By Michael Guerin This is a public service announcement for punters: Mark Purdon is confident heading to Addington’s mega meeting tonight. Which means when assessing many of the features on the stacked 13-race card you should start with the champion horseman’s drives before looking anywhere else for your money makers. Purdon being confident is not unusual when discussing a horse or two, after all he has trained an army of champions who have been close to unbeatable in a series of Group 1 races. But this week there is extra…
Category: Meeting Previews
Todd “thrilled” with Marketplace’s progress
By Michael Guerin Trainer Regan Todd is adamant superstar three-year-old pacer Marketplace will be a different horse at Addington tonight than the one who ran unplaced last start. But Todd isn’t so sure that will still be enough to win the Group 1 Flying Stakes (9.37pm), the highlight of a stunning night of harness racing. Marketplace finished out of the money for the first time in last 13 starts when fourth fresh up two weeks ago in a very similar field to what he meets tonight. Todd wasn’t surprised and…
In-form Williams continues great trot down south
By Jonny Turner Tim Williams is letting the good times roll. The reinsman continued his wave of winter and spring success when guiding Ya Rite Darl to the easiest of victories in Thursday’s Aldebaran Zeus Southern Trotting Oaks at Ascot Park. Williams hadn’t driven the talented three-year-old since her fourth placing in the Group 1 Northern Trotting Derby in April. And last week the prospect of filling in for the filly’s regular driver John Dunn wasn’t on his radar. But the opportunity came along as the Stonewall Stud reinsman continues…
Barry Purdon back in the sulky after six year absence
By Michael Guerin One of the legends of New Zealand racing will make a comeback to the track on Friday night to partner a horse 67 years younger than him. Hall of Fame trainer Barry Purdon will have his first race night drive since 2019 when he partners Higher Power in an intermediate trot (Race 4, 7.27pm) at Alexandra Park, the three-year-old trotter set to start an odds-on favourite. Purdon, who trains Higher Power with Scott Phelan, is one of the all-time greats of either equine code in New Zealand,…
Orange overload at Addington
The Orange army will be out in force at Addington on Friday night. The stellar race night features a stacked card highlighted by three Harness Million and three Group races and it coincides with the official launch of the “Backing Blair” campaign just over three weeks before he carries home country hopes at the World Driving Championship. Friday’s launch will feature a life size cutout of Blair Orange in the fanzone at the front of Spectators and the man himself will be there after Race 5 (6.33pm) and Race 8…
Seddon Trotting Country Cup Series to kick off at Kaikoura
“Four” will be the magic number for trotters taking part in the up-coming Seddon Trotting Country Cup series. The series around the top half of the South Island has been confirmed for another year starting on Kaikoura Cup day on Monday, November 3 and culminating in a $30,000 Final at Addington on March 20, 2026. There will be 10 “heats” in all at Kaikoura, Westport, Reefton, Nelson, and Blenheim. The series is all about encouraging trainers to start on the circuit and boosting the profile of trotters and turnovers…
Lincoln La Moose looking to double up at Cambridge tonight
By Jordyn Bublitz Lincoln La Moose will be out to continue his winning form tonight at Cambridge Raceway, following an impressive fresh-up victory at the venue just last week. The four-year-old son of Art Major, trained at Lincoln Farms in Pukekohe by Ray Green and Nathan Delany, returned to racing in fine style. He was given a perfect trip in transit, getting a lovely drag into the race before sprinting away to win with ease. What made the performance stand out even more was the time, an overall 2:40 for…
Williamson with dual chances in today’s Southern Trotting Oaks
By Jonny Turner Master trotting trainer Phil Williamson isn’t sure how his team can beat Ya Right Darl in the Aldebaran Zeus Southern Trotting Oaks at Invercargill today. But he is going to give it a real crack. Last start Ya Right Darl ($1.60) romped home by more than 12 lengths in the recent Sires’ Stakes Classique at Addington. Williamson heads south with Atlantic City ($18), who headed the pack chasing Ya Right Darl in her crushing victory. Have A Little Faith also heads to Oaks as part of a…
Back to basics for Bet N Win at Addington on Friday night
By Michael Guerin After a failed experiment last week Rowe Cup-winning trotter Bet N Win will go back to basics for his return to racing at Addington tomorrow night. The Canterbury five-year-old might be the best trotter in the country, having not only won the Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park in May but he finished second in the Inter Dominion in Brisbane in July, beating home Oscar Bonavena. The latter stands in Bet N Win’s way in the $40,000 Braxton Farriers Worthy Queen Trot at Addington tomorrow night at what…
Team Cullen with big hand in 2YO race at Addington tonight
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk The in-form training combo of Hayden and Amanda Cullen look set for more success at Addington tonight. They will line up three starters in the night’s 2YO race, the Lather Up Dual World Champion Mobile Pace (8.22pm) One of them Mystery Creek has come in for some serious support. On the back of two encouraging trials, the son of Bettor’s Delight has gone from his opening price of $3.20 to $1.95. “They’ve really come for him haven’t they?” says co-trainer Hayden Cullen. “I…