News Briefs: June 18

[Wandering Eyes]

Bet N Win settles into Aussie

Multiple Group 1 winner Bet N Win will race in Sydney this Saturday night, ahead of his Inter Dominion campaign in Queensland. The Rowe Cup winner was on a flight from New Zealand, along with Pinseeker and Betterthancash, earlier in the week. The two pacers will front up in race 1 at Menangle at 7.17 pm on Saturday while Bet N Win will contest the Ainsworth – AGTSlots.com Trotters Mobile at 10.36pm. Bet N Win is currently a $5 fourth favourite for the Inter Dominion Trotting Final at Albion Park on July 19, behind Oscar Bonavena ($3), Arcee Phoenix ($4.50), and Callmethebreeze ($4.50).

Vale Murray Matthews

Harness Racing New Zealand would like to send its condolences to the family of Murray Matthews, who died earlier this week. A trainer, owner and breeder Matthews was 74. He owned or co-owned more than 20 horses over the years – many of them had football-related names including Bergkamp (2 wins), Van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben and Rykaard. Another of them Japie Stam was his last winner as a trainer in 2006. His first was Esprit Turbo in Auckland in 1997. He trained 10 winners overall. He also raced Gladys Greenland, who had two wins from Jeremy Young’s northern stables before being transferred to Steven Reid in Rangiora. A celebration of Murray Matthews’ life will be held on July 12.

Fletcher hits 50

When Paris Prince won at Addington on Friday the 13th it marked a special milestone for veteran trainer Fred Fletcher. It was his 50th success with the progeny of Royal Aspirations, a horse he trained in 17 of his 18 career victories (the other one was with Sam Smolenski). Paris Prince has been in regal form of late winning four of his last seven starts and 10 overall from 61 starts. Royal Aspirations’ stock have had 85 wins in total, with Fletcher also having wins with the likes of Royal Del (13 wins), Sunny Louis (8) and Royal Pride (6). Royal Aspirations stands at Phoebe Stud with a $2500 service fee.

Telfers extend lead  

Team Telfer has now shot out to a six win lead in the trainers’ premiership. Steve and Amanda Telfer and Stonewall Stud have now produced 78 wins in 2025, to be six ahead of Michael House, the newly-crowned New Zealand Amateur Drivers Championship winner. The Telfers have had 14 winners in June including Captains Secret who landed a $40,000 win bet at Alexandra Park last Friday. Blair Orange is the country’s leading driver with 90 wins, with the Telfers’ top southern driver Tim Williams second on 59.  Wilson House, with 57 wins, is 17 wins ahead in the junior drivers championship with Crystal Hackett and Harrison Orange second equal on 40 wins.

Star mare wins again

The brilliant Twin B Joe Fresh has won her second straight Roses Are Red feature for the mares at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Canada, winning in 1:48.8 by more than three lengths. The star mare has strong Kiwi connections through trainer Chris Ryder and driver Dexter Dunn, who are also co-owners. She has now won 32 races and earned close to $US3m. Also on the programme Louprint produced a stakes and track record of 1:47.2 to win the 42nd edition of the $1m North American Cup. The race for the three-year-old pacers produced a stirring finish with Dunn fourth with Captain Optimsitic. It was Louprint’s 12th win in 15 starts.  

Six finalists in Industry Excellence Awards

Harness Racing will be represented by six finalists at the 2025 Entain Industry Excellence Awards in Auckland later this month. They are Samantha Ottley and Crystal Hackett (National Racing Woman), Zachary Butcher (Equine Licence Holder Excellence), Nathan Purdon (Leadership Excellence), David Branch (Administration and Innovation Excellence) and Shannon Armour (Care and Welfare Excellence). The awards are open to anyone under 40 and the winner of each category – and the supreme Entain Excellence Award winner – will be announced at an awards night at Tote On Ascot at Ellerslie Racecourse on Sunday, June 29. Category winners will receive $10,000 with finalists in each category receiving $2,000. The overall supreme winner receives an extra $5,000 and a $5,000 educational package. Flights and accommodation are supplied for each of the category finalists.

Countdown to weanling sale

The NZB Standardbred Weanling Sale is just over a week away. Held in conjunction with the National Thoroughbred sale for the first time, the standardbred sale which includes three yearlings will start on June 26 at Karaka at 2.30 pm. Around 90 standardbreds will go under the hammer. A total of 19 horses will be Next Gen eligible.

To see the catalogue click here

Auction closes tonight

The latest gavelhouse.com standardbred auction closes from 7pm tonight (Wednesday) Among the 10 lots is Bad Habits  who has won three races from 17 starts for trainer Regan Todd. The Lazarus four-year-old is, according to his advertisement, “due for a change of scenery and is ready to go straight away for new owners”. At last look he had met his reserve, with bidding at $7,000. 

Kiwi Harness Heavyweights at Royal Ascot

Legendary trainer Barry Purdon and prominent owner Richard Cole (IRT) have been spotted trackside at Royal Ascot this week. Great to see New Zealand harness racing faces enjoying one of the world’s most iconic racing events.

 

View the full article