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End of an era for Hunter

August 1 will mark the end of an era for one of harness racing’s most loyal servants. Legendary horseman Charlie Hunter has elected not to renew his stable hand license for the upcoming season, bringing down the curtain on nearly 70 years of holding a harness racing permit in New Zealand in some capacity. Starting out as a driver in the 1950s, Cambridge Raceway patron, Hunter has held many roles in the industry, including trainer, owner, bloodstock agent, and administrator, and few have contri...

Chilcott trotter paying the bills

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Cambridge trotter Ivegotbills is more than paying his way with his recent form. The Nicky Chilcott-trained six-year-old recorded his third victory in his last four starts when winning the Mico Handicap Trot (2200m) in the hands of junior reinsman Zev Meredith at Cambridge Raceway on Friday night. Ivegotbills was given a quiet trip on the markers for the first lap of the race before Meredith found the back of Majestic Harry and secured the one-one position. With...

Brookies Jaffa vying for hattrick

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk The Jason and Megan Teaz-trained Brookies Jaffa will be vying for a hattrick of wins at Cambridge Raceway on Friday night. The five-year-old gelding has won his last two races at the Waikato track and he will reunite with driver Sailesh Abernethy in the Plumbing World Mobile Pace (2700m). His trainers have been pleased with his recent form and expect another bold showing from the son of Auckland Reactor on Friday. “I am rapt with him,” Jason Teaz said. “H...

Strong boost projected in TAB NZ’s community distributions

TAB NZ is projecting a significant increase in distributions to the community in the next financial year, providing a major boost to both racing and sport in New Zealand. One of the key legislative objectives of TAB NZ is to maximise profits for the New Zealand racing industry, and returns to New Zealand sport. Next year, the three racing codes - New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) and Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) - are projected to receive $23 millio...

She Reigns supreme at Cambridge

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk She Reigns has all but secured the Dunstan Cambridge Horse Of The Year crown after her victory in the Dunstan Horse Feeds Handicap Trot (2700m) at Cambridge Raceway on Friday night. The Graeme Rogerson-trained mare had to overcome her 50m handicap, but made light work of her opposition, running away to a comfortable eight length victory in the hands of Rogerson’s stable foreman Dylan Ferguson. “She got a good trip, that was the difference tonight,” Fergus...

Tomlinson continues northern raid at Cambridge

VIDEO REPLAY: Maudarchy finishing third last start at Auckland....

Marshall filly goes Whooshka at Auckland

Three-year-old filly Whooshka is a maiden no longer, having won the Caduceus Club Mobile Pace (2200m) at Alexandra Park on Friday night. The daughter of Sportswriter burnt off the mobile arm to take an early lead for trainer-driver Kyle Marshall, and she remained in control throughout, before holding out the late challenge of Ronda to win by a nose. Whooshka has placed in three of her previous five starts and Marshall was pleased to chalk up her first win on the board. “This time in she has ju...

Hackett off to a flyer in the sulky

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Crystal Hackett reached lofty highs in the showjumping ring and now she is kicking goals on the racetrack. The junior reinswoman recorded her first race win in the sulky at Alexandra Park last week, and it didn’t take her long to return to the winner’s circle, reining home Marathon Man to victory in the John Deere/Agrowquip Mobile Pace (2700m) at Cambridge Raceway on Friday night. While any win for a novice driver is great, Hackett’s first two victories w...

Mama ready to Rocknroll at Cambridge

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk One of the surprise packages of the IRT Harness Jewels on Sunday will back-up at Cambridge Raceway just five days later. Rocknroll Mama flew home late in the Gr.1 Woodlands Stud 4YO Diamond (1609m) to beat race favourite Amazing Dream into third and record her first elite-level placing. Trainer Matt Purvis took in the action from his local pub in Canterbury, with a cold beverage in his hand, and said when he saw her track Plutonium Lady into the race he began t...

