Category: Harness

Weanling sale success stories

NZHarnessNews

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  With less than two weeks until the annual NZB Standardbred National Weanling Sale, it seemed the perfect opportunity to reflect on some of the more ‘shrewd’ purchases out of that sale ring. This year’s event will be run alongside the thoroughbred sale, which opens the opportunities to an even wider audience…

Classy Kiwi presence in Brisbane this weekend

NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton  It is a big weekend for the Kiwis when the Brisbane Winter Carnival steps up a notch at Albion Park on Saturday night. Leading the way is Team Purdon’s star veteran trotter Oscar Bonavena, who faces a fascinating clash with the enigmatic but gifted Gus in Tony Veivers Memorial Trot (race four) over the mobile 2138m. Oscar Bonavena, who looked sharp winning and Albion Park trial last Friday, will be driven by Adam Sanderson and has eased from $1.40 to $1.80. Gus has been backed from $5.50…

American Me well-favoured to make winning return at Alexandra Park tonight

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin It may be 14 months since American Me last won a race but it was the quality of that victory that suggest he is the horse to beat in the main race at Alexandra Park tonight. The Ashburton pacer returns to the north and trainers Brent and Tim White appear to have found the ideal race in the $20,000 Classique Landscapers Pace (6.22pm). He is on a 25m handicap but only has four rivals in front of him, of which two share a 10m handicap, so being…

Mate against mate in feature pace at Addington tonight

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner  Friends will become foes at Addington on Friday night. Regan Todd and Craig Ferguson have enjoyed success together that many can only dream of over the past 12 months. But this time, the two horsemen will go head-to-head in Friday night’s feature pace with Betterthancash and Da Vinci in Race 5, the Breckon farms Lot 1081 NZB Weanling Sale handicap pace (6.12pm). . Betterthancash returns to the track for the first time since his outstanding win in a hectic running of the New Zealand Country Championship. With…

Phelan fronts up in third NZ amateur drivers championships

NZHarnessNews

By Jordyn Bublitz  Frank Phelan is hopeful of a strong start to the 2025 New Zealand Amateur Drivers Championships at Cambridge tonight. For well over a decade he’s been a strong force in the North Island amateur driving ranks and this week’s championships will be his third attempt at the title. He is one of 10 drivers taking part at Cambridge tonight and then Addington on Friday and Sunday. “The ultimate goal is to win,” Phelan says, “this year the winner gets to go to the World Champs so it…

Draws add to puzzle in Silk Road final at Invercargill today

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner  Where the main chances settle in the running of the Diamond Creek Farm and SBSR Silk Road Series Final is anyone’s guess. At least, that’s the feeling among the camps of several of the favourite runners ahead of the feature event at Ascot Park on Thursday (3.54pm). Francent ($1.65FF) is set to start a warm favourite in the mares’ event after a dominant heat win at Winton for trainer Mark Jones. The four-year-old must start from the outside of the front row under the feature event’s preferential…

Innings over for equine “centenarian”

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness news Desk  After a long and generally healthy life, Timely Imp has died peacefully in Canterbury. He was 37, a milestone generally acknowledged by experts as being the equine equivalent of being 100. Foaled in 1987, the much-loved former racehorse spent his retirement at Adele Wolt’s property in the Otahuna Valley near Christchurch. “I am thankful for his team of supporters who were amazed at his spirit and determination to live well, and enabled  him to enjoy life,” says Wolt. During his racing days he…

News Briefs – June 11

NZHarnessNews

Team Telfer go to the top of the premiership, Aussies confirmed for AYDC, and the up-coming weanling sales all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Telfers edge ahead in trainers’ premiership After their huge run of late Steve and Amanda Telfer and the Stonewall Stud team have a one win margin at the top of the Trainers’ premiership. They are on 72 wins this year having eclipsed one-time runaway leader Michael House. His latest win came with La Bamba , driven by son Wilson House, at Addington on Sunday. Wilson…

Sharpe returns to defend NZ amateur drivers’ crown

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  Andrew Sharpe is leaning on his winning experience from last year as he looks forward to this week’s New Zealand amateur drivers’ championships. The championships kick off at Cambridge on Thursday and then head to Addington for more racing on Friday and Sunday. Last year Sharpe, who works for Ray Green at Lincoln Farms in Pukekohe, won at his first attempt. He was third equal going into the final day only to win twice at Addington to leapfrog Michael House and Cheree Wigg…

4pm start for Friday Night Lights

NZHarnessNews

Friday Night Lights will be brought forward half an hour this week. Addington will host 12 races on Friday starting at 4.08pm with Auckland’s nine race card kicking off at 4.48pm. Because of Addington’s early start Trackside’s Friday Night Lights (FNL) show will start at 4pm rather than 4.30pm. Addington’s last race is set for 9.43pm with Auckland wrapping up at 8.56pm.