By Michael Guerin Hot favourite Hawkeye Pierce could be forgiven for being a touch confused when he scores up from barrier 2 in the race of the night at Alexandra Park tonight. Because the four-year-old is far more used to bad draws and hard runs that what he faces in the Join TAB Racing Club Mobile over 1700m tonight (7.24pm). An impressive last-start winner when fresh up for trainers Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson, Hawkeye Pierce has been brave but often beaten, winning just three of his 16 starts. While…
Category: Harness
HRNZ Statement: Actions in Response to Review Panel Findings
Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) will adopt all 12 recommendations from the independent review into the 2YO Young Guns Trot Series Final, held at Alexandra Park on 10 May 2025. The review was conducted by an independent panel of experienced professionals with regulatory and industry expertise, following concerns raised about the eligibility criteria for the Series. These concerns were prompted after a horse that had not competed in a heat was permitted to start in the Final and went on to win the Final. HRNZ CEO Brad Steele says implementing…
Independent Panel Releases Findings on Young Guns Final
Letter from Panel Chair, Lee Robinson In May 2025, stakeholders and racing participants voiced concerns about late changes to eligibility conditions for the Young Guns Series Final at Alexandra Park on May 10, 2025. Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) responded to these concerns by establishing an independent review panel, with myself as chair and Felicity Caird and Paul Black as fellow panellists. As part of our review, we spoke to a wide range of industry participants, HRNZ staff members, and various stakeholders to gather comprehensive perspectives on the matter. We…
Williamson searching for success in the sulky at Southern Surge
By Jonny Turner Phil Williamson is looking to turn back the clock to 2021 on the first day of the Southern Surge at Winton on Sunday. Four years ago, Williamson’s form in the sulky at Central Southland Raceway was red-hot. But the undisputed king of New Zealand trotting hasn’t driven a winner since. Not that he’s tried too hard. The master trotting trainer can get back on the board on Sunday when he teams up with two runners from his powerful team of six starting on day one of the…
The Trials Report – July 30
These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week 31/7/25 they head back to the racetrack. Pretty In Pink (3f Father Patrick – Tickle Me Pink) Tr. A Herlihy Well-bred young trotter who hasn’t started since November 2024 but primed by recent workouts at Auckland. The latest workout (18/7/25) where she trailed before sweeping up around final turn and proving far too good for three rivals, with plenty of petrol left. MR:2:07.6, 800m in 59.7, 400m in 29.2. Resumes this Friday at Auckland in Race 7 and with…
Take After Me first to be Harness 5000 eligible
Already a history-maker, Take After Me has now become the first horse to be Harness 5000 eligible. The new Harness 5000 race meeting will be held at Ashburton on December 21, with a total of 12 $60,000 finals for trotters and pacers whose sire stood for an advertised retail service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception. The finals will be for 3YO, 4YO and 5YO and older Fillies and Mares and Colts, Geldings and Entires, for both gaits This year the qualifying period is from…
Doosie of a win for Butt and White
By Mike Love Major Doosie provided milestone wins for both driver Kimberley Butt and co-trainer Brent White by winning the Betavet Buildagut Mobile Trot (1980m) at Addington yesterday. Butt brought up her 200th driving win when the three-year-old Majestic Son gelding trotted to his third victory from 12 starts. It was also White’s 300th training success. “It’s very cool, I’m pretty stoked to get the 300 for Whitey as well. It’s pretty special.” said driver Kimberly Butt. Major Doosie was crossed early from the dispatch before Butt elected to go…
Mugford eyes winners circle with Ruthless Emma
By Mike Love Leeston trainer Anj Mugford will be looking for a trip to the winner’s circle at Addington today when Ruthless Emma lines up in race two, the Betavet Prepare Handicap trot over 2000m. The four-year-old What The Hill mare has not missed a placing this campaign, and backs up today after a strong second placing last Sunday behind the talented Laura McKay-trained Birdy. “She’s come through last week really well. She’s bright and happy in her work,” said Mugford. The manners that Ruthless Emma brings will be a…
Stuart and Close deliver at value
By Michael Guerin Andrew Stuart and Robbie Close were the kings of the giant killers at Addington on Friday. The trainer and driver combined to win two races at a best fixed odds double price of 275-1 as Moonlite Blood and Here Comes Marty downed their more favoured rivals to give Stuart a hard to come by Friday night double. It was the theme of the night as smaller stables won most of the races, the exception being Team Telfer who trained a double to move to 101 wins for…
Double for Herlihy at The Park
By Michael Guerin One race drive and one phone call was all it took for Move It Lou to find a new home with Tony Herlihy. But the champion horseman was placing the credit for the juvenile’s win at Alexandra Park on Friday with former trainers Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson. Herlihy drove Move It Lou in his first start four weeks ago and liked what he felt as the son of Sweet Lou finished second. He asked Hollis and Robertson, who also owned the gelding, whether he was for…