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Race previews

Race 2 @ 5.57 pm - #10 Perfect BetIt was a great effort in the Sires Stakes race last week and on paper it's a big drop in grade.  While she has a second row draw to overcome, it's not a big field.  She'd have to be a lovely each way player. Race 6 @ 7.55 pm - #11 Aflyin SpurYes he has a big handicap but he is a smart horse.  I do think he's well over the odds at $12 and $3.50.  I see him as a top three contender. Race 8 @ 8.54 pm - #5 KangoWell the big one of ...

New York Minute ploughs through the slush

On a cold slushy night New York Minute brought up his third win for the season while at the same time picking up his first victory at Northern Headquarters (Alexandra Park).  The win was sweetened by the fact it was penalty free as he was reigned by junior claim driver Zev Meredith. Conditions were testing with Zev reporting he had limited visibility.  Horses were struggling but not New York Minute who was in for the fight.  After going head to head outside the hot pot from t...

Race previews

Race 6 @ 8.02 pm - #6 Perfect BetWe've stepped outside the square and elected to line up in the Sires Stakes race.  On paper the two horses drawn wide look to get in well.  With the right run into it she's one to cover in trifecta/first four combinations. Race 9 @ 9.26 pm - #11 New York MinuteOff his handicap he didn't get a chance to get into the race last week.  He meets a tidy field with some handy up and comers but with luck he can feature.  From the draw, ...

Donnelly's race by race rundown for Cambridge

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Race previews

Race 4 @ 6.24 pm - #1 Rubble & #5 Perfect BetRubble makes his debut for the stable following two handy workouts.  He's a nice maiden who will definitely benefit from the outing.  He has the perfect draw so I don't expect him to be far away when the whips are cracking. Our second runner Perfect Bet got a bit lost last start at Alexandra Park but put in a very handy performance all the same.  She's a progressive filly who has trained on nicely since.  I see ...

He really is low flyin

Not many young trotters have a form line which reads 151211331 especially one that has taken a while to put it together.   There's never been any doubt that Aflyin Spur was destined to make it.  Right from a 2 year old he showed he had a motor.  At times he just didn't have the manners to match it.  It's taken miles and plenty of patience to get him to where he is today and now the rewards are coming in spades. While all his wins have been very impressive, his lates...

Race previews

Race 5 @ 7.28 pm - #9 Aflyin SpurHe's racing super and even from his 30 metre handicap over the shorter distance I'm sure he'll give a great sight.  He'd have to be a lovely each way player. Race 6 @ 7.53 pm - #8 New York MinuteThis guy slides in well being a 9 race winner however, barrier 8 means it won't be easy.  Let's hope he can get some luck and break the Alexandra Park hoodoo.  I'd like to think he's a top two contender....

Outlaw Man breaks sixteen month drought

Sometimes it's a long time between drinks as has been the case for Outlaw Man.  However, there have been a number of reasons as to why its taken him a while to find his way back into the winners circle. "There was just something not right with him" said Donnelly.  "We completed extensive veterinary examinations including scintigraphy which showed a few niggly problems that we're now on top of". The rehabilitation process and time that Outlaw Man needed meant he spent more tim...

Harrison enjoying being back

By Joshua Smith, Harness News DeskAlicia Harrison enjoyed being back doing what she loves at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday – driving winners.The local horsewoman was involved in a horrific car accident in January when she was on her way to the Karaka Million race meeting at Ellerslie, which left her bed-ridden for several weeks after suffering a broken sternum and ankle.“It was extremely scary,” Harrison said.“We were driving up to the Karaka Million and there was a guy in a ute on the w...

Race previews

Race 6 @ 7.33 pm - #8 Aflyin SpurThis bloke is really putting it together now and showing his true worth.  While 35 metres over 2200 makes it a tough ask, I still think he's a tidy prospect.   Race 7 @ 8.01 pm - #4 Wild CardIt's a big drop in grade for him as last start he had to race Taipo.  The Mike Berger runner looks awfully hard to beat but from his draw I'd like to think he's a top three contender....

Kango on song

Alexandra Park Facebook Arna Donnelly is aiming for her first Group One success when she lines up Kango in this week's Dawson Harford Limited 2022 NZ Messenger mobile pace. Kango is heading into Friday night's assignment in hot form, recently taking out the Coca Cola Superstars Championship FFA at group two level.  "The Superstars at Addington was a hit and run mission which we successfully pulled off.  A superb David Butcher drive and a great effort by the horse." an elated Donne...

Race previews

Race 10 @ 10.00 pm - #3 Outlaw ManHis work and the way he's improved with each race suggests he's not far away.  Having said this, it's going to be a tough ask as there are 2 or 3 smart horses drawn outside him.  He's a trifecta/first four chance....

