MASTER LAVROS WINS AT CUP TRIALS Master Lavros began swiftly and was untroubled to win at the NZ Cup trials on Wednesday, November 7. He soon led and drew clear to win untested in in 3:25.3 (2600m stand), picking up the tempo over his last 800m in 59s and his closing 400m in 29.6s. He has been ticking over nicely since gaining a penalty-free junior drivers win for Regan Todd at Rangiora on September 20. The big 4YO Sundon gelding is raced by Kyros Kotzikas, who enjoyed a stellar 1997 New Zealand Cup day winning the big race with Iraklis. …
Master Lavros ready for Cup day
MASTER LAVROS BY SIX LENGTHS IN TRIAL Promising squaregaiter Master Lavros would only need to step as swiftly as he did at the NZ Cup trials at Addington on Wednesday (November 7) to be very hard to beat on the big day on Tuesday. “That’s the only problem. When he begins like that, he normally doesn’t do it the next time,” said Mark. Master Lavros confirmed he is trained to the minute for the premier raceday by leaving his rivals in his wake by six lengths in the run home, with race rival Lucky Monarch next best, finishing on from …
Badjelly’s Courage scores in NSW
BADJELLYS COURAGE SCORES The Mark Jones Racing Stables notched their first NSW win with Badjellys Courage, who cleared out to win by 15.4 metres at the Bathurst twilight meeting on Wednesday, August 22. The Courage Under Fire-Badjelly The Wytch gelding was sent out a hot $1.50 favourite in the hands of Regan Todd and was untroubled to lead throughout to win in a comfortable 2:03.3 rate for the 1730m. He quickened over his last 800m in 60.9s and his final 400m in 29.6s to take out the $A5000 Shannon Springs Two-Year-Old Pace for his maiden victory. “The stable is going …
NZ Trot FFA change to 2000m
NZ TROTTING FFA REDUCED TO 2000m Addington Raceway and Events Centre and New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club officials have announced that the 2012 Group 1, $80,000 Seelite Windows & Doors NZ Trotting Free-For-All has a distance. It will now be run over the distance of 2000 metres from a Mobile Start on Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup Day on Tuesday, 13 November 2012. The race has previously been held over 2600 metres from a Mobile Start. “However, after receiving feedback from some leading trainers and industry participants and the fact that the 2011 event was devoid of …
HRNZ Media Bites, September 24
HRNZ MEDIA BITES, SEPTEMBER 24 Hi all, things are really starting to warm up now in harness racing circles. A whole lot of fresh, quality horses about to hit the tracks. No doubt the focus this week will be on Canterbury with the Avon City Ford Cup and the return of I Can Doosit it in the DG Jones Trotting Cup at Banks Peninsula on Sunday. Also, it’s great see Jamie Searle(@SearleJamie) on Twitter giving out all the fresh information out of Southland for both equine codes. For those not on Twitter its a great way to stay informed and …
Addington news, September 5
CUP DAY COUNTDOWN – ONLY 69 DAYS TO GO DRESS TO IMPRESS On Friday 28 September we are delighted to announce we will be hosting a luncheon in our Silks Lounge at Addington Raceway and Events Centre. This event will be the ultimate style guide to dressing for Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup Day, Tuesday 13 November 2012. Stephanie Rumble of Flair Image and Fraser Bremford from Working Style will guide the attendees through the latest Race Day trends, discuss Race Day outfits that will be modelled and provide some insight in to the Best Dressed Competition for 2012. …
Maurice Holmes Vase on Friday
Maurice Holmes Vase This Friday Night Friday night sees the running of the Group 3 $25,000 Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington Raceway. The Maurice Holmes Vase is the first of three races at Addington where the winner of each race is guaranteed a start in the Group 1 $600,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup on 13 November. The Group 3 Avon City Ford Cup and Group 3 Glenferrie Farm Canterbury Classic are the second and third legs of the treble scheduled to run on 28 September and 12 October respectively. Friday’s Maurice Holmes Vase has drawn a select field …
David Butcher for 2013 World series
DAVID BUTCHER TO REPRESENT NZ Harness Racing New Zealand Board Chairman, Gary Allen, has offered some kind words in support of the selection of David Butcher to represent NZ in the 2013 World Drivers Championship in France from June 7-15. “The Board selected David Butcher for the 2013 World Drivers Championship on the basis of his continued excellence as a driver over an extended period of time. It is our belief that he is well and truly worthy of this tremendous opportunity.” With 1,872 career wins and 34 Group 1 wins in New Zealand alone, David Butcher’s talent as a driver …
Princeton sold to WA interests
PRINCETON SOLD TO WEST AUSTRALIAN INTERESTS Last-start Rangiora winner Princeton is to do his future racing in West Australia. The Bettor’s Delight gelding is to join the stables of Greg and Skye Bond after being sold by former owners, Max, Frances and Lyndon Bowden. He raced 24 times for the Jones stable for four wins, seven placings, and $28,156 in stakes. Princeton provided co-owners Max and Frances Bowden with a change of luck when he regained winning form in the 2-wins Sefton Mobile Pace at Rangiora on Sunday, July 1. Max added the win was satisfying as the horse had …
Spin Doctor launches season
SPIN DOCTOR DELIVERS AT FORBURY Spin Doctor, who provided the Mark Jones stable with the first win of the new term at Forbury Park on Thursday, August 16, has the breeding and potential to develop further. He brought up 50 NZ wins for the progeny of his top-producing dam Janetta’s Pride (Gee Whiz II-Zola), who won three times herself when prepared in the early 1990s by the late Pat O’Reilly sen. Spin Doctor, who delivered easily despite losing a big stretch of ground early, is the eighth individual winner from nine to race for his dam. He is a …