News Briefs – October 23

[Wandering Eyes]

Show day Twilight slot races taking shape 

The slots are filling up fast for THE ASCENT and THE VELOCITY as part of the Show Day Twilight races at Addington Raceway on Friday, November 15. In the past 24 hours two more horses have been announced, with Tyron Eros for The Tyre General Giti in THE ASCENT and He’s From Heaven as Entain’s pacer for THE VELOCITY. The Kiwi-bred He’s From Heaven has been racing in Victoria and has a career record of eight wins from 16 starts. Tyron Eros, bred and raced by the Neumanns in Ashburton, has won five from 10 starts, including last year’s Group 1 IRT Ace of Clubs at Addington. Two starts ago when winning at Addington he also set a new 2600 metre record for the colts and gelding in a time adjusted 3:17.8, lowering Oscar Bonavena’s old mark. 

Top Aussie driver looking for drives

IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Cameron Hart will be back at Addington on Tuesday, November 12 and he’s on the look out for drives. Last year he guided Swayzee to victory in the country’s biggest ever race and he is set to return this year. He is expected to drive at Addington on both Cup and Show day as well at Ashburton on Thursday, November 14. Anyone keen to engage Hart are encouraged to contact the club involved.

Wednesday slot for The Box Seat 

Next week’s The Box Seat will be a day later than usual, with an 8pm timeslot next Wednesday (October 30). It has been held back a day because of Ashburton’s massive meeting on Labour day Monday. 

Williamson passes 1100 career wins

Thanks to four wins on the day, Nathan Williamson has passed 1100 winning drives. The Branxholme trainer-driver was in great form at Ascot Park on Sunday with his milestone win coming with Drummershavtime in the Woodlands Motors Mobile Pace. With Foxing Easton and Flying Ellie also winning Williamson now has 1002 wins overall. He has 54 wins in 2024 so far, which puts him seventh nationally behind Blair Orange(153), John Dunn (116), Tim Williams (74), Sam Ottley (68) , brother Matthew Williamson (63) and Zachary Butcher (58). On the training front Steve and Amanda Telfer went past 100 wins for the year when Rock Or Bust won at Addington on Friday night. They also won with Bettors Anvil to be at 101 and second in the premiership behind Robert and Jenna Dunn on
123.

Vale Heather Tangye

A well-respected member of the harness racing community, Heather Tangye was farewelled this week after “a wonderful life”. Among the very good horses she bred were Liquid Lightning (6 wins), Sir Andy (9), James Holmes (5)  and Willow Chip (6). “She loved racehorses and understood the complexities of caring for them,” says her son and well-known trainer Bruce Negus, “she was a thoughtful woman who supported everyone she came across.”
“She raised five children on a horse trainer’s budget and yet we wanted for nothing.” She was 94.  

HRNZ and Sires’ Stakes roadshow details

Breeders and all industry participants are invited to come and listen to HRNZ Chief Executive Brad Steele explain HRNZ’s long term strategy for growth and sustainability under The Future Starts Now. Martin Pierson from the NZ Sires’ Stakes Board will also speak on the opportunities under the banner of “Our Most Trusted Brand.”  The Christchurch event will be at Addington Raceway at 5.30 – 7.30pm Thursday October 31, with Southland’s at the Makarewa Country Club from 7pm on Wednesday November 6. Events at Pukekohe and Cambridge are also planned for the end of November with dates to follow.

Latest Sires’ Stakes newsletter out now 

One thing New Zealand harness racing has over the other racing codes in this country is a world class animal racing on home soil and there are many of them contesting Sires’ Stakes Series finals and other Classic races in the coming months. The $50,000 Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes Sophomore Classic promises to be one of the highlights of Ashburton’s huge day of racing on “Magic Monday” on Monday, October 28. It is also a busy time for the NZ Sires’ Stakes Board right now in the lead up to the biggest week of the year. For their latest newsletter click here

Successful broodmare dies

Wonderful broodmare Inspiring Dash has died, at aged 24. A winner of five on the track the Falcon Seelster mare then had 13 foals for Ken and Anne Spicer   but has been struggling with health issues of late. Included in her progeny were Venus Serena (16 wins, $727,012) and Dashing Major (8 wins, $151,565.) Her own foals, and daughters and grand daughters have produced over 30 individual winners for over $3.7m in stakes, through the likes of Rona Lorraine, Sheriff, Wrangler, Laver, and Cyrus. There have been nine Group 1 wins and two Group 3s. In 2023 she was a Canterbury Broodmare Excellence Award Winner.

New role for Saundry 

Bernard Saundry, who is well known in the racing community on both sides of the Tasman, is the new chair of Harness Racing Victoria. He was Chief Executive of the organisation for eight years from 1993 and has also been chief executive of Racing Victoria and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. 

Club News : Kaikoura

Racing at the world’s best looking course is not far away.  On Sunday, November 3 a Fast10 race day with 20 minute gaps between races will be held at Kaikoura’s South Bay race track. The start time is 3.48pm with gold coin entry as a donation to the local cricket club. Monday is Alabar Kaikoura Cup Day starting at midday. $10 entry per person over 18 years of age. Please pay at the gate. Plenty of food and beverage options.  

Club News : Tuapeka 

The Tuapeka Harness Racing Club bring their annual Cup Day race meeting back to Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill this Sunday, 27 October. This is the fourth year the club has raced in Invercargill and the meeting has proved very popular with good crowds each year. The Tuapeka Club bring a wonderful mix of great racing allied to plenty of free activity for the children making it an ideal day out for the entire family each year. The feature race is the $20,000 Tuapeka Lodge Cup Handicap Pace over 2700m. It is race 8 on the day, timed to start at 3.48pm.

Race goers can enjoy a day out at the Top Of The Park with superb viewing and full hospitality for just $60 per head. Contact Southern Harness Racing’s Promotions Officer Lindsay Beer on 021 351 499 or at lindsay.beer@xtra.co.nz for more information.

Childrens entertainment is free on the day with mini jeeps and a bouncy castle while the first 100 children on course will receive a free Mr Whippy ice cream and there will be Kidz Kartz Pony Racing.

The first race is timed to start at 12.30pm and admission is free.

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