NZ CUP/DOMINION HANDICAP RANKINGS First rankings for the two big features in New Zealand Cup were released by Harness Racing New Zealand this week. The $800,000 Christchurch Casino NZ Cup is to be run at Addington on November 13. A maximum of 15 horses can start in the Group One feature over 3200m. NZ CUP RANKINGS: Thefixer 1, Chicago Bull 2, Ultimate Machete 3, Tiger Tara 4, Dream About Me 5, Jack’s Legend 6, A G’s White Socks 7, Eamon Maguire 8, Cruz Bromac 9, Star Galleria 10, Captain Dolmio 11, Alta Orlando 12, Classie Brigade 13, No Doctor Needed …
NZ METRO TC-RANGIORA HRC, Sept. 7-9
NZ METRO TC, Friday, September 7 Race 3: IMMORTAL CHANGE (8, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2600m: “Racing good but is drawn bad and an each-way chance.” Race 8: MANINTHEMIRROR (5, Laura McKay) & ROBYN’S GEM (7, Sheree Tomlinson), UR, mob. 2600m: “Maninthemirror is racing ok but is up in grade so finding it hard.” “Robyn’s Gem has got to do things right but can upset.” RANGIORA HRC, Sunday, September 9 Race 7: ITZ MAJOR LOOK (3, Samantha Ottley), 2000m std: “First-starter with a lot to learn but has ability.”
NZ METRO TC-FORBURY TC, Aug 31-Sept 2
NZ METRO TC, Friday, August 31 Race 1: IMMORTAL CHANGE (4, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1980m: “No Luck last week but gets in suitable race to be an each-way chance.” Race 2: MOLLY DOOKER (13, Samantha Ottley), 2600m std: “Had no luck first-up and is drawn bad, so looking for luck.” Race 3: MANINTHEMIRROR (8, Laura McKay) & ROBYN’S GEM (9, Sheree Tomlinson), UR, mob. 1980m: “Maninthemirror is drawn bad so looking for luck.” “Robyn’s Gem will find it tough from the unruly and is up in grade but won’t disgrace herself if they run along and she does things right.” …
Regan Todd wins Crown
NZ HARNESS NEWS, August 26, 2018 REGAN TODD THE TOAST OF MELTON Acclaimed young North Canterbury trainer Regan Todd recorded his first Group 1 success when Show Gait was victorious at the Australasian Breeders Crown in Melbourne on Saturday night. Todd combined with master horseman Mark Purdon for the win, the latter doing the driving. “Words can’t really explain it,” said Todd soon after the win. “I’m pretty bloody rapt. “I’m never a ‘confidence’ person heading in to races but she seemed spot-on after the way she had trialed at Shepparton last week and worked since. “It’s been awesome over …
Robyn’s Gem earmarked for broodmare role
ROBYN’S GEM EARMARKED FOR BROODMARE CAREER Robyn’s Gem, who showed her true ability to deliver at her sixth start at Oamaru on Sunday, August 19, will try and find more wins before becoming a full time mum. Now six, the daughter of 2008 New Zealand Cup winner Changeover has proven a bit of a handful scoring up with the field at times, but was on her best behaviour at Oamaru. Driver Sheree Tomlinson bided her time back on the inner as the leaders kept the pace strong in the Twizel Combined Services Fillies And Mares Mobile Pace. Angled out wide …
NZ METRO TC, Thursday, August 23
NZ METRO TC, Thursday, August 23 Race 1: IMMORTAL CHANGE (4, Neil Munro) & JOEY MAGUIRE (9, Paul Wallace), mob. 1980m: “Good race for both horses but on current form and better draw I would lean towards Immortal Change.” Race 4: MANINTHEMIRROR (8, Laura McKay), mob. 1980m: “The draw makes it hard and step up in grade, so will need luck.” Race 9: SI SI SENOR (2, Samantha Ottley), UR, 2600m std: “Si Si Senor was disappointing last week so looking for improvement.”
Izzy Dagg sold to Tim Butt stable
IZZY DAGG SOLD TO RACE IN NEW SOUTH WALES Impressive last-to-first Addington, August 3, maiden winner Izzy Dagg has been sold out of the Mark Jones team to join the Tim Butt stable at Menangle. “It’s sad to see him go as he was going to turn into a lovely horse,” Mark said. The three-year-old A Rocknroll Dance colt had shaped well in five NZ starts for a large group of owners, namely Auric Limited (Pete Summerfield manager), Paul Summerfield, Mark Calcott, Dave Hunt, Gary McCormick, the horse’s namesake Israel Dagg, and wife Daisy, Randell Townsend, Matthew Lowe and Tony …
NZ Metro TC-Kurow HRC, August 17-19
NZ METRO TC, Friday, August 17 Race 5: IMMORTAL CHANGE (1, Laura McKay), mob. 1980m: “Better last week and drawn to follow markers but is in a higher rating race.” Race 6: SI SI SENOR (4, Samantha Ottley), 2, 10m, 2600m std: “Trialled better last week and conditions suit, so an each-way chance.” Race 10: ROBYN’S GEM (12, Sheree Tomlinson), mob. 2600m: “On ability is good enough to be a top-three chance but has to do things right.” KUROW HRC, Sunday, August 19 Race 2: MOLLY DOOKER (1, Samantha Ottley), 2600m std: “First starter, who qualified poor, but expect a better …
Robbie Close has first start as trainer
NZ HARNESS NEWS, August 15, 2018 CLOSE BRANCHES OUT INTO TRAINING Successful young driver Robbie Close will begin a new phase of his career in the harness racing industry this weekend when he lines up his first runner as a trainer. The former Australasian Junior Drivers championship winner will take Majestic Mannequin to Sunday’s Kurow meeting and slip a set of his own colours on for the first time. And while he’s hopeful more than he is confident, Close said it was a good time to get involved in the training side of the industry with the current incentives being …
Some Excusesomewhere wins in Queensland
SOME EXCUSESOMEWHERE ALL THE WAY Former Overport Lodge pacer Some Excusesomewhere was an impressive all-the-way winner at his Australian debut on Tuesday, August 14. The Somebeachsomewhere-Sarah’s Excuse gelding showed good gate speed from the ace for driver Pete McMullen, in the Mr Feelgood @ Egmont Park Stud Pace at Albion Park, Brisbane. Some Excusesomewhere, now trained by Chantal Turpin, never looked like being headed. He free-wheeled in front and drew clear to win by 6.8 metres in a 1:54.7 rate for the 1660m, with fellow NZ-bred, (Our) Chittybangbang, leading the chase. Some Excusesomewhere, from the same maternal family as two-time …