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Race previews

Race 4 @ 6:42pm - #13 Red RackhamHe made up nice ground in the run home first up.  He's still learning his trade, but I do have quite a bit of time for him.  With luck he can feature.Race 6 @ 7:40pm - #7 CrusaderIt's going to be a tough ask off 25 metres.  There are a couple of very smart co back markers who are dropping in grade.  Realistically I think he's a trifecta/first four chance.Race 8 @ 8:48pm - #8 MannionHe ran a very nice last 800 at the workouts on ...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6:00pm  #10 Third Time (Zev Meredith)He's making his debut after a good qualifying effort.  It's a big field of maidens with a few handy ones in it.  Whatever he does he'll improve on, but I do expect him to finish the race off.Race 4 @ 6:52pm  #2 Mr President (Todd Mitchell)This guy has been taken on his last few starts but has still managed to run a couple of super races.  A handy draw over the sprint distance makes him an appealing each way chance.R...

A super couple of nights for the team

We started the ball rolling at Cambridge on Thursday then backed this up quickly at Northern Headquarters on Friday night.  Across the 2 meetings the team managed to pick up 2 wins and 4 placings.It started with Crusader who notched up career win number 5 from a second row draw.  Being the highest assessed horse in the race he looked in with a good chance despite drawing awkwardly in what was a full field."He's a horse who probably flies under the radar in fairness, " sa...

Kango just too good in Roy Purdon Memorial

By Michael GuerinKango may no longer be a one-trick pony, even if it is a pretty good trick.The mammoth Cambridge pacer used that trick, leading and outstaying his rivals, to down hot favourite Self Assured in the $45,000 Roy Purdon Memorial at Alexandra Park on Friday night, with Heza Sport a close up third on his track debut.Those same tactics have won Kango a Franklin Cup and Kaikoura Cup, those valuable races just below the absolute best races like next Friday’s Auckland Cup.Kango has of c...

Donnelly aiming for dual success at Cambridge and Auckland

By Michael GuerinLocal trainer Arna Donnelly is hoping to start a huge 24 hours with a win at Cambridge tonight.Donnelly takes her stable stars headlined by Kango to Alexandra Park tomorrow night, where the big horse contests the Roy Purdon Memorial.He warmed up for that with a strong win over Old Town Road at the Pukekohe workouts last weekend and Donnelly says the 2200m standing start with a 10m advantage over the favourites might be Kango’s chance.“He is ready to go and ready to be driven...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 6:23pm - #2 Pacing Hope & #12 DennyWe start with Pacing Hope who didn't get the rub of the green last week.  From her handy draw she looks one to cover in minor combinations.Hats off to Denny who kicked off his Northern debut in style.  A second row draw and big field makes it a tough ask, but on exposed form he's not without a chance.Race 4 @ 6:50pm - #7 Red RackhamOur debutant Red Rackham has had two workouts and progressed ni...

Race previews

Race 4 @ 6:49pm - #1 DennyOur new recruit has been blessed with a great draw for his Northern debut.  We've had him just over a month and while his work has been nice, he'll definitely benefit from the outing.  Having said this, I think he'll run a tidy race.Race 8 @ 8:41pm - #7 Pacing HopeIt was a great effort last week to bring up win number 6.  She's drawn a bit wide so we'll look to take a sit and get home.  I see her as one to cover in all combinations....

The silent achiever who flies under the radar

She's the silent one who generally backs up week after week and always gives her best.  Yes none other than Pacing Hope.At Alexandra Park on Thursday she secured career win number 6 after trailing then getting up the passing lane late in the piece."We've played the system well" said Donnelly.  "She's picked up a penalty free win here and there plus with the added bonus of a junior concession driver she's only an R40.  It's nice to see the system working for a horse like her.""Her ...

