To all participants, members, volunteers, employees, suppliers, and supporters of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and Harness Racing New Zealand. New Zealand’s racing industry thrives because of the dedication, integrity, and passion of thousands of individuals, on the track, behind the scenes, and in our communities. Each of those individuals who run businesses, are employed, volunteer their time, or in other ways lend their positive support to racing and its participants play a vital role in ensuring our sport remains strong, inclusive, and future-focused. Unfortunately, there is a small minority of people…
Category: Meeting Previews
Neals line up strong local hopes at Cambridge
Local trainers Andrew and Lyn Neal head to Cambridge Raceway tonight with two live chances, each well-placed to make an impact on the card. First up for the team is Two Francs, who lines up in Race 3, the IRT. Your Horse Our Passion Handicap Trot (6:13p.m.) The four-year-old Majestic Son gelding has always shown ability, but it’s been a matter of getting his race-day manners in line. If he can step away cleanly tonight, co-trainer Lyn Neal believes he’ll be right in the finish. “He’s the coolest horse but he’s just a…
Averil’s big day out ends in perfect fashion
by Jonny Turner Sunday was billed as Averil’s big day out, and it proved exactly that. Northern Southland owner Averil Fowler sponsored one of the feature events at Ascot Park in the Averil’s Big Day Out Gold Chip Final. The event was run just two races after Fowler watched her pacer Miki Cohen win at $21 odds for trainer-driver Kirstin Green. Both helped deliver a thrilling Sunday for Fowler and her crew of supporters who came to enjoy her big day out. The race carrying her name came about after…
Confident Butt backs Bet N Win to go all the way in Inter Dom
Bob Butt is letting his mind wander. An easy win on night one for Bet N Win and another great barrier draw in the second round of heats on Saturday night have Butt excited about tackling Saturday week’s $500,000 Grand Final. And who the main danger might be. Other than unexpected change of training bases when Bet N Win first arrived in Queensland, everything has gone superbly for the young trotting star during this Aussie raid. “Even having to change bases because of the beach situation near Vic (Frost) and…
Six to watch: Trial form on show this week
These 6 horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week (10/7/25) they head back to the racetrack. Abitibi (3f Sweet Lou – Utmost Delight) Trainer: G Rogerson Manners have let her down badly in 2 raceday runs thus far & consequently stood down to trial satisfactorily before returning to the track. Did that at Pukekohe (1/7/25) where she worked to the front and just got nutted by race rival Ifindoubt in a 2:05MR, last 800m in 58.7 although she wasn’t under any pressure in run home and took…
Tough draws for Kiwis on night two of Inter Dominion
by Adam Hamilton Millionaire Kiwi trotter Oscar Bonavena’s exasperating start to the Brisbane Inter Dominion series has taken another twist. Mark and Nathan Purdon’s superstar nine-year-old has drawn gate one – probably one draw they didn’t want – in his do-or-die second round heat at Albion Park next Saturday night. Oscar Bonavena has a history of galloping when put under pressure from inside front row draws. The awkward draw follows an opening night horror show where he was held-up and hit the line full of running in seventh place. Driver…
Duchess Of Kent’s speed streak continues
by Jonny Turner There is more to Duchess Of Kent than the brilliance she’s shown in her recent winning hat-trick. The three-year-old made it three-from-three this time in when speeding up the Ascot Park passing lane to win the Diamond Creek Farm & SBSR Silk Road Final on Sunday. Speed has been the key ingredient in Duchess Of Kent’s hat-trick of victories, with the filly settling handy in each before zipping home to score for driver Brent Barclay. As fast as she is, trainer Lauren Pearson thinks there is more…
Jeremy Pearson claims first training success
by Mike Love Templeton trainer Jeremy Pearson trained his first winner yesterday when Coba Charged took out the Wouldn’t Be Here Without Ted & Di Enright pace, with Sam Thornley in the sulky. “It’s bloody brilliant,” said Pearson. It was Pearson’s eleventh race as a trainer, and only the second this season. It was Coba Charged’s ninth career start and maiden victory. Coba Charged made a good beginning from the outside of the tapes to be in the one out one back position briefly before being left parked. Over-racing in…
Kiwis make their presence felt on opening night of Inter Dominion
New Zealand’s raiders had a varied start to the Inter Dominion carnival at Albion Park, with two wins, a strong runner-up performance, and a few who’ll be looking to bounce back on night two. Mixed night for Kiwi trotters at Inter Dominion opener It was a tale of two very different stories for New Zealand’s two trotting stars on Inter Dominion opening night at Albion Park. The shock came when millionaire veteran Oscar Bonavena was bailed up in traffic and only finished seventh in the first trotting heat. Driver Adam…
Monarch Prince heads Howe team at Addington
by Mike Love West Melton trainer John “Coaster” Howe will be celebrating and recognizing his support crew at Addington today – as well as lining up four runners with strong chances. In race three the Congrats Hornby Panthers 15s! Grand Final Winners trot over 2000m sees KD Grins ($4.50FF) go around with Robbie Holmes in the sulky. The three-year-old Imperial Count filly has placed three times from eight starts and will look to use her manners and draw to secure an economical run. “It’s getting better with its manners. We’ve just…