By Jonny Turner There were differing fortunes for old friends Bruce Wallace and Phil Williamson on Southern Surge Finals Day. But both still managed to secure two of the major prizes on a big day of southern harness racing in Gore. Williamson and Wallace aren’t just friends, they’re connected by one of New Zealand’s greatest broodmares in Frances Jay Bee. In the 1990s, Wallace owned and trained the mare with Williamson doing the driving before he took over the training. Following her retirement, Wallace bred the mare on a turnabout…
Category: Meeting Previews
Hi Life goes bang at Rangiora
By Mike Love Hi Life cruised into the winner’s circle at Rangiora yesterday, taking out the Barny’s All Trade Services pace over 2000m for Rangiora trainer Geoff Dunn. The four-year-old Sky Major mare had not raced since October 2024, and while Dunn was able to put the finishing touches on her preparation, he was quick to credit others for the win. “I’ve only had her for about six weeks. She was worked up by the owner Bruce Taylor, so she was ready to go when she got here,” Dunn said.…
Dewe delighted with Share A Dream ahead of Southern Surge at Gore today
By Jonny Turner Share A Dream can take his comeback story to another level with victory in one of Sunday’s Southern Surge Finals at Gore. It was only in March that the pacer’s chances of making it back to the track were up in the air. Share A Dream showed promise early in his career in Canterbury before spending around 14 months away from the races through injury. But during a whirlwind last couple of months, the five-year-old has raced through the grades under the care of trainer Tyler Dewe.…
Williamsons with big chances in Sunday’s Southern Surge finals at Gore
By Jonny Turner It should be straightforward for one of Phil Williamson’s rising stars, but not as easy for another in the finals of the Southern Surge. Southern harness racing’s newest series is set to finish with a bang with eight outstanding finals set down to be run at Gore on Sunday. The Williamson-trained Rangitata could claim the title of being New Zealand’s best handicapped horse when he starts in the first final of the Southern Surge. The three-year-old was a powerful winner of his first start in the first…
Sutherland with well-favoured pair at Rangiora
By Mike Love Rakaia trainer Stuart Sutherland takes two runners to the Rangiora meeting on Sunday, both of whom look each way chances. Sabi Sands ($4.40FF), in Race 2, the Barnsy’s All Trade Services Pace (1.10pm) over 2000m, is backing up from last Sunday’s debut effort at the Kurow meeting where he ran third. “He’s come through the run well. He’s eating up and seems a happy horse,” said Sutherland. The big four-year-old gelding by Sunshine Beach, who will be driven by Kimberley Butt, has had his fair share of…
Mo’unga and Akuta star on big Friday Night Lights
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Mo’unga has sealed his place in the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup with an impressive win in the Allied Security Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington Raceway tonight. The Regan Todd-trained star bided his time early as favourite Franco Marek headed to the front only for driver Robbie Close to unleash late and overhaul the leader, who held on for second ahead of American Me and defending champion Dalton Shard. It was an outstanding effort from Mo’unga, who had started off 10 metres. The…
Dreams Of Eric bounces back with third career win
By Jordyn Bublitz How fortunes can change in the space of a few weeks. On July 31 Dreams Of Eric fell soon after the start of his race at Cambridge. Last night the promising three-year-old colt was back at the track and in the winners’ circle after delivering a determined front-running victory in the NZ Farmers Livestock Mobile Pace. Drawn wide in barrier 8, Dreams Of Eric faced a tough task on paper, but co-trainer and lessee Nathan Delany was quietly confident in the colt’s chances after some sharp work…
Marketplace getting match fit ahead of big few months
Boom pacer Marketplace has had his first serious hit-out ahead of what promises to be a massive few months. The Bettor’s Delight three-year-old, a winner of 10 of his 16 starts, hasn’t raced since his Group 1 success in the Garrards NZ Sires’ Stakes Series 3YO Colts and Geldings Final at Addington on May 16. He then had a five week break before heading to the water walker at Brian and Leslie Court’s in Canterbury. Then there was some light cantering before getting the hobbles back on and the serious…
Always Dreaming the one to beat at Sunday’s Southern Surge
By Jonny Turner Theoretically Always Dreaming should be winning his Southern Surge Final at Gore on Sunday. But with lucrative stakes up and an outstanding series about to culminate, theories can go out the window. Always Dreaming is part of a powerful squad that trainer-driver Nathan Williamson lines up on a big day for southern harness racing. The three-year-old beat the same field he faces from the same tough draw in his excellent Southern Surge heat win at Ascot Park a fortnight ago. As the pacer was fresh up…
Franco Marek’s NZ Cup bid at Addington tonight
By Michael Guerin Tonight’s $40,000 Allied Security Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington (8.14pm) isn’t Franco Marek’s Grand Final but it holds his ticket to his Grand Final. The hard-running pacer looks the most likely beneficiary of his last-start conqueror Alta Meteor missing tonight’s Group 3 race after he beat many of these home when finishing second last start. While owner-trainer Greg Manson was pleased with that performance tonight’s race has always been his early season aim with Franco Marek because it includes a golden ticket for the winner into the…