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    Where Did They Come From?

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    Royal Ascot Preview – Day 4

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    In It For The Long Haul

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    ‘Rosa’ Tops Inglis Day 5

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    • by Michael Guerin New Zealand’s best pacing mare is set to add her stamp of class to a new series of races being widely welcomed by trainers. HRNZ has announced the new Mare’s Spring Schedule to provide consistent racing for mares without having to take on the boys. The Canterbury-based series of six races starts at Addington on August 29 and runs through until Show Day at Addington on November 14, where it ends with the Bob McArdle Classic. It contains a $17,000 kick off race, one race of $25,000, another of $30,000 and then three valued at $60,000, two at Group 2 level. Already co-trainer Scott Phelan says multiple Group 1 winner Duchess Megxit has the new series of races on her radar. “That is what we are setting her for,” Phelan, who trains with Barry Purdon, told HRNZ. “She isn’t eligible for the last race on Show Day because she is a Group 1 winner but she will contest two or three of the other races and I think it is a great idea. “She is probably the best mare in the country and she showed how hard it is to compete against those open class boys so this is the type of series of races we need to keep these mares racing in New Zealand. “We are all for it and she will definitely be heading down.” Phelan’s comments were echoed by John Dunn last week while Zachary Butcher is also planning to be part of the series with Mantra Blue so it looks set to provide an intriguing spring side plot to the open class horses building into the New Zealand Cup. HRNZ’s Matt Peden says the series is designed “to provide a clear and decisive pathway for mares throughout the spring.” The six races are: August 29, Addington: $17,000 R80. Sept 12, Addington: $25,000 Woodlands First Mares Spring Sprint, $25,000, R80, with conditions for higher assessed mares. Sept 26, Addington: $30,000 Woodlands Second Mares Spring Sprint, $30,000, open. Oct 10, Addington: Woodlands Mares Spring Sprint (G2), $60,000, open. Oct 27, Ashburton: Ladies Sprint (G2), $60,000, open. Nov 14, Addington: Bob McAcArdle Southern Mares Classic (Listed), $60,000, restricted View the full article
    • by Adam Hamilton Oscar Bonavena has at least one more booming run in him. Co-trainer Nathan Purdon said the nine-year-old “looked a million bucks” as the $500,000 Inter Dominion trotting final draws closer. “I’m pleasantly surprised how good he is, especially after the two mistakes and the chasing he had to do the other night,” he said. “I was just saying this morning how sound he is and how great he looks. “He might have looked a bit showy last Saturday, but he’s spot on now.” This time there is no worries about Oscar Bonavena’s growing aversion to front barrier draws. Last week’s mistake saw him placed out of the draw and he will start from wide on the back row (he’s drawn 12, but will come into 11). “It’s perfect really. He’ll get the chance to relax and find his rhythm,” Purdon said. “You’d think the race will be run genuinely. There’s quite a few big chances and I’m sure the pace will be on and there will be some moves. “We’d love the chance to drive him for absolute strength, that’s saving him for the last run at them. You know the speed he’s got when we can do that.” Purdon expects this to be Oscar Bonavena’s last season of racing. “What a marvel he’s been. To think he was almost retired as a four-year-old because of injury and here he is five years later in the Inter Dominion final,” he said. “He’s still got his speed and even though he’s had so many issues and he’s come through this series so well. “I’d love him to run a great race and everything says he will.” View the full article