Race previews

Race 5 @ 7:26pm - #1 Mr PresidentI thought he was super at Cambridge last week.  He's got a perfect draw so won't have to do any extra.  While it's an even field, I think he's a tidy each way player.Race 6 @ 7:51pm - #3 Virginia ClowersI couldn't have been happier with her Northern debut.  She has the draw advantage over the two higher assessed runners which will help.  She's one to cover in trifecta/first four combinations.Race 8 @ 8:43pm - #1 Pacing HopeOur n...

Race previews

Race 8 @ 8:17pm - #5 Pacing Hope & #9 Mr PresidentWe start with Pacing Hope who certainly can't do anything wrong.  While the barrier is enough to make it tricky, she'll run her usual honest race.I thought Mr President's last start effort was very good.  If he can get the right run through, he's a big chance....

Race previews

Race 2 @ 5:55pm - #10 JolimontI'm really happy with this horse, and while he hasn't been favoured in the draws, he's one of the better chances.  If luck plays its part, he'll be right there when the guns are cracking.Race 5 @ 7:25pm - #11 CrusaderHe had to run a 1:54 mile rate to finish 4th last start.  It's a very tidy field and he has a second row draw to contend with.  It'll be a tough ask, but he'll run his usual honest race.  Don't let his course stats go ...

Race previews

Race 4 @ 6:54pm - #5 Mr PresidentHe had a couple of hard runs in a row so this is his first race in three weeks.  I'm very happy with him and with luck he's a tidy each way player.Race 5 @ 7:27pm - #8 New York Minute & #9 Rough And ReadyNew York Minute is in a fine vein of form.  I see no reason he won't give another good account of himself.Our second runner Rough And Ready slides into the race well and is racing super.  He's a live chance.Race 8 @ 8:50pm -...

Race previews

Race 6 @ 7:17pm - #3 Pacing HopeShe raced well at Palmy both days and I see no reason why she won't be competitive again from her handy draw.  As always, she has to be a first four player.Race 8 @ 8:06pm - #2 JolimontI'm really happy with this horse and I see no reason for him not to feature.  In an ideal world he'd slot in behind Merlin so the quinella looks enticing.  Race 9 @ 8:32pm - #6 KangoThis race will be a nice tighter prior to the big event next ...

Race previews

Race 5 @ 7.23pm - #10 New York Minute & #11 Rough And ReadyNew York Minute wasn't entitled to win on day 1.  Horses just don't come from last on the corner at Palmy and sprint like he did.  He's a royal show again.Our warhorse Rough And Ready was as tough as teak when running third.  He'll relish the distance and keep them honest.  I see him as a key player.Race 6 @ 7.50pm - #8 Pacing HopeShe got going too late on Wednesday but made up plenty of g...

Meredith making moves at Manawatu

by Dave Di Somma, Harness News deskFresh from his first ever driving double on Wednesday night, Zev Meredith is going for another at Manawatu on Friday night.Yesterday the talented junior driver won with New York Minute for his Cambridge-based employer Arna Donnelly and then reined home Cristiano Buccini for Levin trainer Murray Gibbs."It was my first double and it's taken four years," says Meredith, "and I was pretty eager to get it done and crossing the finish I was like 'you beauty'."The 20-y...

Kango confirmed for The Race by Grins - "incredibly exciting"

29 March 2023 By Michael GuerinJust a few years ago Arna Donnelly couldn’t have believed she would be where she is now.Where that is is the leading trainer in the Waikato and with her stable star Kango preparing to line up on her home track for $1million in The Race by Grins.Kango became the ninth and likely second-last invite to the race when his connections secured the Dunstan Feeds slot on Wednesday, bringing a real Waikato flavour to the April 14 race.He will not only have Donnelly as his ...

Race previews

Race 5 @ 5.52pm - #8 New York Minute & #9 Rough And ReadyNew York Minute comes in off the back of a big win at Alexandra Park last start.  He's well handicapped off the 10 metres which should make him a strong winning chance.Rough And Ready starts from the back mark over the sprint trip of 2000.  As always he'll give you a great sight.  Don't leave him out of your quinella/trifecta.Race 6 @ 6.22pm - #9 Pacing HopePacing Hope slides back into the same g...

