By Brigette Solomon No stable is winning races like Michael House is right now. On Tuesday at Manawatu his runners won five of the night’s seven races – it’s the third time this year that he’s had five wins at the same meeting. The previous five-fors were also at Manawatu on February 11 and February 13. Four of the five winners were driven by son Wilson House, who is second in the drivers’ premiership with 43 wins this year, 10 shy of seven time champion Blair Orange. “It…
Category: Meeting Previews
News Briefs – April 2
Nina Hope’s record-breaking final training tally, an increase to the minimum wage, and plenty of chat about Cambridge’s Night of Champions all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Nina Hope’s final training tally This country’s most successful female trainer Nina Hope is leaving the training ranks with 903 career wins. As announced last week Hope is not renewing her trainers’ licence, with son Ben joining Greg in partnership from yesterday, April 1. The Woodend-based husband and wife combo of Greg and Nina Hope have been a huge successful training operation…
McCarthy heading for the front in $1mThe Race by betcha
By Michael Guerin Champion horseman Luke McCarthy has only one plan for Don Hugo after securing the perfect barrier in Friday’s $1million Race by Betcha at Cambridge. “We will be leading and staying there,” he says matter-of-factly. That was the New South Wales superstar driver’s only tactic after Don Hugo, the Inter Dominion and Miracle Mile champion, drew barrier 2 for the slot race over 2200m mobile, suggesting he will be the early leader. His arch rival and best horse in the race Leap To Fame drew the outside of front line,…
The winners and losers in today’s draw for Cambridge’s Night of Champions
Australian visitor Don Hugo and Oscar Bonavena appear to be the two winners out of today’s draw for Friday’s two big Slot races at Cambridge’s Night of Champions. Recent Miracle Mile winner Don Hugo has drawn ideally at two for the $1m The Race by betcha with key rivals Leap To Fame getting eight and big Kiwi hope and defending champion Merlin at seven. Both will come in one place if first emergency Mo’unga does not take his place in the field. Multiple Group 1 winner Republican Party is another…
National Bureau starts next Monday
Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) is pleased to announce that the National Bureau will officially be in operation from Monday, April 7, 2025. The Bureau is a significant step forward in streamlining the nomination, acceptance, and field release process for the sport across the country. From this date, all of these functions will be managed through a centralised system overseen by HRNZ, ensuring greater consistency and efficiency. For trainers making nominations and/or withdrawals these should be made via the HRNZ website or app. Race programmes will also be produced directly…
Lethaby takes five to Timaru
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk From her West Melton base Amber Lethaby will take five horses south to Timaru on Wednesday. The Timaru Harness Racing’s midweek meeting is a first for the club. It marks the first time they’ll race on the grass track usually reserved for the gallopers at Phar Lap Raceway. From her five chances Lethaby reckons some can certainly run in the money. “When you look at Racey Krusa, Sweet Glory and Gamely they are all each-way chances, the other two I would just be…
Lord Delmar goes for three in a row at Manawatu
By Brigette Solomon Lord Delmar is after a hat-trick of wins and just his second in two days when he lines up in Tuesday’s Peter and Wendy Ferguson Mobile Pace at Manawatu (5.44pm). The Downbytheseaside four-year-old was the standout performer at Sunday’s meeting taking out the City of Palmerston North Festival Cup for local trainer John Gommans. He trains the horse alongside his son Mark Gommans. “We were rapt with him, he’s really turned the corner,” said Mark Gommans, “there’s still a few things to work out on him yet…
Lexi and her “spicy pony”
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Lexi Nolan wanted a horse with attitude – and it sounds like she’s got exactly that in Elsu gelding No Way Else. “I like the spicy ponies,” says the 19-year-old, “he’s got a big personality. And he is pretty.” The pair have had a great start to 2025, crowned the Champion at January’s North Island Standardbred Championships and then winning the Harness to Hack event at the Waikato Equestrian Centre in late March. At the latter, against 12 other competitors, they won the In-hand and Jumping disciplines…
Aussies arrive for Friday’s big showdowns at Cambridge
By Michael Guerin The man behind Australian champion pacer Leap To Fame says he doesn’t mind where he draws in Friday’s $1m Race by betcha at Cambridge. But he does care where his key opponents draw. Grant Dixon has finally made it to New Zealand with his pacing hero after Leap To Fame was booked to come to last November’s New Zealand Cup but had to be pulled out with a blood complaint. He was also touted as potentially coming to this slot race last year but never made it…
Wyndham, Rangiora and Manawatu all feature on Super Sunday
It’s a rare harness racing triple header around the country today, with meetings at Wyndham, Rangiora and then Manawatu. Sam Thornley has some good each way changes in Canterbury as does Zachary Butcher at Manawatu, and racing journalist Jonny Turner has his Five to Follow at Wyndham. Sam Thornley rates his chances at Rangiora By Mike Love Canterbury junior reinsman Sam Thornley heads to Rangiora today with a solid book of drives, including some decent each way chances. “There are a few that have better chances than others, but in…