IRT Harness Jewels 2021 Preview

- by Joshua SmithGr.1 Woodlands Stud 4YO Diamond (1609m) The 4YO Diamond looks to be a two horse affair and TAB Bookmakers agree, installing multiple Group One winner Amazing Dream a $1.85 favourite ahead of Group One performer Need You Now at $2.30. It’s then a jump to joint third favourites Pearl Harbour and Plutonium Lady at $12. Amazing Dream will deservedly wear the yellow leaders jersey on Sunday after a stellar season, which culminated in victory against 4YO Emerald favourite Copy That ...

Gun draws for local trainer ahead of IRT Harness Jewels

Local trainer Arna Donnelly was over the moon when the draws came out for next Sunday’s IRT Harness Jewels at Cambridge Raceway. The Waikato horsewoman will contest the Gr.1 Civtec 4YO Emerald (1609m) with New York Minute and Kango, who have drawn barrier one and two respectively. Both geldings will get the best possible trip over the sprint distance, with their chances aided by hot favourite Copy That drawing the outside of the second row. “It is fantastic when you scroll through the fields...

Cambridge Raceway to host Breakfast with the Stars

Cambridge Raceway will host a special Breakfast with the Stars workouts on Saturday May 29, ahead of the IRT Harness Jewels 2021 meeting on Sunday June 6.  The casual meeting is expected to attract many of the horses competing in the season defining event the following weekend and it offers connections a chance to give their horses a final look at the track in racing conditions before the big event.  “We have workouts every Saturday but this one should attract a bigger crowd than usu...

Kango gets perfect Jewels tune-up

By Michael Guerin Trainer Arna Donnelly is glad she isn’t driving Kango in one of the biggest races of his career at the Jewels. Because ask Donnelly what she thinks she would do in a best-case scenario and she admits she doesn’t know. The giant first-season pacer got the perfect pre-Jewels confidence boost on his home track on Thursday night when he cruised to the front and was never out of third gear before romping home from Doc Holliday in a sizzling 55.5 second last 800m in the 2700m mai...

Fashion Q&A with Lizzie Charleston

International model Lizzie Charleston is a regular at Fashions on the Field competitions. Always the epitome of style and sophistication, Lizzie talks us through some commonly asked questions and gives some tips ahead of the Ultimate Global Group Fashions on the Field at the IRT Harness Jewels 2021 where she joins the panel of judges. How did you first get involved with the race day fashion scene? I’ve attended the races since I was a little girl due to family being involved in the r...

I Can Doosit Chooses Final Gr.1 Sponsor for IRT Harness Jewels Raceday

Outstanding Gr.1 trotter I Can Doosit was the star of the show for today’s draw of the IRT Harness Jewels 2021 Supporter Package.Breckon Farms’ pride and joy established a record setting 18-win sequence, with one of his 10 Gr.1 wins coming in the 2010 Harness Jewels 4YO Ruby.  Given he won the said race, it seemed only too fitting when suggested by MASH’s Charlotte Mooney, that he should pick the winner of today’s draw for the final Gr.1 sponsor on IRT Harness Jewels Raceday.To pick...

IRT Harness Jewels 2021 Standings: May 14

Montana Food & Events Harness Jewels 2YO Ruby The Tony Herlihy-trained Double Delight’s debut win at Alexandra Park last Friday has placed her in fourth spot on the 2YO Ruby standings, securing her place in next month’s juvenile feature. Ahwel moved up the rankings to sixth position after his win at Cambridge Raceway last week, while Kowhai Sunset is one place ahead after winning at Rangiora last Sunday. Night Watch has been withdrawn. King City currently sits in 12 position after his fourth...

Cambridge rivalry heating up

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk There’s a burgeoning rivalry developing at Cambridge Raceway and it’s just starting to heat up. Local junior drivers Alicia Harrison and Luke Whittaker have drawn level at the top of the North Island junior driver standings after Harrison recorded a winning double at her home meeting on Thursday night. She opened her account behind the Matthew White-trained Emmber in the Cambridge Homes Mobile Pace (2200m). The daughter of triple Group One winner Lauraella ...