It's been a couple of days to remember for Zev

Stable junior driver Zev Meredith has been on fire over the past few days.  He's bagged two winners and a third from three drives for employer Arna Donnelly. It started on day 2 of the Manawatu meeting when he reigned home Pacing Hope.  A gutsy wee mare who has now won 5 races."We took two nice chances to Palmy and once she found the front I thought she'd take a bit of catching" said Donnelly.Things didn't go our way in the Manawatu Country Cup when Crusader bobbled away at t...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 5.54pm - #4 Pacing HopeShe's been racing great and slides into a field where she looks a competitive chance.  I see her as a handy each way player.Race 4 @ 6.44pm - #3 CrusaderThis guy went super against the big boys at Cambridge last week when clocking a very respectable 3.23 for 2700 metres.  Going by his odds, it looks like the bookies didn't pay a lot of attention.  I think he's a key player....

Race previews

Race 3 @ 6.21pm - #3 MannionPut a line through his last start.  This horse trialled super at Cambridge on Saturday and I'm expecting a very bold run.Race 4 @ 6.46pm - #5 Keep It KlassyShe did everything that was asked of her on debut.  It'll be hard going with race winners off the back mark but if she trots the journey and finishes on I'll be more than happy.Race 5 @ 7.11pm - #1 Pacing HopeI'm quite surprised at her odds given her last start performance and barrier ...

Race previews

Race 6 @ 8.19pm - #8 Le MajorHe was caught out on a limb first up in what was a very fast 1700 metres but still fought on gamely.  I've got plenty of time for this horse but a horror draw makes it hard.  Let's hope he's getting home strongly at the business end.Race 7 @ 8.48pm - #8 JolimontThis bloke was game in defeat last week and has bounced through the race well.  While it's a handy field of 3 year olds, a lot depends on what happens in transit.  If he...

Race previews

Race 1 @ 1.25pm - #6 Mr PresidentI've got quite a bit of time for this horse who is having his first start.  He's had one workout this time back and finished nicely held in behind them.  Whatever he does he'll improve on, however I do expect him to run a handy race.Race 2 @ 1.49pm - #4 Keep It KlassyWe have another debutant stepping out in the maiden trot.  She's a very honest type who has done nothing but trot.  It's a big field but I'm sure she'll give a very hone...

Race previews

Race 4 @ 7.26pm - #10 MannionPut a line through last start as he pulled hard and choked down.  He should follow through nicely from the second row.  Based on his prior form, I do think he's one for your trifecta/first four combinations.Race 6 @ 8.23pm - #4 New York Minute & #6 Rough And ReadyWe start with New York Minute who has a handy draw to contend with.  With his share of luck I do expect him to feature amongst it.Rough And Ready has only had two starts ove...

Our purchase on day 1 at Christchurch

As soon as we saw him we had every intention of taking him home.  Yes there had to be a twist and it's unique.  He's a grey!Our purchase on day 1 at Christchurch is a standout.💎 Lot 144 - What The Hill /Far From True (Colt)This colt was beautifully presented by Stacey White and we couldn't resist.But guess what, he's one for the gals and ladies so we'll be looking to form a syndicate to cater for just that.We've had an amazing amount of interest with shares filling fast so you'll ha...

Our 2023 purchases from the National Standardbred Yearling Sale at Karaka

We acquired three lovely yearlings from the National Standardbred Yearling Sale at Karaka yesterday (19 February 2023).All three horses were beautifully presented by their vendors.  Both colts were prepared by Breckon Farms Ltd with the filly coming out of the Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd draft.All lots were purchased by new clients, one of whom is new to Harness Racing.  We’re very grateful that these clients have put the faith in our team to handle what we hope are future stable stars.A...