By Adam Hamilton If former star mare Cyclone Kate was human, she would be one heck of a proud mum watching on. Her latest progeny Cyclone Rebel, a colt by Bettor’s Delight, made quite a splash winning his first start at staggeringly big odds at Alexandra Park last Friday week. He steps up quickly again to try and overcome an awful draw (gate 12) and win again in a heat of the Sires’ Stake series at the same track this week. Almost 5400 kilometres away and in a different country,…
Category: Punting
Two firsts for Moralde Sands at Cambridge tonight
By Jordyn Bublitz Northern reinswoman Holly Moralde Sands gets a special opportunity at Cambridge Raceway tonight, teaming up with Regal Girl in the Harness Hoedown Skyline Lounge 25th Sept Handicap Trot (6.29pm). The five-year-old daughter of What The Hill is trained by Moralde Sands’ employer Tony Herlihy and while she has had a handful of race-day drives so far, this will be her very first behind one from Herlihy’s team, and her first official drive at Cambridge. Until now, all four of her race day appearances have come aboard her…
Williamson confident with Always Be Batman’s chances at Winton today
By Jonny Turner Punters shouldn’t be alarmed if they see Matthew Williamson in an unfamiliar spot at Winton on Thursday. The reinsman will reunite with Always Be Batman who could sit well off the pace when he starts from barrier 12 in his first start following a brief freshener. Known as one of the best front-running drivers going around, it could be considered a bit odd to see Williamson well back on a warm favourite though if it does pan out that way there shouldn’t be cause for concern. “I…
Invitational Drivers race for Ashburton
Ashburton will take on an international feel at its November meeting. The “Emerging Talent” meeting to be held on the Thursday of IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup week (November 13) will feature a $20,000 Drivers Invitational race. It will be for 4YO Mares (R35-44) over 1700 metres. It will have a maximum field of 12 (and one ballot). Already dual New Zealand Cup-winning driver Cam Hart has signalled he’ll be there. It comes just two days after the New Zealand Cup where he is aiming for a record-equalling third consecutive…
Akuta moves up in latest IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup rankings
After his second win in Sunday’s Hannon Memorial, Akuta has climbed up three places in the latest IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup/ Renwick Farms Dominion Trot rankings. Both races, limited to 15 starters, will held at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. The Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained Akuta, who also won the 2022 Hannon, was 10th in the rankings before the weekend. He is now seventh. It was his second win this campaign after a long lay-off with a tendon injury. Dalton Shard and Renegade who finished second and fourth in the Group…
Cam Hart in form ahead of New Zealand Cup
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk As he vies for a record-equaling third IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup win with Swayzee, Cameron Hart is a man in form right now. The 26-year-old, who steered Swayzee to back to back wins in this country’s biggest race in 2023 and 2024, had a personal best six wins at Menangle in Sydney on Saturday night. “It’s pretty crazy,” he said after his record haul. “It’s a big thrill to get six and for three different trainers who have all been big supporters…
Merlin opens $2.35 favourite in Friday’s Spring Cup at Alexandra Park
By Michael Guerin The “frenemies” will be at it again in the IRT Spring Cup at Alexandra Park on Friday night but this time they will have a lot of stablemates for company. Defending champion Sooner The Bettor will have found memories of last season’s Spring Cup as he beat stablemate and constant travelling companion Merlin. This does not happen often. Usually Merlin is too fast for his perfectly-mannered mate, although Menangle is the one place Sooner The Bettor also seems to close the gap. They are back at it…
Go Jimmy Cassidy qualifies and Jimmy’s rapt
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk The legendary Jimmy Cassidy never does things by halves. So when the dual Melbourne Cup-winning jockey decided to get involved in his first standardbred he went all in. “I’ve always wanted one so decided to give it a crack,” Cassidy said from Sydney. Not only did he put his money where his mouth was but agreed to a suggestion by his “great mate” Graeme Rogerson that the colt be called “Go Jimmy Cassidy”. The two-year-old qualified at Cambridge Raceway last week. The…
Week 3 and Blue September’s taking it up a notch
Harness Racing New Zealand’s 2025 Blue September campaign is gearing up for its busiest week so far. The first Big Blue Drive (BBD) will take place all over the country from Thursday through to Sunday. It is all about encouraging people to donate to the cause and raise as much money as possible for prostate cancer research. Thursday will see dual meetings at Winton and Cambridge, with the latter hosting “Blokes’ Night”. Tickets are $70 and include food from the Burger Bistro menu, a drink on arrival and a variety…
Dominion contenders trialling across the Tasman tonight
By Adam Hamilton A key pointer to the Group 1 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot will play out in country Victoria tonight. Pre-post favourite and TAB Trot winner Arcee Phoenix will clash with Brisbane Inter Dominion heat winner and finalist Parisian Artiste in a trial. It will be the second time in the space of six days the pair have clashed at the trials. Parisian Artiste led throughout from a standing-start to beat a softly driven Arcee Phoenix at Melton last Tuesday. And they may even clash again at Menangle when…