The Independent Review into the Young Guns Trot Final is underway, with interviews starting today. The deadline for written submissions is tomorrow afternoon. They should be sent to : review@hrnz.co.nz The review is looking into the circumstances of the 2YO Young Guns Final Mobile Trot at Alexandra Park on May 10,2025. A final report is expected this month. To see the terms and reference for the Review click here
Category: Punting
Milestone win for Tony Barron at Addington
By Mike Love Aspirational Dream provided Tony Barron with his 400th training win in his own right yesterday when winning the Neumann & Sparks Families 40 Years Plus “Silk Road” Mobile Trot at Addington. The Royal Aspirations four-year-old was on the back up from Friday night where she ran sixth to Royal Del. Yesterday was a different story with driver John Morrison going straight to the top from barrier rise. From there she trotted the 1980m in commanding style, never out of second gear, winning by three lengths from runner…
Deadline looms for New Zealand’s richest age-group racing
The clock is ticking for June’s New Zealand Sires’ Stakes payments. “Breeders and owners looking to maximise the value of their bloodstock have until July 1 to stake their claim in New Zealand’s premier age-group racing,” says Sires’ Stakes Executive Martin Pierson. Foal nominations and yearling sustaining payments are now due for Series 43 and 44, along with key entries for the Nevele R Fillies Series, Caduceus Club Fillies Series, and 3YO sustaining payments. “Whether you’re prepping for the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales or retaining to race, there’s over $2.5…
Standing start no issue for Leap To Fame
By Adam Hamilton The standing start will be the least of the challenges to Leap To Fame’s New Zealand Cup hopes. Having just his second race from a stand, the Queensland champion stepped safely and quickly before making light work of a 30m handicap and winning easily at Albion Park last night. It was his first try from a stand since coming off 20m to win the Flashing Red at Albion Park a year ago. And it will likely be his last standing start race before tackling the iconic NZ…
Major Happy a major chance at Addington today
By Mike Love The first of what will be regular Sunday racing at Addington kicks off today in what promises to be true Canterbury winter conditions. The Diamond Racing stable is today’s sponsor and although they will not be represented by any runners today, John Dunn will take the reins behind nine runners on the card. He looks to have a range of chances that include Yosemite ($3.70FF) in Race 6 and Waihemo Hannah ($5.50FF) in Race 9. Perhaps another of Dunn’s better chances comes in Race 8, the Master…
Chilcott with race-to-race training double at Cambridge
By Jordyn Bublitz Local trainer Nicky Chilcott was quietly confident about her chances but still delighted to walk away with a double at Cambridge on Thursday night. She went race-to-race with Pukunui Beach, who was a $1.30 favourite on debut in the TFS Horse Transport Mobile Pace and then Alwaysbesecret in the Garrards Horse and Goud Mobile Pace. “I actually get scared going into race nights thinking I’ve got chances because that’s normally when you get your bum kicked,” she laughed. “But it was nice to think that I did…
Did You Compete on a Standardbred During the 2024–2025 ESNZ Season?
The inaugural HRNZ and ESNZ Standardbred Competition recognises and rewards the achievements of Standardbred horses competing in ESNZ disciplines. If you rode a Standardbred registered with ESNZ in competitions between 1 August 2024 and 31 May 2025 this is your opportunity to submit your season’s results and be in the running for the HRNZ & ESNZ Standardbred Competition. Results can be from Dressage, Show Jumping, Eventing, Competitive Trail Riding, or Para Equestrian or a combination. Points are allocated to the horse, not the rider. Prizes:1st – $500 | 2nd –…
Telfers fancy their chances at Alexandra Park tonight
By Michael Guerin Steve Telfer knows one of the hottest runs in New Zealand racing history has to end soon. But that may not be tonight. Telfer and his sister Amanda trained a staggering 18 winners harness racing winners in a 10-day space up to last Sunday, more winners than a lot of successful stables train in an entire season. It is possible an equine stable has put up similar numbers before, maybe on a circuit dominated by one trainer, but good luck trying to find it. The blitz saw…
The Lazarus Effect’s vying for four from four at Addington tonight
By Jonny Turner Rival camps have plenty to worry about ahead of The Lazarus Effect putting his unbeaten record on the line at Addington on Friday night. On exposed form, the pacer looks incredibly hard to beat in his attempt to make it four-from-four for trainer-driver Bob Butt in Race 1, the TAB 2nd and 3rd Bonus Cash Back Mobile Pace (5.05pm). He’s a $1.35 favourite. The Lazarus Effect was explosive in his return to racing at Winton late last month, charging to an easy victory in slick time against…
Shannon resigns as Entain boss
Entain’s New Zealand and Australia boss Dean Shannon is stepping down. He will depart the company by June 30 and will be replaced in the interim by former Tabcorp executive Andrew Vouris. Shannon says the decision to leave was to allow the business to enter a new phase, declaring “it was the right time for change.” In 2023, with Shannon at the helm, Entain began a 25 year strategic arrangement with the TAB to run its business in this country. Last year it added betcha to its portfolio. “We acknowledge…