A slightly-delayed return for Keayang Zahara, changes to syndicates and stakes payments, and a Derby champion still winning seven years later all feature in this week’s News Briefs.
Skin issue delays trotter’s return
Boom Australian trotting mare Keayang Zahara’s racetrack return has been delayed by at least a week. But driver Jason Lee says the four-year-old, who created such a stir with three dominant Addington wins late last year, remained on target for the $100,000 Group 1 Macarthur Mile at Menangle on May 10.
“She’s had a bit of a skin issue and isn’t quite ready to go this week,” Lee said, “she’ll go to the Terang trials instead and we’ll look to race her next week .. I’d say it’s still very likely she’ll go to Sydney as planned.”
Keayang Zahara, who already boasts $664,330 in earnings, hasn’t raced since completing her NZ raid with a runaway win in the NZ Trotting Derby on December 6.
“She had a good break. She hasn’t grown much, but she’s filled out,” Lee said, “we’re really happy with where she’s at.”
Such is the excitement around Keayang Zahara, she is already a $2.50 favourite for the $500,000 Brisbane Inter Dominion Trotting Final on July 19 at Albion Park.
Changes to syndicates and stakes payments
Changes to the way syndicates can operate is being proposed by the Harness Racing New Zealand Board. Currently all ownership groups of more than 10 people are deemed to be a syndicate. HRNZ is now proposing that where a horse is owned by between two and 20 persons the horse can be registered in the owners’ names or as a syndicate and where there are 21 or more owners ownership is deemed to be a syndicate. The proposed amendment also changes the limit of the maximum number of persons in an as of right syndicate from 50 to 100. The syndicate can include another syndicate provided the total people does not exceed 100. A syndicate larger than 100 can proceed, with the approval of HRNZ’s Chief Executive.
The Board is also endorsing a change to the way stakes are paid out. The change will permit the payment of stakes for races programmed for $35,000 or less without waiting for the swab return from the racing laboratory and RIB (Racing Integrity Board). HRNZ proposes to pay all stakes for such races from the last race on the previous Sunday on the following Wednesday.
Clubs and other interested parties are now encouraged to provide feedback on both the syndicate and stakes changes, with the Board expected to make the Rule changes in early June.
To find out more click here
Houses and Oranges dominate premierships
From 399 starts this year, Michael House has 62 wins, 28 ahead of Steve and Amanda Telfer (34) to lead this year’s trainers premiership. Blair Orange, who was confirmed on Saturday night as the Kiwi representative at this year’s World Driving Championship in New Zealand in November, has 71 wins and is again at the top of the drivers’ premiership, 23 clear of Wilson House on 48. He is 15 wins clear in the junior drivers’ premiership from Harrison Orange (33).
What The Hill trifecta
What a result it was for Woodlands Stud stallion What The Hill in the Border Fencing Services Handicap Trot at Alexandra Park last Saturday. What’s Up The Hill had what was a rare trotting win for veteran trainer Ray Green (and Nathan Delany) while Hillbilly and Happy Hill were second and third. The well-bred son of former top age group trotter Escapee, What’s Up The Hill had two placings at Manawatu before his breakthrough victory, winning by a nose.
400 for Neal
Andrew Neal recorded his 400th training success when wife and training partner Lyn Neal piloted Two Francs to a win in the Wednesday Quiz Night At The Clubhouse Trot at Cambridge last Wednesday. Neal had 143 wins on his own account, starting with Captain Grattan in 1986, and has 257 in partnership with Lyn (2003 -). His biggest win was in the 2000 Auckland Cup with Flight South. He also drove the horse to win the Group 1 feature. As the rank outsider in a Cup field that included Yulestar, Holmes D G, Courage Under Fire and Happy Asset, Flight South was 14/14 in the betting and paid $108 to win.
Sheriff still in charge in USA
Winner of the New Zealand Derby way back in 2018, Sheriff is still winning races. A winner of seven from 18 in this country, Sheriff was exported in 2020. He is now an 11-year-old. He won his second race in 2025 and his 34th race overall when he won at Cumberland Raceway in Maine over the weekend. It also took the son of Bettor’s Delight past the half million mark in stakes earnings.
Latest news from Sires’ Stakes
The New Zealand Sires’ Stakes is looking forward to its Autumn Finals which will be “big on both quality and numbers”. Check out the NZSS’s latest newsletter here
May’s Metro Series
The next round of the highly popular Metro Series Heats and Finals will be held at Alexandra Park next month. The series has been a feature part of the Look North strategy launched last year to reinvigorate racing in the north. $20,000 Heats for both Trotters and Pacers will be held at Alexandra Park on May 9 and May 23 before the two $35,000 Finals on Friday, May 30. There will be more heats and finals during the winter months.
Board members for OnTrack
OnTrack, racing’s mental well-being programme, is seeking 2–3 Board Members. These are paid positions and the remuneration is $12K for Directors and $18K for the Chair. If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and Cover Letter to apply@amytea.co.nz before the closing date of 27 April 2025.
HRZ roadshow on “utilization” changes
HRNZ is hitting the road in late April-early May. It will host roadshows from Invercargill to Auckland to explain the latest initiatives by the Utilisation Reference Group (URG) that have been endorsed by the HRNZ Board.
The schedule for the Roadshows is :
Invercargill, 1 pm, Monday April 28 – Racecourse
Oamaru, 2pm, Tuesday April 29 – Racecourse, after the trials
Timaru, 11am, Wednesday 30 April – Racecourse
Ashburton, 2pm, Wednesday 30 April – Racecourse
Christchurch, 7pm, Monday May 5 – Blossom Lady Lounge, Addington
Pukekohe Training Centre, 7pm, Wednesday May 7thCambridge, 1pm, Wednesday May 7 – Cambridge Raceway
Zoom calls will be arranged for Seddon Shield trainers and Central North Island trainers. Date and times TBA. For more information contact john.mooney@hrnz.co.nz
