Category: Harness

Presenter-driver-trainer Brittany Graham knows a thing or two about racing on both sides of the Tasman and now that the Queenslander is working for Trackside in this country she’s (reluctantly) agreed to write a weekly column. By Brittany Graham The connections of New Zealand-bred trotter Gus are hoping a return to his country of birth on the second Tuesday in November will be fruitful. Gus is presently on the fifth line of betting with TAB at $10 for the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot on Cup day at Addington Raceway on…

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News desk  It’s one target down and two to go for talented junior driver Olivia Thornley. Last night the 25-year-old achieved a major personal milestone with her 100th driving success. Robyns Art came from the one-one to win the Captaintreacherous – The Morning Star Filly Mobile in race 4 at Addington ahead of Lorton Vale in a Michael House-trained quinella. “Getting to 100 wins is something I’ve always wanted to do – it’s one of those milestones you want to tick off,” Thornley says. “It…

Trevor Craddock, one of the great characters of West Coast harness racing, will be farewelled at Westport tomorrow (Friday). The 85-year-old is being remembered as someone who “loved his racing and rugby” and had “a great life”. Based at Patterson Park, Craddock had exactly 100 training wins between 1967 and 2014 with 27 successes as a driver. His first driving and training win was with Wheels at Reefton in 1967. Among his best horses were Clifford Jasper (10 wins), Chiola Reb (10 wins), and Brooksdale Pal, Oregon Heights, Jovial Jan…

By Jordyn Bublitz  Confidence is the key for Look To Da Stars at Cambridge Raceway tonight. The four-year-old son of Andover Hall lines up in the NZMCA Parking At Cambridge Raceway Handicap Trot (7.54pm) for Pukekohe trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon, with in-form reinsman Andre Poutama taking the drive. As a three-year-old, he showed flashes of real ability when tested against some of the better trotters in his crop.   “He showed us a bit of promise early, but he hasn’t gone on with it like we thought he would,”…

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  It’s been a decade since Chris Butt took three of his own horses to the races, but that’s exactly what he’s doing at Addington today. The Balcairn-based trainer-driver lines up Mister in Race 2, the West Melton BP Supports CSBA and Breeders Trot (5.18pm), Willy Away in Race 3, the Equine PEMF Therapy Mobile Pace (5.49pm) and Lord Mudrick in Race 5, the Breed-Race-Win-Repeat Mobile Pace (6.55pm). “This would be the first time I’ve had three at the races since Australia,” says Butt.…