Category: Meeting Previews

By Jonny Turner  Dreams Are Free turned doubt into dominance when speeding back to winning form in Sunday’s Tuapeka Lodge Cup. The Nathan Williamson-trained and driven four-year-old has no shortage of fans built off his brilliant performances as a two and three-year-old. But even the most loyal of them would have been put to the test when the pin-up pacer made a hash of the start in the Ascot Park feature. Thankfully for his big group of supporters, Dreams Are Free was able to regain his composure without losing substantial…

By Michael Guerin There could be a race inside a race in the $60,000 NZB Airfreight Flying Stakes at Ashburton. The Group 2 is traditionally the most important lead-up to the IRT New Zealand Cup at Addington on November 11, although this season comes with the major side plot of which Australians will turn up to challenge the locals come Cup Day. Leap To Fame’s tilt at the Cup looks back on track after his win at Melton on Saturday night with his trainer Grant Dixon says he is likely…

By Jonny Turner Punters are banking on Macandrew Aviator ending a drought with victory in the Tuapeka Lodge Cup (4.56pm). The eight-year-old has been installed a $2.50 second favourite, behind Dreams Are Free ($1.90) for the Ascot Park feature after building strong form this spring. The pacer hasn’t been in the winner’s circle for over two years, though he has racked up plenty of placings in strong company in that time. Macandrew Aviator is among a strong book of drives for junior driver Hayden Douglas, who is full of hope…

By Michael Guerin Jason Teaz is aiming to end the harness racing season way better than he started it. Actually, the start wasn’t the problem for the Waikato trainer. It was the couple of months after the start that flattened him. Teaz is best known as a commentator but is making quite the name for himself as a trainer, with 15 horses in work and well on the way to his best season ever with Stone Cold bringing up win 13 for the term at Alexandra Park on Friday night.…

By Michael Guerin Winning stablemates rarely come from backgrounds as different as the double Phil Williamson trained at Addington early on Friday night. Because juvenile winner Becky’s Girl has been with Williamson since the day she was born while the Oamaru trainer still laughs about the fact he now trains former Aussie pacer He Aint Fakin, who also won as a trotter on Friday night. Williamson and wife Bev, who owns Becky’s Girl, started the meeting on a high as the two-year-old filly led throughout to win the $45,000 Macca…

By Jordyn Bublitz  Promising mare Aquila is on a roll, extending her winning streak to four at Cambridge Raceway last night and continuing a memorable run for young Pukekohe trainer Zev Meredith. Owned by Kenny Baynes, Aquila has become a flagbearer for Meredith’s small but growing team. She has now won six from 28.  Last night’s victory came in the World Drivers Champs Thanks Breckon Farms Mob Pace, after Kate Coppins produced a stellar drive.  From a wide draw, Coppins launched the mare early to cross and take up the…