A great weekend for turnovers, a permanent change at Addington, a tonne of horse feed and Dex hitting $6m all feature in this week’s News Briefs.
Turnovers up across the board
Harness racing turnovers had a sharp upturn over the weekend, with $2.36m spread over the Addington, Auckland and Oamaru meetings. The total was over $200,000 or 12.4 per cent up on the corresponding meetings last year. On Friday night Addington totalled $917.4k, up 10.2%, on the same number of races while Auckland’s was $582.5k, up 18.5%. The Kurow Trotting Club’s meeting at Oamaru was up over 10 per cent at $860,000. Last Thursday Cambridge also did well with their six race meeting, with turnover of over $360,000.
Permanent change to standing start at Addington
The change to the starting stand limits at Addington Raceway has now become permanent. In a bid to reduce crowding at the 2600 metre starting point a trial was held with the front line limit reduced from 10 to nine horses from June 1. Now after feedback from key stake-holders it’s been agreed that the change will continue as it has improved start quality and reduced crowding. The front line limit at the 2600m start will remain at nine horses, with a maximum field size of 15 horses from one handicap mark. The overall field limit of 16 horses (from multiple handicap marks) remains unchanged.
Franco Marek favourite for Maurice Holmes
Franco Marek has opened a $2.50 favourite for Friday’s Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington. The race is an automatic qualifier for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington on Tuesday, November 11. Mo’unga is the second favourite at $3.70 with American Me at $6.50. Race 8 is set to go at 8.14pm. Further north there’ll also be a lot of interest as Akuta makes his second appearance this campaign at Alexandra Park at 8.57pm. The night’s feature trot at Addington is the Basil Dean Free For All where Muscle Mountain is the top pick at $2.45. The race is due to go at 9.07pm.
Bonus feed for winning trainer
Dunstan Horsefeeds has come up with a special way to mark its continued sponsorship of the prestigious Dunstan Horsefeeds Sires’ Stakes 2YO Fillies Series – the winning trainer will get one tonne of horse feed. The Fillies Series features four heats at Alexandra Park, Addington and Ashburton before the big final at Addington on Show Day. Dunstan has sponsored the series for six years. “We wanted to provide something meaningful to the winning trainer – a one tonne Dunstan Custom Blend is a way for us to directly contribute to the ongoing success of the stable and to continue giving back to an industry that has long supported Dunstan,” says Dunstan Horsefeeds founder David Smith.
To see the Sires’ Stakes’ latest newsletter click here
Rakero Rebel to be a mum
Multiple Group winner Rakero Rebel is heading to the broodmare paddock. The Rock N Roll Heaven six-year-old has been officially retired from racing after winning 16 races including the Group 1 Queen of the Pacific across the Tasman. Bred by Dancingonmoonlight in North Canterbury, she had one win in this country before heading to Australia in 2022. Trained by Jess Tubbs, her last race was an 11th in last month’s Inter Dominion final won by Leap To Fame.
Dex is $6m man
Champion Kiwi driver Dexter Dunn has passed $6m in stakes earnings this year after another very successful week in North America. He is fourth over all in terms of stakes earners behind Jason Bartlett ($9m), Yannick Gingras and Daniel Noble. Dunn’s weekend included two big wins at Pennsylvania. He drove Super Chapter who became the first 3YO trotter to win on a 5/8 mile track in 1:50 and then piloted 3YO pacer Miki and Minnie to defeat Canada’s 2024 Horse of the Year Chantilly. It was Miki and Minnie’s 14th win and her ninth in her last 10 starts.
New Breeders app
The NZ Standardbred Breeders Association is developing a custom members-only app. According to the NZSBA it’s “a breeding, racing, and member benefits hub, right in the palm of your hand.” The app will have news and newsletters, breeding information and foal alerts, event listings , exclusive content as well as a platform to buy, sell and lease breeding stock.
Just over a week to go for Agri Futures Scholarships
Applications are now open for the Agri Futures Scholarships, helping young Kiwis from rural backgrounds kickstart careers in agriculture and rural sports. This year, up to 14 scholarships will be awarded, up from nine last year. Applications close at 5pm on Friday, August 29 with successful applicants notified on Tuesday September 30. More about the scholarship programme, including the application link, is available at: www.agrifutures.kiwi/scholarships.
Club News : Banks Peninsula Trotting Club
The Banks Peninsula Trotting Club is looking fora club secretary/events and marketing co-ordinator. Applications close this Friday so get in quick.
