Category: Harness

It’s here!  Today is IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day, the country’s biggest race day. There are 13 races, starting at noon, with the day’s two biggest races, the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at 4.37pm and the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at 5.53pm. So to help you navigate the day here are some tips and selections.  HOW TO TACKLE NZ CUP DAY By Michael Guerin 1: The Cup, Republican Party (R12, No.5): The little fella isn’t the best horse in the race but I’m not sure there is any…

The draws have been made for the two $500,000 3YO slot races at Addington Raceway on Show Day (Friday, November 14). In the Hill, Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY Marketplace has got the early advantage, drawing two with  arch rival Got The Chocolates at 6 (the outside of the front row). Australian visitor Fate Awaits is at 5, with Rubira one the second row. Of the four fillies in the Majestic Horsefloats THE ASCENT the two highly-rated Australians Gatesys Gem and Tracy The Jet have drawn one and three with…

The popular Out The Gate team will be in action tomorrow on racing’s biggest day at Addington Raceway.  For the first time the trio of Guy Heveldt, Brendon Popplewell and Mitch James will be spending up large throughout  the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup meeting.  The high energy show was launched in August and their regular Thursday timeslot on Trackside has attracted a lot of interest.    To get involved people need to scan the QR code below and then invest in the “Hosted Pot”. Out The Gate runs like…

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  Only a disaster can stop Canada’s James MacDonald from winning his second World Driving Championship title at Addington Raceway on Tuesday. In Sunday’s heats at Winton the Netherlands’ Jaap van Rijn was the individual star with three wins from the day’s four heats to climb from eighth to third overall, behind MacDonald and Australian Gary Hall junior. Van Rijn’s wins came with Shezza Vinnie in Heat 16, Jordan Anne in heat 18 and in the last heat of the day with Mouton Cadet.…

Canada’s James MacDonald has just a nine point lead heading into Sunday’s four heats of the World Driving Championship at Winton. After 15 of a total 20 heats, he has 130 points, with Australia’s Gary Hall junior next on 121. New Zealand’s Blair Orange is fourth on 107 and still very much in contention. Strong southern connection for Gary Hall junior at Winton  By Jonny Turner  Southland trainers will have a foot in two camps when the World Driving Championship comes to Winton on Sunday. The southern harness racing fraternity…

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  Blair Orange has today become the youngest ever harness racing driver to bring up 3000 winners in New Zealand. The Canterbury-based 47-year-old brought up the milestone winning with Always A Menace in Heat 11 of the World Driving Championship in front of friends and family at his home track, Addington.  “It hasn’t sunk in but it’s a pretty cool thing,” he said post race.   He is just the fourth driver to get to 3000, following on from Tony Herlihy, Maurice McKendry and…