Category: Punting

HRNZ is pleased to announce a revised schedule for Mares’ racing in the North Island next autumn. From March 6 to May 22,2026 there will be a suite of seven races for the mares at Alexandra Park and Cambridge,  with stakes worth more than $210,000. The biggest change is the $50,000 Magness Benrow Northern Mares Classic (Listed) which moves from New Year’s Eve to March 20, 2026. “After seasons of the Classic shifting dates and even being cancelled we are delighted to have a long-term solution locked in,” says New…

The Trustees of Stable to Stirrup have decided it’s time to close the paddock gate for the last time.  The Trust would like to thank everyone for their support over the last six years while we’ve supported the industry to get to a more robust, sustainable rehoming and life after racing environment.  To see the official release click here 

Specially-made merchandise for the up-coming World Driving Championship is now available for purchase. Ten drivers from all the globe, including our very own Blair Orange, will compete in 20 heats at Kaikoura, Addington, Cambridge and Winton in November. It will be the first time that this country has been the sole host of the event. The final heat (and the crowning of the world champion) will be held on racing’s biggest stage, IRT New Zealand Cup day at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. A range of merchandise has been…

Applications are now open for anyone wanting to get involved in Addington Raceway’s two Show Day slot races. The two $500,000 races – the Majestic Horsefloats LP The Ascent and the Hill, Lee and Scott The Velocity – will both be held on Friday, November 15. The process to find slot-holders for the two Listed races started last month with the 20 involved in last year’s races given the first option to get involved this year as well. “There’s been strong interest and great support from last year’s slot-holders,” says…

By Michael Guerin The early favourite for Friday night’s Allied Security Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington will miss the race. Alta Meteor would have been perfectly placed in the Group 3 after beating many of his race rivals off a 30m handicap when returning to racing at Addington 11 days ago. But co-trainer Steve Telfer says a minor issue will keep Alta Meteor from taking his place in this Friday’s automatic qualifier for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup, which has a maximum back mark of 10m. “He came through…

By Adam Hamilton  Old pacing marvel Max Delight could add to the powerhouse Aussie raid on this year’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup. Trainer David Aiken admits the race is a “bucket lister” and knows Max Delight could be his last chance to have a runner on the second Tuesday in November at Addington. Despite age, nine-year-old Max Delight is racing in career-best form. He equalled his PB with a blistering 1min48.8sec mile win at Menangle on Saturday night. Just a week earlier, he won in 1min48.9sec. Those are his…

By Jonny Turner  Korbyn Newman’s return to the winner’s circle at Oamaru on Sunday was a special moment for his entire family. Captain Cool shrugged off his mid-race work to score a highly impressive first-up win for the trainer, with Tim Williams in the sulky.  The three-year-old is raced by Newman’s uncle Mark and the estate of his late father Greg, who passed away in December of last year. Captain Cool was having his first start since then, and his outstanding victory delivered a moment for the Newman family to…

By Jonny Turner  Bar Louie’s talent isn’t in question as he approaches today’s Kurow Cup. The pacer’s sparkling winter form saw him installed a short-priced favourite for Sunday’s feature at Oamaru (3.14pm). Bar Louie will attempt to make it four-from-four this time in when starting from a 20m handicap for driver Tim Williams. While Williams knows Bar Louie is good enough to continue his unbeaten run in the South Island, he knows the Kurow Cup is a new challenge for the three-year-old. “He has been great this time in, but…

By Michael Guerin Zachary Butcher says there is a simple reason he is taking Mantra Blue to Alexandra Park tonight : he knows what is coming next. Butcher is the north’s leading reinsman these days but also trains a few horses headlined by the fast five-year-old mare who has won half of her 18 starts. Mantra Blue was originally going to trial rather than racing tonight but Butcher knows the Alexandra Park main pacing races are about to get a whole lot stronger and he wants to get out in…