By Michael Guerin The path to us finding out just how good Jumal really is starts at Addington tonight. And that could range from a very good early season juvenile to an actual superstar and genuine elite level pacer. The Steven Reid-trained colt resumes in the $14,000 Tabak Business Sales and Vivace 2YO Mobile Pace (7.28pm) tonight that bats far above its stake level, with stunning debut winner Zeus Lightning, four reps from Team Telfer and the Regan Todd-trained Stumblin In also engaged. So we might know a fair bit…
Category: Meeting Previews
Total of 75 nominations for IRT NZ Cup and Renwick Farms Dominion Trot
The big guns are coming. Nominations for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot closed at 3pm (NZT) today. There are a total of 34 nominations for the New Zealand Cup and 41 for the Dominion – both Group 1s will be held at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. Headlining the nominations for the Cup are the two gun Australians, Leap To Fame and two-time champion Swayzee while another feature of the final nominations are the four Lee-trained runners from Victoria including trotting superstar Keayang…
Siblings favoured in Winter Rewards Trot at Cambridge tonight
By Jordyn Bublitz Roydon Downey will launch a two-pronged attack in tonight’s IRT. Your Horse. Our Passion. Winter Rewards Handicap Trot (Race 5) at Cambridge Raceway, with siblings Sans Au Revoir and Santapazienza both stepping back in grade and looking well-placed to feature. Both trotters have been racing against strong opposition of late at Alexandra Park, and now get a chance to capitalise on slightly easier company in the $20,000 feature. Sans Au Revoir, a seasoned campaigner, brings experience and consistency to the table. Kate Coppins retains the drive after partnering…
Swayzee sizzles at Menangle trial
By Adam Hamilton Cam Hart admits there was some level of relief mixed in with excitement when dual IRT NZ Trotting Cup hero Swayzee brilliantly won a Menangle trial today. It was the mighty stayer’s first public outing since finishing fourth as favourite in the $1.25m Group 1 Nullarbor at Perth’s Gloucester Park on April 25. And it cemented a first-up tilt at next Saturday night’s $150,000 Group 1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle. “I drove him in work last week and told Jase (Grimson, trainer) he felt as good…
News Briefs : August 27
100 training wins for Jeremy Young, Terror To Love retiring from stallion duties, stunning sections from Menangle and a request for racing memorabilia all feature in this week’s News Briefs. 100 wins for Jeremy Young Jeremy Young recorded his 100th training success when Big Herb and driver Sailesh Abernethy combined to win the Woodlands Stud – Here for the Horse Mobile Pace at Alexandra Park on Friday night. The outsider in the seven horse field prevailed by a length, paying $13.90. It was Young’s ninth win this year. His first…
Williamson notches milestone win at Southern Surge
By Jonny Turner Brad Williamson made the inaugural Southern Surge Finals Day one to remember when driving his 500th winner in New Zealand. The Oamaru horseman completed the feat in his own colours when Aint No Angel produced a decisive victory. Williamson won’t find some of the biggest moments of his career among those 500 wins. That’s because he’s driven seven winners in Australia, including three at Group 1 level and one Group 2. “It took me a long time to crack the Group 1 thing but I got there…
Successful start for Southern Surge
The Southern Surge is set for an action replay in 2026. The brand new series featured $15,000 heats at Winton (August 3) and Invercargill (August 10) before eight $25,000 finals as part of Gore’s big meeting on Sunday. It’s been hailed as a significant success on a number of fronts. Such was the calibre of racing that there were six new track records witnessed by a good-sized crowd at Gore and from a betting perspective the three-meeting series attracted turnover of $2.185m – that’s more than double the total from…
HRNZ proposes new trans-Tasman Working Party
Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) has today called for the formation of a dedicated Harness Racing Australasia Pattern and Development Committee working party to better align Australia and New Zealand’s feature racing calendars and strengthen the sport’s international standing. The working party would include representatives from Harness Racing New Zealand, Harness Racing Australia, and state jurisdictions, where appropriate. The initiative, outlined in a recent formal communication to Harness Racing Australia, seeks to establish a collaborative platform for coordination of Group race programming, carnival timing, horse movement pathways, and international engagement.…
Change of plan for two-time NZ Cup champion Swayzee
By Adam Hamilton Dual IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Swayzee is poised to be a shock starter in Saturday week’s $150,000 Group 1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle. The powerhouse seven-year-old will trial at Menangle tomorrow (Wednesday) and if he pleases connections, they will run him first-up in the Len Smith. Swayzee hasn’t raced since finishing fourth in the $1.25mil Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park on April 25. His last run in a high-profile sprint race was a luckless fourth when held-up in traffic in the $1m Miracle…
Changes to HRNZ ownership processes
Harness Racing New Zealand is pleased to announce a change to the way it lists owners. From today, the maximum number of names has increased from 10 to 20. “Our IT department has put a lot of work into this,” says HRNZ’s Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden, “and it’s a big step towards getting owners the recognition they deserve.” “Getting more owners investing in our sport is one of our highest priorities.” Paperwork can still be completed manually for transfers of ownership up to and including 10 names…