Herbertson leads as Kiwi quartet chase in Young Drivers Champs
The 2025 Australasian Young Drivers Championship is heating up, with Victoria’s James Herbertson staking a dominant early claim as the competition leader heading into the final rounds.
Three heats were held at Albion Park on Tuesday night and another three last night, where all four of the New Zealand representatives recorded a placing: Carter has two second placings, and Sam, Wilson and Harrison have a third placing each.
But it’s Herbertson who’s set the benchmark, notching up three wins and a second across the first six heats to sit comfortably on top of the leaderboard ahead of NSW’s Jett Turnbull and Queensland’s Chloe Butler.
With four heats to come — three at Redcliffe on Friday night and the final on Inter Dominion night at Albion Park — the Kiwi team will be looking for a strong finish to chase down the leaders and secure a place on the podium.
Remaining heat times (NZT):
Friday – Redcliffe
Race 1: 7:52pm
Race 3: 8:50pm
Race 5: 10:00pm
Saturday – Albion Park (Inter Dominion Night)
Race 1: 7:00pm
Keep an eye on HRNZ for updates and results as the series wraps up this weekend.
Breakthrough night for Orange in Queensland
Photo Courtesy: The Creek Albion Park Facebook
It was a night to remember for Harrison Orange, who notched up a placing and a win during Wednesday’s meeting at Albion Park. It was his first race win on Australian soil.
The 19-year-old, representing New Zealand at the 2025 Australasian Young Drivers Championship, made his mark early in the night with a third-place finish in Heat 4 aboard NZ-bred Vinsanity.
But the highlight came later on the card when he guided Rock Hammer to victory for Queensland trainer Graham Dwyer, a pick-up drive that gave Orange his first ever win outside of New Zealand.
“Graham had said to me when he was in Auckland earlier this year with his trotter (Not As Promised) that if I ever came over, he’d give me a drive,” said Orange. “It worked out well that he had one in with a five-point claim, so he put me on. It was pretty cool to win it at Albion Park. Definitely a big thrill in my career.”
The win wasn’t part of the official AYDC heats, but that didn’t stop his fellow competitors from celebrating the milestone when they all joined the post-race celebrations -and winners photo – in a brilliant show of trans-Tasman camaraderie.
Milestone moments for Ranger and Beecroft
It was a weekend to remember for two harness racing participants, with Monika Ranger notching up career win 50 and Alan Beecroft training his first winner.
Ranger hit the half-century aboard Mantra Blue at Alexandra Park, a fitting milestone given the mare is trained by Zachary Butcher and owned by Lynette Philpott, the same team behind Ranger’s very first win on Call Me Trouble back in 2022. Monika works with Zachary at Lincoln Farms for Ray Green and Nathan Delaney.
Meanwhile, Beecroft broke through as a trainer when Royal Deirdre scored at Addington. The long-time industry worker is currently based with Fred Fletcher and has also worked for Barry Purdon, Dean Taylor, Brian O’Meara, and others. After nearly a decade away from the game, he returned to training in pursuit of one goal: a winner. “Bloody exciting,” was how he described the moment to Nigel Armstrong on Harness Racing Unhinged.
Winter Rewards Race Day at Winton
The final race meeting of the season for the 2024/2025 season in the Southern Harness region takes place at Central Southland Raceway in Winton on Thursday – 17 July.
The day will feature six Winter Rewards races which helps bring good fields together during the winter months with a stake for each of $25,000.
Racing commences at 11.45am and entry is free.
Lindsay Beer
Promotions Officer
Southern Harness Racing
021 351 499
U S Captain joins Wai Eyre and Macca Lodge roster
waieyrefarm.co.nz | maccalodge.com
Wai Eyre Farm and Macca Lodge have announced the arrival of U S Captain for the 2025 breeding season. The son of Captaintreacherous and world champion race mare American Jewel brings elite credentials, including 22 wins, 16 sub-1:50 miles and a lifetime mark of 1:49.
Now 100% New Zealand-owned, U S Captain will stand for $3,000 + GST, with working fees included for mares bred on-farm. He is Harness 5000 and Next Gen eligible, and is expected to be a strong match for Bettor’s Delight mares.
Dancingonmoonlight reveals 2025 stallion line-up
dancingonmoonlight.co.nz/stallions
Dancingonmoonlight Farm has confirmed four stallions for the 2025 breeding season, combining 17 Group One wins and more than $9.5 million in career earnings.
Pacing sires include Bettor’s Wish ($8,500 + GST), whose debut Australasian crop has impressed with multiple juvenile winners, and Tattoo Artist ($5,000 + GST), a 40-race winner and Group 1 performer. Both are eligible for Harness 5000 and Next Gen.
Gimpanzee and Tactical Landing (both P.O.A) lead the trotting division, bringing elite North American credentials. Gimpanzee is a Hall of Famer with three Breeders Crown titles, while Tactical Landing is already a back-to-back Hambletonian sire.
All stallions are available via frozen semen with limited bookings.
Nevele R confirms 2025–26 roster and breeding incentives
Nevele R Stud has unveiled its stallion roster for 2025–26, along with several on-farm incentives and fee reductions aimed at supporting breeders.
Captain Crunch, Pebble Beach, and Vincent return as pacing sires, while the trotting roster includes Tactical Approach, Father Patrick, Creatine and Marcoola. Creatine and Father Patrick continue to leave Group performers, while Marcoola’s early crops include standout three-year-old Rogue Hero.
Multiple mare discounts apply across Creatine and Marcoola, along with incentives such as free float hire, reduced vet packages and free grazing for eligible mares bred to Nevele R-owned or managed stallions.
Woodlands confirms 2025–26 stallion roster
Woodlands Stud has confirmed its 2025–26 stallion line-up, with six pacing sires and one trotter standing at the Auckland farm, and American Ideal available via frozen semen.
Bettor’s Delight remains at the helm, standing for an unchanged fee of $25,000 + GST. He is joined by Sweet Lou ($11,250 + GST), Downbytheseaside ($10,000 + GST) and Lather Up ($4,000 + GST), all of whom continue to deliver success on the track and in the sales ring.
Speeding Spur ($1,000 + GST) returns as the trotting option after becoming a siring winner, while American Ideal ($9,000 + GST, frozen) remains available to NZ breeders in limited supply.
Woodlands has also confirmed that What The Hill will not return this season following reduced bookings last year.