By Jonny Turner They’ve made their mark again on the national yearling sales, and now Stonewall Stud will be out to conquer Cromwell. Trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer bring three horses south just a couple of days after their team set a new Australasian record for purchasing a trotting yearling. A filly by star North American stallion Walner from Egee Money was purchased by the powerful stable for $290,000. The blueblood squaregaiter is among 12 yearlings Stonewall Stud bought out of the Christchurch sales ring on Wednesday, following their purchase…
Category: Harness
Hollis hoping Rhinestone will sparkle at Cambridge tonight
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Logan Hollis is upbeat about finishing an already good week on a high. On Monday Hollis and partner Shane Robertson (Hollis and Robertson Equine Services) were the leading vendor by average at the NZB Standardbred National Yearling sales at Karaka. They sold six yearlings, worth a combined $617,000 including the $220,000 sales topper, a Walner – Destinee Jenilou filly on behalf of Australian breeders Yabby Dam Farms. “Three or four more of our yearlings were close to their reserve too so hopefully NZB will…
Riley Harrison on her nine drives at Motukarara today
By Mike Love Canterbury junior driver Riley Harrison is for a busy day at Motukarara. She has nine drives on the 12-race programme starting just after noon, many look to be excellent each-way value. Harrison, who works for Woodend Beach trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn, starts her day off in those colours with Amici ($6.50FF) in Race 1, (12:05pm) the NZ Bloodstock Airfreight Mobile Pace over 2000m. Drawn a little awkwardly, Harrison suggests though the mare is racing well, some luck will be required from their second line draw. “Hopefully…
Johnson heads south as Revell Douglas Series heats up
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk “No stranger to travelling,” accomplished junior driver Emily Johnson heads south this weekend as the annual Revell Douglas Memorial Series heads towards its conclusion. On Sunday she’ll drive at Motukarara for the first time, in Heat 5 of the series (3.14pm) knowing she is second in the series, just seven points behind leader Harrison Orange, who is not driving at the meeting. “I am keen to have a good go at it and it will be good experience to drive there,” says…
Bonus awaits Keayang Zahara in huge night at Melton
By Adam Hamilton History says Kiwi fans should be glued to tonight’s Great Southern Star at Melton in Victoria. In the two runnings of the $600,000 Trot Slot at Cambridge, the Great Southern Star has proven the defining form line. And this year looks no different. In 2024 the great Just Believe beat Callmethebreeze, Queen Elida and Arcee Phoenix. Just a couple of months earlier in the Great Southern Star, it was Callmethebreeze beating Just Believe with Arcee Phoenix fifth and Queen Elida seventh. Last year, it was another Aussie,…
The Big Lebowski gunning for third Cup win at Gore
By Jonny Turner Great memories are sure to come flooding back if The Big Lebowski can continue his brilliant form in the Gore Town and Country Club Summer Cup on Sunday. The big-striding pacer will be out to seal a hat-trick of cup race victories after taking out the recent Riverton and Waikouaiti Cups for trainer Brett Gray. Gore’s Summer Cup is part of a bumper race day which celebrates the Gore Harness Racing Club reaching its 125th year. The Big Lebowski was bred and developed in Eastern Southland by…
Josh Dickie’s change of plan in 2026
By Michael Guerin Talented driver Josh Dickie is hoping the next phase of his career can start with a win at Alexandra Park tonight. Dickie partners last-start winner Father Barry for his father John in the opening race tonight, the $15,000 Classique Landscapers Metro heat and punters can expect to see him doing far more driving for the family and outside stables in the future. Dickie and fiancée Sammy Kilgour have gone out on their own account after two years working for premiership trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer, that stint…
Change of tact for Josh Dickie
By Michael Guerin Talented driver Josh Dickie is hoping the next phase of his career can start with a win at Alexandra Park tonight. Dickie partners last-start winner Father Barry for his father John in the opening race tonight, the $15,000 Classique Landscapers Metro heat and punters can expect to see him doing far more driving for the family and outside stables in the future. Dickie and fiancée Sammy Kilgour have gone out on their own account after two years working for premiership trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer, that stint…
Orange opts for Arafura in tonight’s Breeders Stakes at Addington
By Michael Guerin A surprise driving decision will see two new combinations at the top of the market in tonight’s $100,000 Fahey Fence Hire Breeders Stakes (8.05pm) at Addington. Champion horseman Blair Orange produced a stunning drive to get General Jen home from five back on the markers in the Garrards Mares Championship two weeks ago, the lead-up race to tonight’s Group 1. But Orange sprung a surprise when he opted to partner General Jen’s stablemate Arafura tonight even though she has drawn the second line and not raced for…
Hackett looking to build on Tuesday’s success at Manawatu today
By Jordyn Bublitz Crystal Hackett couldn’t have asked for a much better start to Palmerston North’s two-day harness racing meeting, and she heads into today’s second instalment with confidence and momentum on her side. Hackett had four drives on Tuesday and walked away with two winners (Change Tact and Tinkerbelle) and a third placing (Benson Dude). Today, she reunites with the same four horses and is hopeful they can deliver again. In Race 2, the Outback Trading Mobile Pace (5.24pm), Hackett partners Benson Dude, who faces a tougher assignment from…