    • Herbertson leads as Kiwi quartet chase in Young Drivers Champs The 2025 Australasian Young Drivers Championship is heating up, with Victoria’s James Herbertson staking a dominant early claim as the competition leader heading into the final rounds. Three heats were held at Albion Park on Tuesday night and another three last night, where all four of the New Zealand representatives recorded a placing: Carter has two second placings, and Sam, Wilson and Harrison have a third placing each. But it’s Herbertson who’s set the benchmark, notching up three wins and a second across the first six heats to sit comfortably on top of the leaderboard ahead of NSW’s Jett Turnbull and Queensland’s Chloe Butler. With four heats to come — three at Redcliffe on Friday night and the final on Inter Dominion night at Albion Park — the Kiwi team will be looking for a strong finish to chase down the leaders and secure a place on the podium. Remaining heat times (NZT): Friday – Redcliffe Race 1: 7:52pm Race 3: 8:50pm Race 5: 10:00pm Saturday – Albion Park (Inter Dominion Night) Race 1: 7:00pm Keep an eye on HRNZ for updates and results as the series wraps up this weekend. Breakthrough night for Orange in Queensland Photo Courtesy: The Creek Albion Park Facebook It was a night to remember for Harrison Orange, who notched up a placing and a win during Wednesday’s meeting at Albion Park. It was his first race win on Australian soil. The 19-year-old, representing New Zealand at the 2025 Australasian Young Drivers Championship, made his mark early in the night with a third-place finish in Heat 4 aboard NZ-bred Vinsanity. But the highlight came later on the card when he guided Rock Hammer to victory for Queensland trainer Graham Dwyer, a pick-up drive that gave Orange his first ever win outside of New Zealand. “Graham had said to me when he was in Auckland earlier this year with his trotter (Not As Promised) that if I ever came over, he’d give me a drive,” said Orange. “It worked out well that he had one in with a five-point claim, so he put me on. It was pretty cool to win it at Albion Park. Definitely a big thrill in my career.” The win wasn’t part of the official AYDC heats, but that didn’t stop his fellow competitors from celebrating the milestone when they all joined the post-race celebrations -and winners photo – in a brilliant show of trans-Tasman camaraderie. Milestone moments for Ranger and Beecroft It was a weekend to remember for two harness racing participants, with Monika Ranger notching up career win 50 and Alan Beecroft training his first winner. Ranger hit the half-century aboard Mantra Blue at Alexandra Park, a fitting milestone given the mare is trained by Zachary Butcher and owned by Lynette Philpott, the same team behind Ranger’s very first win on Call Me Trouble back in 2022. Monika works with Zachary at Lincoln Farms for Ray Green and Nathan Delaney. Meanwhile, Beecroft broke through as a trainer when Royal Deirdre scored at Addington. The long-time industry worker is currently based with Fred Fletcher and has also worked for Barry Purdon, Dean Taylor, Brian O’Meara, and others. After nearly a decade away from the game, he returned to training in pursuit of one goal: a winner. “Bloody exciting,” was how he described the moment to Nigel Armstrong on Harness Racing Unhinged. Winter Rewards Race Day at Winton The final race meeting of the season for the 2024/2025 season in the Southern Harness region takes place at Central Southland Raceway in Winton on Thursday – 17 July. The day will feature six Winter Rewards races which helps bring good fields together during the winter months with a stake for each of $25,000.  Racing commences at 11.45am and entry is free. Lindsay Beer Promotions Officer  Southern Harness Racing 021 351 499 U S Captain joins Wai Eyre and Macca Lodge roster waieyrefarm.co.nz  | maccalodge.com Wai Eyre Farm and Macca Lodge have announced the arrival of U S Captain for the 2025 breeding season. The son of Captaintreacherous and world champion race mare American Jewel brings elite credentials, including 22 wins, 16 sub-1:50 miles and a lifetime mark of 1:49. Now 100% New Zealand-owned, U S Captain will stand for $3,000 + GST, with working fees included for mares bred on-farm. He is Harness 5000 and Next Gen eligible, and is expected to be a strong match for Bettor’s Delight mares. Dancingonmoonlight reveals 2025 stallion line-up dancingonmoonlight.co.nz/stallions Dancingonmoonlight Farm has confirmed four stallions for the 2025 breeding season, combining 17 Group One wins and more than $9.5 million in career earnings. Pacing sires include Bettor’s Wish ($8,500 + GST), whose debut Australasian crop has impressed with multiple juvenile winners, and Tattoo Artist ($5,000 + GST), a 40-race winner and Group 1 performer. Both are eligible for Harness 5000 and Next Gen. Gimpanzee and Tactical Landing (both P.O.A) lead the trotting division, bringing elite North American credentials. Gimpanzee is a Hall of Famer with three Breeders Crown titles, while Tactical Landing