Blanchards hopeful with maiden runners

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Peter and Vaughan Blanchard are hoping a couple of their stable runners will clear maiden ranks this week. The father-and-son training duo will head to Cambridge Raceway on Thursday with Harvey Specter and Skyzclearnsunny and they believe both runners are capable of scoring their first wins. Four-year-old gelding Harvey Specter will contest the Mitre 10 Cambridge Mobile Pace (2200m) where he will be driven by Todd Macfarlane from gate three. The 22-start maiden...

My Royal Roxy runs them ragged at Cambridge

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Consistent trotter My Royal Roxy rewarded trainer Ival Brownlee’s patience when winning the Ike Unsworth Bayleys Handicap Trot (2700m) at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night. The daughter of Majestic Son began like a bullet off the front row to take an early lead for driver Jay Abernethy who maintained a solid tempo throughout. The pace told on her rivals, with the six-year-old running away to a comfortable 2-1/4 length win. Brownlee was delighted with the re...

IRT Harness Jewels 2021 Standings - 30.04.2021

Harness Jewels 2YO Ruby American Muscle has entered the qualifying fray for the 2YO Ruby after finishing second at Alexandra Park last week, boosting his ranking from 17th to 12th. Harness Jewels 3YO Ruby The Paul Nairn-trained Outamyway has found his way into the top 10 on the 3YO Ruby standings after winning at Addington Raceway last week in the hands of Blair Orange. The Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett-trained Mufasa Metro has also entered qualifying contention, securing 12th position afte...

Paynter hoping to serve up a trotting feast

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Cambridge trainer Ross Paynter has an exciting couple of days ahead of him. The appetiser will come at his home track on Thursday when he lines-up As Free As Air in the IRT. Your Horse. Our Passion Handicap Trot (2700m), with the main course coming a day later at Alexandra Park when Anditover competes in the Gr.1 Rowe Cup (3200m). As a trotting enthusiast, the Rowe Cup has always been held in high regard by Paynter who previously finished fourth in the staying ...

IRT Harness Jewels 2021 - Current Standings

Harness Jewels 2YO Ruby Mystic Max secured his spot in the Harness Jewels 2YO Ruby with victory at Addington Raceway last Friday. His $5,500 winning purse takes him to third place on the leaderboard. Despite finishing fourth behind Mystic Max after breaking off the mobile, erratic trotter Highgrove maintains his pole position with $22,550 in the bank. The Dean Hunter-trained La Dama has been withdrawn from the Harness Jewels, allowing High On Love to sneak into the 12th qualifying position. Harn...

Purdon's plan is working

By Michael GuerinScott Phelan knows Major Perry’s win at Cambridge on Thursday night means more than just a spot in next month’s Sires’ Stakes Final.He knows he means the plan of training partner Barry Purdon is working.Phelan drove the speedy son of Art Major and Katy Perry to the juvenile’s first career victory in the Sires’ Stakes heat and he looked the winner a long way from home.Major Perry, who had been luckless so far in his career, dived straight on to the back of stablemate Mo...

Montana DJ thriving ahead of Cambridge test

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk He has already won one Group One race in his short career and now smart juvenile Montana DJ is marching on to try and add a few more to his burgeoning record in the coming months. The Gr.1 Garrards NZ Sires’ Stakes 2YO Final and Gr.1 Harness Jewels 2YO Emerald are firmly on the radar and he will continue his preparation towards those targets in the Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes (Heat 2) Mobile Pace (1700m) at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday. The son of Captaintre...

Sell-outs looming at Jewels

By Harness News DeskIt’s under two months to the IRT Harness Jewels 2021. The raceday will feature nine Group One races, all worth $100,000, at Cambridge Raceway on June 6 and every week we will be checking in with Cambridge Raceway Chief Executive Dave Branch to see how things are progressing in the countdown to the big day.April 13 :Two of the premier places to watch this year’s IRT Harness Jewels at Cambridge Raceway are on the verge of selling out.“We have just 26 seats left in th...