HRNZ MEDIA BITES, February 19, 2012 Inter Dominion Grand Final Field Found: After the Australasian-wide heats Terror To Love, Lincoln Royal (Sir Lincoln), Excel Stride, Pub Blitz, Chariot King, Caribbean Blaster, Keeyang Cullen, Jaccka Clive, Mah Sish, Mach Alert, I’m Themightyquinn, Mysta Magical Mach, Washakie (1st Wild Card), Dasher VC (2nd Wild Card). Since that field was announced Dasher VC’s connections have pulled the pin (lame in a fetlock), allowing Bitobliss into the race. An interesting side note of the Inter Dominion heats on Saturday night we have unconfirmed reports that the turnovers on the five heats fell short …
Clubs to receive $1.4 million
CLUBS GET ADDITIONAL $1.4 MILLION Media Release15 February 2013 In welcome news for the harness racing industry, the Board of HRNZ has approved an additional distribution of $1.436 million to clubs. This represents an increase of almost 5% of the annual funding extended to clubs. In announcing this decision, HRNZ Chairman, Gary Allen stated: “Owners will be the key beneficiaries of this decision as this will result in increased returns to industry stakeholders over the next 12 months.” This exciting news follows the New Zealand Racing Board’s (NZRB) recent welcome announcement of an increase …
Jewels now has 5YO categories
HARNESS JEWELS ADD 5YO RACES The HRNZ Board has reviewed the current structure of the Harness Jewels. The key issue considered was the change previously agreed to for 2013 of extending the four year old (4YO) division to include five year olds (5YO). In an exciting change, the Board has resolved that for the 2013 Harness Jewels, three new Listed races will be introduced: • 5YO Emerald for pacing entires and geldings – stake $150,000 • 5YO Diamond for pacing mares – stake $150,000 • 5YO Ruby for trotters – stake $100,000 The …
Mark wins 2nd Yearling Sales race
MARK NOTCHES 2ND SALES RACE WIN Former world champion driver Mark Jones notched the second biggest win of his driving career with Classiesistar in the $225,000 PGG Wrightson Yearling Sales 3YO Open Pace at Auckland on New Year’s eve, 2012. He had no hestitation putting Classiesistar up with the best he’d driven after he cleared out to win Monday’s 3YO feature by a big margin. Mark’s biggest win came in an earlier PGG Wrightson Yearlng Sales Open Pace, a 2YO version 4 1/2 years earlier with the Doug Gale-trained Five Star Anvil when the stake was a whopping …
HRNZ Media Bites, Feb 11, 2012
HRNZ MEDIA BITES, FEBRUARY 11, 2012 Jack Smolenski’s passing: Harness racing lost one of the true legends of the sport late last week. Jack Smolenski, aged 78, died peacefully. Jack was a legend of NZ harness racing of course. A man before his time in many respects. A great horsemen and gentleman of the sport. He did plenty for harness racing away from his work as a trainer/driver. We’ll be paying tribute to Jack Smolenski and his life’s work later on in the week in the Harness Weekly & on hrnz.co.nz. There will no doubt be a huge …
HRNZ Media Bites, Feb. 5, 2012
HRNZ MEDIA BITES, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 Late bloomer dominant in Hunter Cup: Interesting to see that last week’s Hunter Cup winner Mah Sish did not start racing until he was a four-year-old. In that time he was developed by Dean Taylor, enjoyed good early success before being sold to his current owners for a big-ticket price. In his Australian campaign alone this season Mah Sish has banked an approximate NZ$525k. (Mister) Zion story of the week: Kiwi export (Mister) Zion truly won the hearts of many race fans last week when he beat Dr Hook in the Australasian Trotting Championship …
The Lutts wins $7500 bonus
THE LUTTS HAS WEEK OFF AFTER TAKING MET MULTIPLIER Busy pacer The Lutts scored a well-earned week off after being the big winner, despite finishing last, in the opener on premier night at Addington, February 1. Burnham trainer Mark Jones says The Lutts has earned a bit of “R & R” after clocking up his 15th Addington start since September (the magical number to claim the bonus) and his 20th start for the season. “It was good to support the Metropolitan Club after they put the money up for the bonuses.” “He couldn’t go with them on Friday but …
Master Lavros Auckland Dec. wrap
BEATEN BUT NOT DISGRACED A rise in the handicaps finally caught up with Master Lavros on New Year’s Eve, but the big Sundon gelding went down fighting to arch rival Stent. Rival co-trainer and driver Colin De Filippi made the most of his 10m start with Stent over Master Lavros in the 3-wins and faster IRT 40 Years Flying Horses Handicap Trot. He sent Stent to the front mid-race, with Master Lavros improving with cover in the running line over the last lap. In the run home Stent always held the advantage and inside running, but Master Lavros rallied …
Ohoka Texas syndicated
OHOKA TEXAS SYNDICATED Fast class pacer Ohoka Texas has changed hands and after racing in NZ until the end of January, will then look for opportunities in Australia. Ohoka Texas has been syndicated by Australian-based former Christchurch racing enthusiast Phil McHerron, after a proposed sale to North America fell through. The 5YO Christian Cullen-Millwood Touche entire will continue to race from the Mark Jones stable until his departure. Mr McHerron, who relocated to Benowa on Queensland’s Gold Coast in April, returned to Christchurch to finalise the purchase of Ohoka Texas for a syndicate of 10. He has raced horses over the …
HRNZ Media bites, Jan. 23, 2012
HRNZ MEDIA BITES, JANUARY 23, 2012 Kiwi onslaught about to get real in Oz: Some big names are already in Australia to compete for their riches but in the last week or so they’ve been joined by reinforcements. The first focus for ‘team kiwi’ is the Ballarat Cup and Victorian Derby heats this week. We have five horses battling to gain starts in the $200,000 Derby on 2 Feb at Melton. They are Ohoka Punter, Arden Rooney, Bit Of A Legend, Cyamach and Three Pints. The Victoria Derby heats will be run at 10.30, 11.02 and 11.30pm on Saturday …