is already a back-to-back Hambletonian sire. All stallions are available via frozen semen with limited bookings. Nevele R confirms 2025–26 roster and breeding incentives nevelerstud.co.nz Nevele R Stud has unveiled its stallion roster for 2025–26, along with several on-farm incentives and fee reductions aimed at supporting breeders. Captain Crunch, Pebble Beach, and Vincent return as pacing sires, while the trotting roster includes Tactical Approach, Father Patrick, Creatine and Marcoola. Creatine and Father Patrick continue to leave Group performers, while Marcoola’s early crops include standout three-year-old Rogue Hero. Multiple mare discounts apply across Creatine and Marcoola, along with incentives such as free float hire, reduced vet packages and free grazing for eligible mares bred to Nevele R-owned or managed stallions. Woodlands confirms 2025–26 stallion roster woodlandsstud.co.nz Woodlands Stud has confirmed its 2025–26 stallion line-up, with six pacing sires and one trotter standing at the Auckland farm, and American Ideal available via frozen semen. Bettor’s Delight remains at the helm, standing for an unchanged fee of $25,000 + GST. He is joined by Sweet Lou ($11,250 + GST), Downbytheseaside ($10,000 + GST) and Lather Up ($4,000 + GST), all of whom continue to deliver success on the track and in the sales ring. Speeding Spur ($1,000 + GST) returns as the trotting option after becoming a siring winner, while American Ideal ($9,000 + GST, frozen) remains available to NZ breeders in limited supply. Woodlands has also confirmed that What The Hill will not return this season following reduced bookings last year. View the full article
    • by Jonny Turner Southland’s biggest day of winter harness racing so far is looking Gray. Brett Gray lines up a powerful 12-horse team at Winton’s Winter Rewards Finals Day on Thursday. Beating her stablemates may prove to be the biggest challenge for Gray’s stable spearhead Haley Jaccka in the tightest assessed of three Winter Rewards Finals for pacers. The mare returned from a freshener with a bang, powering along the inner to win a hectic affair at Ascot Park ten days ago. And according to her trainer, she’s thrived since. “That wee break we gave her was just what she needed,” Gray said. “She’d had a lot of racing through the autumn and gone very well in good company.” “She really seems like she’s on the top of her game since coming back.” “Her work this week has been first class.” The preferential draw conditions of Thursday’s finals have put Haley Jaccka on the outside of the front line in barrier 8. After showing blazing gate speed in her last start, driver Brent Barclay clearly has options. “She has got plenty of gate speed, but she is pretty good with a sit too,” Gray said. “Brent will be able to choose what he wants to do.” Always Ticking, Foxing Easton, and Stillyourshot take on their stablemate Haley Jaccka. Always Ticking has been brilliantly consistent through the winter and looks an each-way chance. Foxing Easton and Stillyourshot both look legitimate hopes if they can front with their best efforts. Gray starts three horses in the mid-tier event among Thursday’s Winter Rewards Finals for pacers. Sodoyahavtime, Janaka’s Delight, and Jaccka Evan look evenly matched going into the event. “Janaka’s Delight has been racing great without a lot of luck, hopefully she might get some from her good draw (2).” “Jaccka Evan got too keen last start, but we’re hoping he might be able to settle better on the second row.” “Sodoyahavtime has been working really well too, so they are all handy enough chances.” Gray starts two key chances in the two-mile races for pacers who aren’t eligible for Thursday’s Winter Rewards Finals. Jaccka Henry is another who faces barrier 8, but looks capable of overcoming it. “His last start was a little bit disappointing, but we have gone back to the drawing board and we were quite happy with his trial last week.” “I think he’s a good chance.” Jaccka Henry needs to beat out his stablemates Equine Assett and Rambin Rover to score at Winton. In the tighter-assessed of the two-mile races, Ultimate Cullect will be aiming to cap off a consistent run of form. “She’s been going great, just getting too far back.” “She won over the mile in a similar race last year, she just needs a wee bit of luck to be a pretty good chance.” Ultimate Cullect clashes with another Gray runner in Foxfire Easton at Winton on Thursday. View the full article
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