Category: Meeting Previews

Alta Meteor produces statement win at Addington

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Happy but not surprised was how co-trainer Amanda Telfer sums up one of the best training performances of her career. Because when Alta Meteor stomped past some very good horses on a soaked Addington home straight on Friday night, he was only showing Telfer what her team had been seeing at home. Telfer runs the southern barn of what is unofficially our premiership winning stable and their golden winter was probably capped by the win in the NZI Insurance National Handicap Pace.  Alta Meteor hadn’t raced since…

Pass mark for Akuta after third at Alexandra Park

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin It wasn’t perfect but it was the next best thing. Because while Akuta may not have won his comeback race at Alexandra Park on Friday he came out of the race with a big tick and trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon still came away with the win. That was courtesy of Treacherous Baby, the stablemate of the hot favourite in the $20,000 World’s Best Hoof Oil Pace, the 1700m centrepiece of the Alex Park meeting. Akuta was fresh up to the races after 20 months and what…

He’s No Romeo among Williamson’s best chances at Southern Surge 2

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner  Matthew Williamson is hoping to make up the difference on day two of the Southern Surge at Invercargill on Sunday.  Day one at Winton last week was a case of close but not quite close enough for the Oamaru trainer, who racked up plenty of top-five finishes with his team. With the move to Ascot Park and some key draw upgrades, Williamson is hopeful he can land some of the boosted winning stakes on offer during the series this week. Judging by his Winton effort He’s No…

New junior driver to make debut at Alexandra Park

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A new name will join the junior driving ranks in the north tonight. Holly Moralde Sands, who was judged the Most Promising Cadet at the latest North Island Harness Racing Awards, will drive Grace N Elegance in the NZ Trainers and Drivers Association North Island Handicap Trot at Alexandra Park.  Adding to the occasion, the 19-year-old also co-races the six-year-old mare. “I’m actually leasing that mare. It was Crystal’s idea (Hackett) to get me a horse that I could have for trial drives…

Akuta to take centre stage at Alexandra park tonight

NZHarnessNews

The return of Akuta after last racing in December 2023 will be of huge interest at Alexandra Park tonight. The millionaire pacer has had a long road back from a tendon injury ahead of his appearance in the World’s Best Hoof Oil – Here For The Horse Mobile Pace (7.51pm). Trackside presenter Brittany Graham and racing journalist Michael Guerin share their thoughts on the return of the former superstar, who’s a $1.35 favourite to resume on a winning note. A perfect kick off point for Akuta By Brittany Graham  New…

Nathan Williamson lines up four in Southern Surge

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner  Nathan Williamson’s tactics are going to have to be as flawless as Passchendaele’s record from his barn on day one of the Southern Surge at Winton today. A quiet winter for the trainer’s stable is set to heat up with the Southern Surge series luring four Williamson runners back to the races. Among them is Passchendaele, who has unleashed two outstanding performances in his only two starts for the trainer-driver. The four-year-old is arguably the best horse in the Diamond Creek/SBSR Southern Surge Series Mobile Pace (3.18pm)…

Thomas Borcoskie to debut with two drives at Addington on Sunday

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk There’ll be a new Borcoskie in the sulky at Addington on Sunday. Just 17, Thomas Borcoskie will make his race day debut when he drives two horses trained by his father Paul. Mount Thomas will be at big odds in Race 2, the Thank You , Bill and Helen Bishop and Canty Equine Trot (1.07pm), while Archer will be well-supported in Race 3, the Woodlands Stud Producing World-class Equine Athletes Pace (1.45pm). In Race 2 he will line up against some very familiar…

Addington to get Friday night Smackdown

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Trainer Steven Reid almost doesn’t want to use the big “J word” when assessing the chances of debutante filly Smackdown at Addington tonight. But as is always the case Reid can’t help but be honest and frank about the recent stunning trial winner. “When she was coming up earlier in the season I thought there wasn’t anything between her and Jumal,” says Reid. There it is. Reid has mentioned Smackdown in the same breath as Jumal (pictured above), the Diamond Creek Stakes winner in April who is…

Draw huge help for Hawkeye at Alexandra Park tonight

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Hot favourite Hawkeye Pierce could be forgiven for being a touch confused when he scores up from barrier 2 in the race of the night at Alexandra Park tonight. Because the four-year-old is far more used to bad draws and hard runs that what he faces in the Join TAB Racing Club Mobile over 1700m tonight (7.24pm). An impressive last-start winner when fresh up for trainers Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson, Hawkeye Pierce has been brave but often beaten, winning just three of his 16 starts. While…

HRNZ Statement: Actions in Response to Review Panel Findings

NZHarnessNews

Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) will adopt all 12 recommendations from the independent review into the 2YO Young Guns Trot Series Final, held at Alexandra Park on 10 May 2025. The review was conducted by an independent panel of experienced professionals with regulatory and industry expertise, following concerns raised about the eligibility criteria for the Series. These concerns were prompted after a horse that had not competed in a heat was permitted to start in the Final and went on to win the Final. HRNZ CEO Brad Steele says implementing…