JEWELS TO INCLUDE COMBINED 4 & 5 YEAR OLD CATEGORY At its meeting on 1 June, the HRNZ Board undertook a review of the Harness Jewels. In six years this has become an integral part and highlight of the harness racing season. For 2013, the conditions of the Harness Jewels will remain unchanged with one major exception. The 2013 Harness Jewels will be run at Ashburton Raceway on Saturday, 1 June. Current stakes levels of $150,000 for pacers and $100,000 for trotters will be retained, with nine races over a mile and 12 starters in each race. …
Jim Wakefield recognised in QB honours
FORMER HRNZ CHAIRMAN RECOGNISED HRNZ is delighted by the recognition of former HRNZ Chairman, Mr Jim Wakefield in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Mr Wakefield was awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his services to harness racing. Jim Wakefield represented the NZ Trotting Owners Association on HRNZ’s Executive from 2000 to 2010, being Chairman from 2000 to 2003. During this time Jim played a key role in promoting a number of changes, in particular the development of the Racing Act 2003 on which the current industry is structured. From …
Driving fees have $5 increase
HRNZ APPROVES INCREASE TO DRIVING FEES At its meeting on 1 June, 2012, the HRNZ Board gave consideration to a submission from the NZ Harness Racing Trainers & Drivers Association seeking an increase to the current driving fees. While cognisant of the increased costs facing owners and the decline in stake levels over the last three seasons, the Board believe a small increase is warranted. The Board noted that the current level of $65 (excl GST) has remain unchanged since August 2008 and in that time drivers would have faced increased costs, in particular from …
Grappa wins for syndicate owners
GRAPPA GIVES RUGBY STARS A BUZZ Several Crusaders rugby stars enjoyed an Addington harness racing success when maiden pacer Grappa won the Christchurch Casino Pace for the Mark Jones stable on Thursday, May 31, 2012. Stable supporter Stu Bailey set up the Crusaders On Syndicate, which includes Mr Bailey, flatmate Zac Guildford, Tom Marshall, Andy Ellis, Wyatt Crockett, Brent Ward and Tom Donnelly. Zac Guildford and Brent Ward earlier raced Saskia Finn for two wins from the Jones stable. Grappa, a 5YO Tinted Cloud gelding, was leased last month to race from the Jones team for the Crusaders On …
Forbury double adds to winning week
FORBURY DOUBLE ON THURSDAY The Burnham stable of Mark Jones notched their third and fourth wins inside the last six days at Forbury on Thurday night, May 24. The former world champion reinsman hasn’t driven any of them _ preferring to enlist some of his peers instead _ as he focuses primarily on the training side of his operation for a time. The stable advanced to 45 wins and $336,159 in earnings for the season when Alex and Superior Desire won the final two races at Forbury. Last weekend, Holme Fire (Addington), in the hands of Blair Orange, …
OK Courage wins Menangle debut
OK COURAGE TOO GOOD IN FFA OK Courage had a great introduction to racing at Menangle with a easy win first-up across the Tasman in a $A5500 free-for-all on Tuesday, May 22. The former Mark Jones-trained pacer ended up trailing on the outer for driver Ashlee Siejka in the mobile 2300m For My Boys Archie and Ethan Pace. Ok Courage was untroubled to wear down front-running Im Fulla Luck (ex Michelle wallis-trained) to win going away in a 1:58.1 mile rate, the leaders picking up the speed over their last 800m in 55.3s and closing 400m in 27.2s. Also …
Jewels draw live, HRNZ website, Friday
HARNESS JEWELS NEWS, MAY 22 LIVE BARRIER DRAW HRNZ is conducting the 2012 Harness Jewels Barrier Draw live on the Internet from 12 noon on Friday, May 25. Sponsored by trotting stallion “The Pres”, the barrier draw will run for approximately 45 minutes. All nine races will be drawn live, with comments from experts and affected owners, between draws. This live, online venture is a new one for HRNZ. It may pave the way for more, similar presentations in the future. Visit www.hrnz.co.nz from 12.00pm this Friday for the live coverage. TIMELINEWITHDRAWALS CLOSE: Friday 25 May 2012 at 12noonBARRIER DRAW: …
Princeton delivers, Rangiora, April 29
PRINCETON DELIVERS RANGIORA WIN The Mark Jones stable moved to just under $300,000 in winnings for the season from 39 wins when Princeton delivered for his supporters at Rangiora on Sunday, April 29. Given a good run in behind the leaders, the 4YO Bettor’s Delight-Emcil gelding stormed home when in the clear for Mark to win going away by three-quarters of a length. The effort capped a solid but luckless form-line in his latest racing. Princeton paced the 2000m (stand) in 2:36.2, the leaders quickening over their last 800m in 57.6s and final 400m in a sizzling 26.6s. He was …
Texas wins workout, March 17
RANGIORA WORKOUTS, March 17 Ohoka Texas resumed with an improver’s third at the Rangiora workouts on Saturday, March 17. The Christian Cullen entire was sent to the front with 1250m to run in the 3-wins and faster mobile 2000m pace by Burnham trainer-driver Mark Jones. He was narrowly over-shadowed on the line by capable mare Together Again, three back over the last lap, and fellow Superstar hopeful River Black (parked), the winner pacing the mobile 2000m in 2:29.6 (2:00.3 mile rate). Ohoka Texas quickened the tempo over the final lap, sharpening over the leaders last 800m in 56.3s and …
OK Courage in Sydney
OK COURAGE LEAVES FOR SYDNEY OK Courage, who wound up his NZ career at Forbury on April 5, was one of seven either sold, or to be exported, from the Mark Jones stable in either March or early April. “OK Courage is off to join Ashlee Seijka in Sydney after Forbury,” Mark said. OK Courage has been well placed in NZ, starting 40 times for 12 wins (six penalty-free), 11 placings and $104,389, for Queensland owner Greg Brodie.He should have better opportunities in New South Wales. Buzz Courage (3g Courage Under Fire-Honey Franco), another Brodie-owned pacer, who won a …