LAURA McKAY NOTCHES SECOND WIN Overport Lodge junior driver Laura McKay knows how to get the best out of a “Kowhai”- named trotter. She landed her first win with big trotter Kowhai Whiz at Rangiora last November, then repeated with “Whiz’s” half-brother, Kowhai Monarch at Addington on Thursday, September 15. Kowhai Monarch, well-placed as a C4 trotter in a C2-4 mobile 1950m trot, moved up parked beginning the final lap. Favourite Jayceekay (Blair Orange) swept to the lead at the 600m and ran clear turning for home, but Kowhai Monarch was well-rated by Laura, knuckling down when asked for a …
Master Lavros withdrawn from 2016 Dominion
MASTER LAVROS OFFICIALLY OUT OF DOMINION Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones has officially confirmed top squaregaiter Master Lavros won’t be ready for November’s Dominion Handicap. Mark withdrew the giant trotter this week, not wanting to rush his preparation for the Group One 3200m staying test, as the horse comes back from injury last term. Second withdrawals for the Dominion are due on Wednesday, October 12, at 3pm. The TAB futures market for the Dominion has Monbet, the reigning Harness Horse Of The Year, a hot $1.70 favourite. Emerging star Amaretto Sun is the $9.50 second favourite after his decisive win …
Stan Walker singing Cup day anthem
STAN WALKER TO SING NATIONAL ANTHEM ON NZ CUP DAY Addington Raceway is delighted to announce that Stan Walker will be singing the national anthem ‘A cappella style’ at Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup Day on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. It will be a powerful performance that is not to be missed! Stan Walker is excited to not only be a part of the most prestigious race day in New Zealand, that is one of the world’s biggest harness racing events, but to sing the national anthem for this time honoured event will be a first. Stan commented: “I’ve …
Smoke N Fire well placed in NSW
SMOKE N FIRE EXTENDS RECORD IN NEW SOUTH WALES Former Overport Lodge filly Smoke N Fire (4m Courage Under Fire-Smoke N Mirrors) notched her third win from four New South Wales starts at Bathurst on Sunday, September 11. Smoke N Fire, who won twice in NZ for the Mark Jones stable, led up from the two gate for trainer Ashlee Grives (nee Siejka) in the C1-2 Shannon Springs Pace and held in a 1:59.7 rate for the mobile 1720m. Still raced by Canterbury owners, Pete, Debbie and Pat Smith, Smoke N Fire had previously won back-to-back Bathurst races in late …
Minimal changes in NZ Cup/Dominion rankings
MINIMAL MOVEMENT IN NZ CUP, DOMINION RANKINGS September 6, 2016 The second round of Official Rankings has seen only minimal movement within both the Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup and Haras des Trotteurs Dominion. Within The Cup, Locharburn, after his automatic qualifying win in the Maurice Holmes Vase jumps to a mandatory No. 2. The only other change for The Cup was Franco Nelson edging ahead of Philadelphia Man to No. 9. The Dominion rankings saw several small changes. Kyvalley Blur’s win at Melton last week moved him to 12th. (Our) Overanova broke a track record at Albion Park last …
Rocker Band for Hannon Memorial
ROCKER BAND TO RESUME IN HANNON Two conditioning Rangiora runs have last season’s Harness Jewels 4YO Diamond winner Rocker Band on song to make her 5YO debut in the Group 3 $25,000 Hannon Memorial at Oamaru on Sunday, September 11. Rocker Band was restrained to the rear when resuming at the Rangiora trials on Wednesday August 24 and was only given a quiet outing first-up, making ground late. The daughter of Rocknroll Hanover and Mainland Banner returned to the Rangiora workouts on Wednesday, August 31, stepping up her preparation. She ran Lewy Risk, a newcomer to the Brent Borcoskie stable, to …
Alabar Super Series quick facts
ALABAR SUPER SERIES – QUICK FACTS Last week’s Alabar Super Series events, which have become a real feature on Addington Raceway’s calendar, was the 12th occasion these races have been conducted over the last four years. Designed to reward those horses and connections that support Addington Raceway on a regular basis, the success of these $23,500 events can be seen in the quality of the fields that contest them and a look at past results makes for interesting reading. Average tote win dividend is approximately $7.50. Largest win dividend was $36.30 when now course mile record holder Vice Chairman was …
New Overport owner enters the Nearea Franco line
‘NIKE’ & ‘NICAEA’ ENHANCE VALUE OF FILLY FOR NEW OWNER The outstanding career of NZ-bred mare Nike Franco was the catalyst for Gold Coast-based Mark Denyer to secure her Mach Three half-sister from the NZ Premier Yearling Sales in Christchurch six months ago. A new owner for Overport Lodge, Mr Denyer is primarily aligned to the Dean Braun stable in Australia, but two filly purchases from the NZ sales have remained with Burnham trainer Mark Jones for their early development. Nike Franco’s half-sister Naiya Franco was secured for $70,000. Dean Braun prepared Nike Franco for much of her illustrious Australian …
Monbet seventh trotter to take top honour
TOP TROTTER MONBET VOTED NZ HARNESS HORSE OF THE YEAR Brilliant squaregaiter Monbet has become only the seventh trotter to achieve NZ Harness Horse Of The Year honours. Monbet, winner of seven Group Ones in the 2015-16 season for Woodend trainers, Greg and Nina Hope, overshadowed brilliant 4YO pacer Have Faith In Me for the top honour, by 15 votes to 12. Monbet won 11 of 12 NZ starts during his 4YO season, taking his seasonal earnings to $387,521 with an easy end of season victory in the 4YO Jewels at Cambridge on June 4 in 1:56.6 (1609m). He follows …
HRNZ ratings system starts next week
RATINGS SYSTEM TO DEBUT ON AUGUST 4 Media Release Thursday July 28, 2016 Thursday August 4 will be the first meeting in the trial of a Ratings System in harness racing. Following a robust process that identified four critical areas that needed review, a Ratings system has been developed to trial in the hope to improve the position of harness racing and create a more fluid, competitive and vibrant racing environment in the North Island. The three-month trial was approved by the HRNZ Board in June following the development of the Ratings concept. Four key areas were identified where harness …