Back to Blog

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...

Race preview

Race 1 @ 5.50 pm - #1 CrusaderThis big bloke has finally been able to pull a draw.  He's been racing super without any luck.  While it looks Miki Montana's race to lose, I do think he'll be right amongst it.Race 3 @ 6.53 pm - #10 Bad MedicineHe couldn't find any gaps last week so hopefully it's a different story tomorrow.  It's a very tidy field and 1700 with a second row draw makes it hard.  I still expect him to run an honest race.Race 4 @ 7.18 pm - #9 Major ...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.26 pm - #6 MannionIt's an open maiden race and a full field to boot.  While he will need luck from the draw, I'd like to think he's a top four chance.Race 3 @ 6.51 pm - #9 Pacing HopeThis wee girl can hug the markers the whole way which suits her down to the ground.  One thing's for sure she'll try her heart out.Race 4 @ 7.16 pm - #3 Jolimont We've stepped him up to the big time after his impressive win.  It looks a tough ask on paper, but he won't d...

Jolimont gives galloping identity his first harness winner

...

Rough And Ready wins Cambridge Gold Cup Final

By Michael GuerinArna Donnelly says there were two deserved winners when Rough And Ready captured the $20,000 Cambridge Gold Cup Final on Monday.One was the horse himself while the other were owners Robert and Sharon Symon for their belief and support of the horse when he often found himself in races beyond his reach.“This horse has won 13 races, which is no small feat,” says Donnelly, who quinellaed the race with Bad Medicine running second.“He has been a real warrior, racing all last win...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 3.15pm - #2 Mannion & #7 JolimontOur first runner is Mannion who has a nice draw to contend with.  While it's fair to say he had his chance on Thursday, I do think he probably lacks a bit of ring craft.  With a good run he's one to cover in combinations.I'm very happy with the way Jolimont has progressed since his debut.  With natural improvement he's a logical each way player.Race 4 @ 3.40pm - #3 Pacing HopeOnce again she was as game as ...

One of our two year old's in action

Shez The One (aka Georgie) a Sweet Lou filly out of Styxler recently completed a successful preparation under our care.  Here's a few shots of her in action last week.See what Arna had to say about Georgie: "In the last six weeks she came ahead leaps and bounds.  We worked her down to a tidy mile and she showed us there's potential there.  With a good spell I'd like to think she'll qualify in the second half of 2023.  She has plenty of attributes in her favour - she's a ...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 5.59pm - #1 MannionHe got home nicely last start and has a lovely barrier to contend with.  On exposed form, he looks a tidy each way chance.Race 7 @ 8.09pm - #7 Pacing HopeShe made up stacks of ground in the run home last week.  Unfortunately the draw hasn't swung in her favour.  If the breaks go her way she's a trifecta/first four player....

Kango on the Aqua Walker

Kango's on a working holiday enjoying some down time on the Aqua Walker.  Big thanks to our neighbours Robyn and Russell at Kendayla Park for taking such good care of him....

Life after racing - No Way Else

No Way Else (aka Percy) a former stable favourite and winner of 8 races on the track, is also proving very competitive in the show ring.On the 17th and 18th of December 2022 the North Island Standardbred Assn held the inaugural From Harness to Hack event at the Waikato Equestrian Center.  Percy was crowned champion Novice with rider Lexi Nolan in the saddle.Here's a few pictures of Percy in action....

Our warhorse opens the season

Its taken us a few weeks to get our first winner on the board but no one could argue that our warhorse Rough And Ready deserved this accolade.When hot favourite Chimichurri can caned away it looked R&R's race for the taking.A sharp mid race move by the man who knows him the best put paid to any chance the favourite had.While he may not be in the same league as Kango, he currently sits equal with him having won 12 races from our barn.He's well and truly qualified for the Cambridge Gold Cup fi...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.03pm - #1 MannionHe was just over 3 lengths off them last start after having a bite for the lead and having to do it the hard way.  The ace draw swings right into his favour.  I see him as a lovely each way player.Race 5 @ 7.30pm - #13 Pacing HopeA big field and a second row draw makes it a tough ask.  While she'll try her heart out, it does look like she'll need luck to feature.Race 8 @ 8.56pm - #6 CrusaderI thought he got home super last week off a quic...