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Te Akau 3yo on track for 2000 Guineas path
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Humbucker returns to racing at Gore
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Pony racing set to light up Moonee Valley
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The Invitation
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Vale Betty Lane
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Muscle Mountain looking for boost
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Geelong Cup draws strong field of stayers
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Thornley ready for big day at Ashburton
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Sight Success triumphs in Group 2 Premier Bowl
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Hazer making dreams come true
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Palmetto enjoys further Sydney feature success
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Golden Eagle a chance for Peace Officer
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Brightside ready for Cox Plate
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Imperatriz flying ahead of Manikato
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Blueblood impresses on debut at Trentham
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Kana turns luck around with deserved win
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Nest Egg on track for New Zealand Cup
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My Prediction for the Future of Harness Racing in New Zealand It’s becoming increasingly clear that harness racing in New Zealand is heading for a serious crisis—one driven not by a lack of passion within the industry, but by poor leadership, financial mismanagement, and strategic failures at the top. At the centre of this downward spiral is John Mooney. His reckless spending and apparent disregard for fiscal responsibility are putting our industry at serious risk. It’s baffling how someone with such questionable personal financial history was entrusted with oversight of our industry’s money in the first place. His mismanagement is evident in the race date allocations, where races are created in direct competition for the same small pool of horses. This not only splits fields but drains financial resources—losing the industry money instead of generating it. Communication with clubs has broken down, leading to infighting rather than collaboration. The lack of transparency and consultation from those in charge only deepens division and alienation. This is not how a national sporting code survives—let alone thrives. While the introduction of geo-blocking may offer a temporary fix, the real reckoning comes when the Entain funding deal ends. Our turnover figures are already falling short of what’s needed to sustain current stake levels. When that guaranteed money dries up in a few years, and we’re left exposed, those responsible—Mooney and Brad Steele—will likely walk away, leaving the damage behind for others to clean up. We’re also wasting time and money fantasizing about training centres, at a time when we’re losing trainers and horses. The focus should be on retaining and supporting what we have—not building infrastructure for a future that may never come under the current direction. Auckland Trotting Club is another financial sinkhole. Despite receiving disproportionate industry funding, it continues to produce small fields, low GBRs (gross betting revenue), and poor attendance. The decision to sell Pukekohe—yet still be in financial turmoil—makes no sense. Auckland is losing its training base, which will reduce horse and trainer numbers even further. Alexandra Park is a logistically difficult venue for many, and it’s not serving the wider industry. The only sustainable path for Auckland is bold: sell Alexandra Park, retain Pukekohe, and invest in a world-class training and racing complex, similar to Menangle in NSW. With the right structure, Auckland could then re-emerge as a vibrant centre with strong prize money, improved horse numbers, and renewed interest from owners and trainers. Meanwhile, the proposed handicapping changes—also driven by Mooney—threaten to destroy the bread-and-butter racing that actually generates revenue. Overemphasis on high-end age group races may look glamorous on paper, but it risks alienating the core participants who race week in and week out. It’s the country meetings in Canterbury and Southland that keep the engine running—alongside major days like Cup Week. Harness racing in New Zealand is a television sport, and that model only works if you have full fields, competitive betting, and regular racing. In summary, if we don’t act decisively now—by stopping the flawed handicapping changes, completely reworking our major race dates, developing logical and aligned carnivals, placing the right people in charge of the industry’s money, and getting clubs working collaboratively—the sport will not survive in its current form. We are on the edge of the cliff Mark Jones -
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Well they drove the 3 Telfer runners with a bit of strategy in the Race 5 Final, the best they could , but the Leader Won. somehow Abernathy got away with a 34.4 quarter . I have never seen Metro class horses going so slow. they were crawling 1400m round to the bell . Dickie had to go forward with Iron Brigade (backed 3-1 into 2-1 here ) as had no choice at that stage. perhaps the ''3rd string Telfer' horse should of just got stuck into the leader harder at the half mile ? The Pole Draw 3rd Telfer runner nearly won it anyway .narrow Half head 2nd up the passing lane. -
The money was on again alright . Here SLOTS was $3.80 in to $2.20 when the plunge came. He came up a head short as Carter clung on . the winner $2.90 out to 5's when they jumped with all the money on Slots. Slots got Lovely drag into it as well by the stable-mate. thought was gunna blow em away for second. Carter a great Trainer /driver though. near best in the country nowadays ?
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A few kiwi ex-pats at Albion Park tonight . so worth a look too for a $ fiver or 2 . Race 1. Megs Boy $1.70 (thought that was 'Mels Boy' for a moment . Ranga would remember him) Race 2. the FFA Speak The Truth $4.50 started in the Grins race and 2nd in a Miracle Mile . so wins this ? maybe Race 3. Shard's Matrix $4.80 won a couple of races at Addington last June . might be a winter horse lol 😅 Race 4. Golden Fire $3.00 Gold Ace mare from AKLD , back in grade from open Mares last start. wins. Race 5. Sweet Addition $3.00 A sweet draw for Swayzee owner Mick Boots and top man Pete McMullen Race 6. Crap race . giving the flick Race 7. TOSS-Up here . we have Premier Paul $7.50 from O'Reillys and Fernco Nel $2.00 from Larsens in the deep South . Better follow the money and go with star driver Pete M driving FERNCO NEL Race 8. a popular one here Post Painter .$1.25 raced all round the South Island last year but primed for this with a fast 1.52 placing last start (and a win previous start with first run in Australia) MegsB + Speak the Truth + Shard'sM + GoldenF + SweetA + FerncoN + PostPainter 1.7 x 4.5 x 4.8 x 3 x 3 x 2 x 1.25 = $826 might be worth a 5 bucks look ? . 4000- 5 cover $5.00 on Golden Fire R4. and still win a 'Fiver' anyway if the other 6 flop 🤣 Lets go Kiwis !!!
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