With the halfway mark of the 2025 racing calendar now passed, as we move into July the premiership tables are starting to take shape – with a few standout stories already emerging. Orange in control again Blair Orange is no stranger to leading the pack, and once again finds himself on top of the national drivers premiership. With 99 wins from 585 drives so far, the seven-time premiership winner is on track to crack 200 wins for the first time since 2021. He fell just short of that mark last…
Category: Meeting Previews
Purdon recognised for leadership at Industry Excellence Awards
The Entain Industry Excellence Awards were held in Hamilton over the weekend, celebrating standout contributions across racing administration, training, welfare, and leadership. Designed to spotlight rising stars and behind-the-scenes achievers across all three codes, the awards are now in their second year. Harness racing trainer Nathan Purdon was recognised with the Leadership Excellence Award, honoured for the way he has embraced change and demonstrated strong leadership through a period of major transition. Following the sale of his Canterbury base, Purdon relocated north and has successfully rebuilt his operation in Auckland,…
News Briefs: July 2nd
Blair Orange hits 99 wins, McCormick does the double, Krug and Perfect Sting announcements, weanling sale success, Republican Party returns to work, and the latest Gavelhouse auction closes tonight. ORANGE ON CUSP OF CENTURY AT HALFWAY POINT Blair Orange heads into this week’s racing on 99 wins for the year, with the calendar ticking past the halfway mark on June 30. The seven-time premiership winner is on track to reach 200 wins in a season for the first time since 2021. He finished just shy of the mark last year,…
Six to watch: trial winners ready to step out
These 6 horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week they head back to the racetrack. Some Don’t (3f Sweet Lou – Some Do) Tr. D & J FergusonTidy enough on debut (24/6/25) when 4th behind Graphite at Cambridge when expected to go boldly after 2 workout wins on the same track during month of June. In the last of those 2 efforts, the Sweet Lou filly led & kept going strongly to hold out race rival in Amaretto Delight MR:2:02.2, 800m in 59.3, 400m in 29.4. Back at…
Dixon stunned at Captains Mistress snub
by Adam Hamilton Champion Queensland trainer Grant Dixon cannot believe star Kiwi filly Captains Mistress was overlooked for a start in Saturday night’s $300,000 Group 1 Rising Sun at Albion Park. Instead, her Kiwi trainer Nathan Williamson will come across her as a hot favourite from barrier in a consolation of the Rising Sun. “I’m more than surprised, I’m dumbfounded, to be honest,” Dixon said. “What more did she need to do? “Along with everything she’s done in NZ, she’s come across here (Brisbane) early and won both her races.…
Dixon stunned at Captains Mistress snub
by Adam Hamilton Champion Queensland trainer Grant Dixon cannot believe star Kiwi filly Captains Mistress was overlooked for a start in Saturday night’s $300,000 Group 1 Rising Sun at Albion Park. Instead, her Kiwi trainer Nathan Williamson will come across her as a hot favourite from barrier in a consolation of the Rising Sun. “I’m more than surprised, I’m dumbfounded, to be honest,” Dixon said. “What more did she need to do? “Along with everything she’s done in NZ, she’s come across here (Brisbane) early and won both her races.…
Update to Junior Driver Rating Concessions in Harness Racing New Zealand Regulations
Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) advises the industry of important amendments to the Harness Racing New Zealand Regulations – Conduct of Meetings, Programming, Handicapping and Rating Regulation, specifically relating to Clause 17: Junior Driver Rating Concessions. Correction to Clause 17.1 – Eligibility Threshold Increased Effective immediately, the wording of Clause 17.1 has been revised to correct the eligibility threshold for junior driver concessions. The original clause stated: “Race-winning 4YO and older horses driven by a junior driver that has driven up to and including 10 career wins at the commencement…
Update to Junior Driver Rating Concessions in Harness Racing New Zealand Regulations
Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) advises the industry of important amendments to the Harness Racing New Zealand Regulations – Conduct of Meetings, Programming, Handicapping and Rating Regulation, specifically relating to Clause 17: Junior Driver Rating Concessions. Correction to Clause 17.1 – Eligibility Threshold Increased Effective immediately, the wording of Clause 17.1 has been revised to correct the eligibility threshold for junior driver concessions. The original clause stated: “Race-winning 4YO and older horses driven by a junior driver that has driven up to and including 10 career wins at the commencement…
Kiwis fare well in Inter Dominion first night draws
by Adam Hamilton The barrier draws have given the Kiwi raiders their chance to make statements on Inter Dominion opening night at Albion Park on Saturday. The biggest winner was young trotting star Bet N Win, who snared the pole in the second of the two trotting heats. In contrast, his main danger and prepost favourite for the final, Arcee Phoenix, has drawn outside the front row (gate seven). Earlier, NZ’s other contender in the trotting series, old Oscar Bonavena, has drawn a back row trailing draw (gate nine) in…
Kiwis fare well in Inter Dominion first night draws
by Adam Hamilton The barrier draws have given the Kiwi raiders their chance to make statements on Inter Dominion opening night at Albion Park on Saturday. The biggest winner was young trotting star Bet N Win, who snared the pole in the second of the two trotting heats. In contrast, his main danger and prepost favourite for the final, Arcee Phoenix, has drawn outside the front row (gate seven). Earlier, NZ’s other contender in the trotting series, old Oscar Bonavena, has drawn a back row trailing draw (gate nine) in…