Category: Harness

by Adam Hamilton Champion Queensland trainer Grant Dixon cannot believe star Kiwi filly Captains Mistress was overlooked for a start in Saturday night’s $300,000 Group 1 Rising Sun at Albion Park. Instead, her Kiwi trainer Nathan Williamson will come across her as a hot favourite from barrier in a consolation of the Rising Sun. “I’m more than surprised, I’m dumbfounded, to be honest,” Dixon said. “What more did she need to do? “Along with everything she’s done in NZ, she’s come across here (Brisbane) early and won both her races.…

Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) advises the industry of important amendments to the Harness Racing New Zealand Regulations – Conduct of Meetings, Programming, Handicapping and Rating Regulation, specifically relating to Clause 17: Junior Driver Rating Concessions. Correction to Clause 17.1 – Eligibility Threshold Increased Effective immediately, the wording of Clause 17.1 has been revised to correct the eligibility threshold for junior driver concessions. The original clause stated: “Race-winning 4YO and older horses driven by a junior driver that has driven up to and including 10 career wins at the commencement…

Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) advises the industry of important amendments to the Harness Racing New Zealand Regulations – Conduct of Meetings, Programming, Handicapping and Rating Regulation, specifically relating to Clause 17: Junior Driver Rating Concessions. Correction to Clause 17.1 – Eligibility Threshold Increased Effective immediately, the wording of Clause 17.1 has been revised to correct the eligibility threshold for junior driver concessions. The original clause stated: “Race-winning 4YO and older horses driven by a junior driver that has driven up to and including 10 career wins at the commencement…

by Adam Hamilton The barrier draws have given the Kiwi raiders their chance to make statements on Inter Dominion opening night at Albion Park on Saturday. The biggest winner was young trotting star Bet N Win, who snared the pole in the second of the two trotting heats. In contrast, his main danger and prepost favourite for the final, Arcee Phoenix, has drawn outside the front row (gate seven). Earlier, NZ’s other contender in the trotting series, old Oscar Bonavena, has drawn a back row trailing draw (gate nine) in…

by Adam Hamilton The barrier draws have given the Kiwi raiders their chance to make statements on Inter Dominion opening night at Albion Park on Saturday. The biggest winner was young trotting star Bet N Win, who snared the pole in the second of the two trotting heats. In contrast, his main danger and prepost favourite for the final, Arcee Phoenix, has drawn outside the front row (gate seven). Earlier, NZ’s other contender in the trotting series, old Oscar Bonavena, has drawn a back row trailing draw (gate nine) in…

From Monday, 4 August 2025, the deadline to notify drivers will be 24 hours from withdrawals. For example: For Addington on Friday, nominations will close at 12:00pm Monday and withdrawals at 2:00pm Monday. The driver notification deadline in this case will be 2:00pm Tuesday. This change is part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining professionalism and ensuring wagering information remains accurate and consistent. If you have any queries regarding this update, please contact bureau@hrnz.co.nz.

by Adam Hamilton The Kiwi rampage in Queensland rolled into a third week when young guns Captains Mistress and Rubira starred again at Redcliffe last night. Captain Mistress set the tone when she made two wins from as many starts in Queensland with a narrow but fantastic win in the $52,000 Group 3 Redcliffe Oaks. With trainer Grant Dixon having five of the 10 runners in the Oaks, Captains Mistress; Kiwi trainer-driver Nathan Williamson made a surprise trip across the ditch to drive her. It was never going to be…

by Rob Courtney When your horse wins at Addington on a Sunday & pays $48 to win its probably fair to say that your confidence levels were most likely ‘luke warm’ to say the least but for part owner Stewie Sutherland it must have been something of a ‘time warp’ as the Superfast Stuart-Foot Loose mare put on a faultless display in recording her 2nd win from just her 9th raceday start. “She had gone a couple of nice trials recently but run ‘no time’ “ according to her trainer…

As Executive of the NZ Sires’ Stakes Board, Martin Pierson has a reminder for breeders, owners, and trainers considering their next move. “Now’s the time to confirm your commitment,” says Pierson. “Foal nominations, yearling sustaining, and three-year-old sustaining payments all close on Tuesday, July 1st, 2025.” This deadline arrives as the Sires’ Stakes Series continues to gain momentum, following increased funding through Harness Racing New Zealand’s The Future Starts Now strategy. “For the cost of a few bags of feed, you can ensure your horse remains eligible for some of…

By Mike Love Moonlite Blood and driver Robbie Close delivered a poignant victory in the Remembering Murray Brown Leading Southland Trainer Mobile Pace at Addington yesterday, providing Loburn trainer Andrew Stuart with one of his most meaningful racing moments. Stuart had a special connection to Brown through his early harness racing education, making the victory all the more significant when Close guided Moonlite Blood to success wearing Brown’s colours. “If it wasn’t for him I probably wouldn’t be in the game,” said Stuart. The race unfolded perfectly for the five year old…