By Jonny Turner A host of feature races await To The Moon And Back following his outstanding victory at Gore on Sunday. The progressive trotter repaid the faith his team have had in him when dispatching his opposition despite sitting parked for driver Kerryn Tomlinson. To The Moon And Back was bred by Lex Williams who races the three-year-old with a group of enthusiastic owners. Trainer Brad Williamson and the ownership group can target a host of lucrative group races for three-year-old trotters, with To The Moon And Back’s manners…
Category: Harness
Cullen team revving up at Timaru today
By Mike Love Rolleston trainers Amanda and Hayden Cullen will be looking to continue a successful weekend after We Walk By Faith’s victory at Addington on Friday night as they head to Phar Lap raceway in Timaru with four runners. “Both of the boys cleaned their dinner up last night – We Walk By Faith and Don’t Stop Dreaming. We had a quick look over them this morning before they went to the paddock and they’re both looking good,” said co-trainer Amanda Cullen. Focus now turns to the feature event…
Hunter keen to get involved in New Zealand Cup week
By Adam Hamilton Like so many Aussies, Glenn Hunter has watched New Zealand Cup Week and dreamed. In less than two months, his dream will become a reality. The 47-year-old, who has driven 244 winners and trained 45, will take his star trotting filly Gatesys Gem to Addington for the Majestic Horse Floats $500,000 Ascent on Show Day, November 14. “I’ve never been, but of course I’ve watched and loved it like everyone else,” he said. Gatesys Gem will join another star Victorian filly Tracy The Jet in a quest…
Williamson with a host of chances at Gore
By Jonny Turner Clotilde Wainwright should find life a lot easier when she returns to Gore on Sunday. In her last visit to Eastern Southland, the four-year-old ran a fighting third behind one of the rising stars of New Zealand trotting in Tarragindi. This time the Nathan Williamson-trained mare slots into a Gold Chip Final, taking on maidens and one and two-win trotters. And it has made her a clear top-pick in early betting. “She would be my best chance on Sunday,” Williamson said. “Her last run at Gore was…
“Cool dude” does it again for Branch at Cambridge
By Jordyn Bublitz Romeo Foxtrot proved once again that grit and determination count for plenty when he claimed victory in the IRT. Your Horse. Our Passion. Handicap Trot at Cambridge Raceway last night. The eight-year-old son of Majestic Son, trained locally by Susan Branch, began brilliantly off his 25-metre mark and quickly took control of the race with Zachary Butcher in the sulky. The pair dictated terms from the outset and, despite a late charge from Johnny Who, held strong all the way to the post. Branch, who has enjoyed…
Minstrel and Heza Sport withdrawn from NZ Cup field
The field for the $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup has had a trans-Tasman shake-up. Western Australian trainer Greg Bond has officially withdrawn Minstrel and (Gee) Heza Sport from the country’s biggest race at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. Minstrel, the winner of 27 races and over $1.6m, was third in his last race at Gloucester Park on September 12, with Gee Heza Sport finishing fifth. Minstrel was ninth in this week’s rankings and Heza Sport 13th. Their defections mean there will be a juggling of places in next…
New betting option at Addington tonight
The TAB has come up with a new market for those not keen on investing on hotpot The Lazarus Effect at Addington tonight. The Bob Butt-trained and driven Lazarus four-year-old is the shortest favourite of the night at $1.08 to secure his fourth career win from just six lifetime stars in Race 2, the Garrards Horse and Hound Mobile Pace (5.33pm). With him dominating the market the TAB is now offering a “The Lazarus Effect Out” option. With him out of the picture J T Boe is paying $2.40 for…
The whys and why nots of backing two returning stars at Addington tonight
By Michael Guerin The two most complete pacers in New Zealand return at Addington tonight with the same problem. Because both Marketplace and Republican Party are so good they are supposed to win but both could easily get beaten without losing their crowns. It is a common story in modern harness racing: wonderful horse gets bad draw or tough handicap in comeback race and connections want him driven conservatively so he starts his campaign with a positive experience. If you think you might have read this story before you have.…
Metro finals night at Alexandra Park
By Michael Guerin Ben Butcher thinks Pantani might be getting to the top of his learning curve just in time for tonight’s Metro Trot Final at Alexandra Park. The Cambridge trotter will start odds on in the $35,000 final after winning the stronger of the two heats run a fortnight ago by 10-and-a-half lengths, suggesting he is close to a good thing tonight. On that last start, and best form of 2024, Pantani probably should win again but there have been plenty of lows in between, with caretaker trainer and…
Let’s get “Backing Blair” this World Driving Championship
Kiwis all over the country are being encouraged to get behind the “Backing Blair” campaign at this November’s World Driving Championship. Seven-time New Zealand champion Blair Orange will be carrying the harness racing hopes of a nation when he wears the Silver Fern from November 2-11. And now fans can show their true colours. A line of Backing Blair merchandise has been designed specially for the WDC and a range of socks, beer coolers, caps, sunglasses and flags will be available for people to purchase. The merch will feature Orange’s…