton on Thursday. The trotter produced a gritty effort to break maidens, handing husband-and-wife trainers Richard and Fiona Stevens their first trotting win. The teamwork that went into The Greek Freak’s win goes beyond what the Stevens have poured into the horse themselves. Earlier this year, the five-year-old was struggling to trot around the first bend in his races, let alone prove competitive at the finish. But after getting his manners and gait…

Ashburton trainer Gerard O’Reilly will be looking to turn the tables on Akatea ($2.60FF) in the inaugural running of the Silk Road Series Final tonight at Addington Raceway with his mare Esmeralda. The four-year-old Always B Miki mare has compiled a sound record to date — winning four from nine and placing a further four times. Her most recent victory at Addington over 2600m showcased her tenacity and strength after being pressured a few times during the running. “She’s handling all the racing really well,” said O’Reilly. But they have yet…

Harness Racing New Zealand has today released the official list of stallion service fees to assist breeders, owners, and trainers in determining eligibility for the Harness 5000 Series. Eligibility for the series is based on stallions that stood for a published service fee of $5,000 or less in the year of conception. The published list provides clarity around which progeny qualify under this criteria. Click here to see the stallion service fees list. In addition, HRNZ has released a list of horses exported since 1 August 2023. These horses may…

The crossover between New Zealand’s two equine codes will go to a whole new level with a rare dual-code weanling sale at Karaka today. Participants in either thoroughbred or harness racing investing in what used to be seen as the rival code is nothing new, with plenty of owners having shares in both gallopers and harness horses. The crossover goes right to the top of the two codes too, with one of our most decorated thoroughbred trainers Graeme Rogerson having a long-term, successful standardbred training operation which he has dragged…

Stacey White can’t wait to get to Brisbane. The “trip of redemption” as she calls it is about to hit top gear. Not only is star trotter Bet N Win right on target for the Inter Dominion trotting series, but stable newcomer Betterthancash has emerged as a genuine contender for the $350,000 Group 1 Rising Sun. Both will be in action Saturday week and White, along with young sons Lachlan and William, will land in Brisbane the day before that to join husband and co-trainer, David. “After so many years…

If Kirstin Green could carry Midnight Babe to victory, she would. The trainer-driver will be doing everything she can to honour the memory of Murray Brown as she combines with a daughter of the trainer’s best pacer. Brown passed away in Invercargill on Tuesday, leaving an indelible mark on southern harness racing. Midnight Babe is from Brown’s Group One-winning star Beaudiene Bad Babe, the best of the many horses he produced to win more than 500 races. When Midnight Babe lines up at Winton on Thursday, Green will wear the…

CALLMETHEBREEZE RETURNS ON SATURDAY Talented open class trotter Callmethebreeze makes his long awaited race track return on Saturday night at Melton for Andy and Kate Gath. Callmethebreeze, who has raced only 4 times since his brilliant 2nd to now retired champion Just Believe at Cambridge in the TAB Trot, is on an Inter Dominion path which begins the following Saturday night at Albion Park in Brisbane. He lines up in Race 8 at 11.06pm New Zealand time. Also resuming is stablemate and enigmatic pacer Catch A Wave, who was last…

By Jordyn Bublitz There was no catching St John Eight last night at Cambridge Raceway, with the Andre Poutama-trained runner taking out the TFS Horse Transport Mobile Pace—claiming his third win in seven starts and doing it in commanding fashion. From barrier five, the gelded son of Always B Miki burned early to take the lead, and Poutama said he knew he had the race won the moment he hit the top. “As soon as I got to the top, I knew I had them beat,” said the Pukekohe reinsman. “Whenever they…