METHVEN TC, Sunday, September 18 Race 3: ROCKNROLL NEVIN (9, Samantha Ottley), 2400m std: “Has been trialling ok and an each-way chance.” Race 4: AMMISADUQA (2, Samantha Ottley), 3000m std: “Went good at the Methven trials last weekend and looks my best chance for the day.” Race 6: NICAEA FRANCO (9, Craig Thornley), mob. 2300m: “Will need luck from the wide draw.” Race 8: PERISSA (7, Samantha Ottley), 2400m std: “Had to miss a race at Addington 10 days ago but goes good on the grass. Hasn’t had a stand start race for a while so will need to step.” …
Laura McKay notches 2nd win
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Master Lavros withdrawn from 2016 Dominion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 …
NZ METRO TC, Thursday, September 15
NZ METRO TC, Thursday, September 15 Race 4: RUTHLESS SUCCESS (7, Laura McKay), mob. 2600m: “Upset place with the right luck in an open race.” Race 9: KOWHAI MONARCH (9, Laura McKay), mob. 1950m: “Is in the right race and an each-way chance.” Race 10: ARDEN’S ENDEAVOUR (5, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1950m: “He’s a younger brother to Someardensomewhere and half-brother to Billy Jack having his first start. Has got a bit to learn but could place.”
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 …
NZ METRO TC-OAMARU HRC, Sept. 9-11
NZ METRO TC, Friday, September 9 Race 5: RUTHLESS SUCCESS (11, Laura McKay), mob. 1950m: “We’ve only had her a week but her work has been good and an upset place chance.” Race 8: PERISSA (6, Mark), mob. 2600m: “Sam’s on holiday this week, so I’ll drive her for the new owners. Hopefully I can find the front and run them along and be a place chance.” Race 10: ZENA MAC (6, Wayne Higgs), mob. 1950m: “In the right race and can place.” Outside drive Race 4: MAJOR OVERDRIVE (1), mob. 1950m: “Needs to improve.” OAMARU HRC, Sunday, September 11 …
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 …
NZ METRO TC, Friday, September 2
NZ METRO TC, Friday, September 2 Race 2: ZENA MAC (1, Wayne Higgs), mob. 1950m: “Has drawn well and racing ok so gets chance to place.” Race 3: NICAEA FRANCO (7, Craig Thornley), mob. 2600m: “Disappointing last start. Is of limited ability but her work has been alot better and we have put the blinds on this week.” Race 5: CROFT BAY (13, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1950m: “Racing super but has a tough draw over 1950m.” Race 6: KOWHAI MONARCH (4, Samantha Ottley), 2600m std: “Racing and trotting good but up against the best trotter around. If …