Country Championship | Arna Donnelly

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Bruce Brodie now laughing all the way to the bank

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New York Minute brings up win 250 for Arna

After three placings, from three runners earlier in the night, I came close to thinking I'd have to wait a bit longer for win number 250.  Clearly New York Minute had other ideas.  After stepping like a toff from the 20 metre mark it looked his race to lose.  With the pace on from the get go I knew a lap from home that he'd have too much speed and come over the top of them.   Once again, it was a copybook drive by David Butcher when he ducked into the passing lane as the...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.33 pm - #11 Aflyin Spur We kick off the night with the in form Aflyin Spur.  Following his win last week he's gone back 10 metres but given it's 2700 he's got plenty of time to make up the ground.  He'd have to be a leading contender. Race 3 @ 7.02 pm - #9 Perfect BetThis royally bred filly is making her debut.  She's had 3 workouts and progressed nicely with each one.  One on the second row is perfect first up.  With the right run through, I'd like ...

Kango the King!

One dream, one soul, one prize, one goal sums up Kango's win in the Group 2 Superstars Championship. This race was always a hit and run mission and during the week I knew he was right in the zone.  His coat, his work and his demeanor all led me to believe he'd give this race a decent shake. A masterful drive by the man himself to overwork Cranbourne then take a sit proved the winning of the race.  The home stretch tussle saw Kango come out on top.   The overall time and ...

Two favourites and two impressive victories

As the saying goes, sometimes it's blood, sweat and tears.  Tonight at Cambridge was one of those moments.  As race 6 was scoring up behind the mobile, I was praying that we would see the real Taipo, and we sure did.  After letting them do the business early, Zev Meredith picked the perfect time to move.  To see this horse back in winning form and draw away like he did was pretty special.  ...

Countdown to Country Cups championship

6 April 2022 , NewsThere are just two more qualifying races left for the $100,000 Country Cups championship final at Addington on April 16 - and they are both on this weekend.The Winton Cup (3.39pm) is the penultimate event on Saturday, followed by the Mt Hutt Cup (3.13pm) at Methven on Sunday and it will be the last chance for several contenders to make the field.Winton is a Gold status race meaning there are more points for the top four (10-5-3-2) while Methven is Silver (7-4-2-1). The to...

Race previews

Race 6 @ 7.38 pm - #3 Wild Card & #6 Taipo We start with Wild Card who has a very tidy draw to contend with.  He didn't really get the chance to get into it last start over the sprint distance.  It's a small field and I believe he's up to them.  I think he's a very tidy each way chance. Moving onto Taipo.  Well we're back to the mobile after he missed away both days at Palmy.  This bloke has been a real head scratcher lately.  On his best form he's a very ...

Trots talk: Greg catches up with Arna Donnelly

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Donnelly trio ready for Canterbury Raid

By Joshua Smith, Harness News DeskRough And Ready secured his place in the $100,000 Country Cups Final with a gutsy win in the City Of Palmerston North Festival Cup (2500m) at Manawatu Raceway on Thursday.The five-year-old gelding was headed down the home straight by stablemate Bad Medicine, but he showed his tenacity to fight back to claim a head victory and bragging rights over his barn mate.The result gave trainer Arna Donnelly a boost of confidence with the pair as they continue their way so...

Rough And Ready right in contention for the Country Championship

Manawatu Raceway is fast becoming a favourite stomping ground for Rough And Ready.   On Thursday night he notched up his third consecutive win when taking out the City Of Palmerston North Festival Cup.  It was a perfectly executed drive by one of the best in the business - David Butcher. Stablemate Bad Medicine was game in defeat and has recently shown in can step up to the big time.  Its certainly no disgrace getting beaten a head by a horse as good as Rough And Re...

Kango books his ticket to Christchurch for the Superstars Championship

Being three and four wide didn't stop Kango putting paid to the opposition in what was his first run in 3 weeks. After starting off 35 metres, he was the first to make a move.  His opponents had him close in their sights and they weren't going to let him away with an easy last 800.  He was off the track until DJB ducked in for a breather around the final bend. When he peeled he really knuckled down and sprinted hard.   With open class racing thin on the ground over the next m...

Another Cup for Rough And Ready

In the space of a week Rough And Ready has put two cups on the mantelpiece.  After picking up the Waikato Cup he headed to Palmerston North to contend the Manawatu Cup.  Following a smart beginning from the 10 metre mark he quickly took the lead off stablemate Bad Medicine. He looked the winner a long way from home and cruised away to win by 3 ¾ lengths untouched.     The win pushed him right into contention for the Country Championship which replaces the...