Category: Meeting Previews

By Mike Love  Ashburton trainer Wendy Stevenson takes three good each-way chances to Phar Lap Raceway in Timaru for their summer twilight meeting this afternoon. In Race 1, the Brosnan Transport Passing Lane Mobile Pace over 2050 metres Gotta Lather Up ($10.00FF) will be looking for a more economical run after having a couple of torrid trips since breaking maiden status at Oamaru three starts ago.  “We were pleased with him at Motukarara after drawing 16. Even though he only ran seventh he just couldn’t get in, and he’s still…

By Jonny Turner  The race’s first few seconds are likely to decide whether Steven McRae goes home with today’s Shannon Farm Cromwell Cup again. McRae has been a fixture at the Central Otago summer harness racing circuit in recent seasons and is already enjoying another successful trip south before the final meeting at Cromwell.  Cinderella Franco was as impressive as any maiden winner south of the Waitaki in recent times when she sped to victory at Omakau on Friday. The filly will be out to make it two from two…

Selections for Omakau today.         Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet!   Omakau            Jonny TurnerRacing Journalist  Race 1 12.28pm 6 Mr Cash Man8 Destiny’s Dream7 Bettor Way3 Nyla   Race 212.59pm 4 Kairo8 Jaccka Jim11 Fiery Adi8 What’s The Whisper  Race 31.32pm 2 Turn N Burn3 Cinderella Franco10 Captain Christina12 Mighty Flying Miki  Race 42.06pm 8 Sonofamistery10 By Chance6 Rise Up N Dance9 Quinn   Race 52.42pm  8 Princess Sadie7 Dreams Pat3 Vertigo4 Randel Huston P  Race 63.17pm 2 Beluga5 Anita Mary3 Rockoutray11 Franco Seb     …

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  Junior driver Kate Coppins finds herself in an unusual position at the Wairarapa Harness Racing Club’s short and sharp dual code meeting at Tauherenikau on Friday. All four of her drives on the four-race programme are on heavily-favoured runners for Michael House. “I am very excited for it,” she says, “Micky always has all his horses on point.” Her drives will be Koko Kaboom (R1), Big Gee (R2), Million Dollar Chic (R3) and Goorambat Art (R4). Both Koko Kaboom and Million Dollar Chic…

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  The New Year will also see a new driver step out for the first time. Josh Lane will make his race day debut with two drives at Rangiora’s 11 race meeting which starts at 12.25pm. “It’s been a goal for a long time, ” he says.  The 31-year-old, who works for Robbie Holmes at his Balcairn barn in North Canterbury, will take the reins behind Inquizitive Man for trainer David McKenzie in Race 4, the Jack Behrns Memorial Trot (1.50pm) and then MM…

By Michael Guerin The new superpower of one of New Zealand’s elite stables could help them end  the season as our leading money makers at Alexandra Park today. While there are two Group 1s tonight, the $250,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup (7.35pm) and $100,000 Peter Breckon Memorial National Trot (6.25pm), most of the national harness racing premierships are already decided. Team Telfer had the trainers premiership won six months ago and put an exclamation mark on that when they broke the national record with win 169 for the season at…

By Michael Guerin When one of our greatest ever horse trainers says has no doubts Merlin can handle the 3200m of tonight’s $250,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup you have to listen. But as confident as Barry Purdon is in the most favoured of his three reps in tonight’s Group 1 at Alexandra Park, he also admits the enormity of the challenge they face in beating favourite Republican Party. Barry Purdon has trained eight Auckland Cup winners, his first an incredible 47 years ago with Sole Command. He and training partner…

By Mike Love  Elgin trainer David Mitchell joins the party on the coast for the final day of the circuit today.  He takes three sound chances to the Reefton meeting, including Deceptive Lee in the feature, the $25,000 Rosco Contractors Reefton Cup over 2500m. “He seems pretty forward,” said trainer David Mitchell. Deceptive Lee has not raced since winning at Addington in September but has been to the workouts. “His last workout at Methven was good and a bit of form has come out of that.” It will be tough…