Category: Meeting Previews

Kiss The Girls wins action-paced Akaroa Cup

NZHarnessNews

By Mike Love  Yaldhurst trainers Derek and Adele Jones continued to have success with their team after Kiss The Girls was a very impressive winner in yesterday’s Cavalier Trotting Products Akaroa Cup at Motukarara. In what were dramatic events before the race got underway – with two false starts and the late scratching of Ted’s Legacy with his trainer and driver Jim Curtin being injured – Kiss The Girls made two fliers from those false starts before scrambling away when it mattered to settle six back on the fence. Driver…

Leap To Fame beaten into second at Melton

NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton  It was the biggest upset at Melton in decades. Leap To Fame’s stunning defeat last night rekindled memories of the night Courage Under Fire’s unbeaten streak came to an end at Moonee Valley on January 22, 2000. It was just Leap To Fame’s 14th defeat in 71 career starts and his first in his past 10 starts. Things looked good in the run when Grant Dixon was able to quickly work around and take Leap To Fame to the lead. But the first worrying signs came when…

Jake looking to add to excellent grass track record at Motukarara

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk   As the in-form Jake heads back to Motukarara on Sunday, owner/breeder Grahame Scurr is hoping his golden run is far from over. The Bettor’s Delight eight-year-old has won two of his last three starts and is gunning for career win number six in the Clubs NZ Race Days January and  February 2026 Pace (Race 7, 3.05pm). “He is just jumping out of his skin,” says Scurr, “he’s absolutely thriving.” Now 74, the retired poultry farmer has been involved in racing for more…

Jumal stuns in Harness Million win at Addington

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin At the end of a night of questions at Addington on Friday there was a statement. And the one Jumal made came with an exclamation mark. The Steven Reid-trained juvenile capped a magical night of harness racing with a remarkable performance in the NZBS Harness Million, overcoming a second line draw and having to settle well back to bolt in. He did so after being forced three wide from the 800m and he when he should have flinched Jumal did something else: he produced one of the…

New Zealand Cup still on for two-time winner Swayzee

NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton  Champion Aussie stayer Swayzee remains on target for the IRT NZ Trotting Cup despite being ruled-out of a key lead-up race. Trainer Jason Grimson has confirmed Swayzee would not defend his crown in next Saturday’s $A250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton after a health setback. But he quickly stressed Swayzee would still chase a record-equalling third successive $1m NZ Cup on November 11. Swayzee was a clear $4 second favourite for the Victoria Cup behind his arch-rival and younger half-brother Leap To Fame ($1.35). Leap To…

Mighty Logan heads stable quinella in Worthy Queen

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Mighty Logan is ready to take the next step and it might be at the perfect time. The quirky trotter led home a Diamond Racing-trained quinella in the Worthy Queen Trot at Addington on Friday night, beating stablemate I Dream Of Jeannie and Muscle Mountain in a pressure-filled race. While he made the most of a 10m head start over the hotshot backmarkers by stepping quickly and heading to the lead soon after Mighty Logan was then taken on by One Over All. They ran hard early…

White with training-driving double at Cambridge

NZHarnessNews

By Jordyn Bublitz  Clevedon trainer-driver Matthew White enjoyed a standout night at Cambridge Raceway last night , coming away with two wins and a second from his three runners. He drove all three himself. First out for the night was Forgiveness, who set the tone with a gritty effort to finish second in the Xmas At The Raceway Tickets On Sale Now Handicap Trot. Off a 25m handicap, the mare produced a strong finish to run into the placing and signalled a welcome return to form. “Back left-handed is probably…

Purdon team good to go at Addington tonight

NZHarnessNews

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…

Todd “thrilled” with Marketplace’s progress

NZHarnessNews

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

NZHarnessNews

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…