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.…
Category: Punting
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…
32 more horses now eligible for Harness 5000
The momentum towards Ashburton’s first ever harness 5000 meeting is really starting to build. After the weekend’s racing, a total of 69 horses have now meet the eligibility criteria – an increase of 32 on last week. The biggest category is the 18 5YO Pacing Entires and Geldings who have qualified. The Harness 5000 at Ashburton on December 21 will feature 12 $60,000 finals for trotters and pacers whose sire stood for an advertised retail service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception. This year the…
Warren Rich hits 50
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk What a way to bring up your 50th driving success. Morrinsville trainer-driver Warren Rich achieved the milestone at Alexandra Park on Friday night on a trotter he also co-bred, co-owns and trains. Snowy’s Success was having his second career start and despite being second on debut still went out at double figure odds ($17.90). He is by Majestic Son out of Rise to Success, a two race winner. “I thought there were a couple better than us out there but on the night…
Broodmare gem delivers the goods at Southern Surge
By Jonny Turner There were differing fortunes for old friends Bruce Wallace and Phil Williamson on Southern Surge Finals Day. But both still managed to secure two of the major prizes on a big day of southern harness racing in Gore. Williamson and Wallace aren’t just friends, they’re connected by one of New Zealand’s greatest broodmares in Frances Jay Bee. In the 1990s, Wallace owned and trained the mare with Williamson doing the driving before he took over the training. Following her retirement, Wallace bred the mare on a turnabout…
Hi Life goes bang at Rangiora
By Mike Love Hi Life cruised into the winner’s circle at Rangiora yesterday, taking out the Barny’s All Trade Services pace over 2000m for Rangiora trainer Geoff Dunn. The four-year-old Sky Major mare had not raced since October 2024, and while Dunn was able to put the finishing touches on her preparation, he was quick to credit others for the win. “I’ve only had her for about six weeks. She was worked up by the owner Bruce Taylor, so she was ready to go when she got here,” Dunn said.…
Dewe delighted with Share A Dream ahead of Southern Surge at Gore today
By Jonny Turner Share A Dream can take his comeback story to another level with victory in one of Sunday’s Southern Surge Finals at Gore. It was only in March that the pacer’s chances of making it back to the track were up in the air. Share A Dream showed promise early in his career in Canterbury before spending around 14 months away from the races through injury. But during a whirlwind last couple of months, the five-year-old has raced through the grades under the care of trainer Tyler Dewe.…
Williamsons with big chances in Sunday’s Southern Surge finals at Gore
By Jonny Turner It should be straightforward for one of Phil Williamson’s rising stars, but not as easy for another in the finals of the Southern Surge. Southern harness racing’s newest series is set to finish with a bang with eight outstanding finals set down to be run at Gore on Sunday. The Williamson-trained Rangitata could claim the title of being New Zealand’s best handicapped horse when he starts in the first final of the Southern Surge. The three-year-old was a powerful winner of his first start in the first…
Sutherland with well-favoured pair at Rangiora
By Mike Love Rakaia trainer Stuart Sutherland takes two runners to the Rangiora meeting on Sunday, both of whom look each way chances. Sabi Sands ($4.40FF), in Race 2, the Barnsy’s All Trade Services Pace (1.10pm) over 2000m, is backing up from last Sunday’s debut effort at the Kurow meeting where he ran third. “He’s come through the run well. He’s eating up and seems a happy horse,” said Sutherland. The big four-year-old gelding by Sunshine Beach, who will be driven by Kimberley Butt, has had his fair share of…