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Race previews

Race 6 @ 6.57pm - #10 Cheer Me OnIt was a tidy effort last week when running third.  While she'll need luck from the second row, I'd like to think she's a top four chance.Race 8 @ 7.47pm - #7 Red RackhamHe went super last week on a hot pace.  A couple of scratchings inside him will help the cause.  He looks a leading contender....

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.27pm - #12 Rough And ReadyOur warhorse is coming off the back of a very convincing win.  It's a tricky draw over the sprint trip, but being a 15 race winner he gets in well.  A lot points to him being a strong each way chance.Race 4 @ 7.30pm - #2 Major MajorHe's racing well so it's nice to see him get a crack at the final.  While it's a very handy field, he has the draw in his favour.  I'm sure he'll run another solid race.Race 6 @ 8.2...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 6.17pm - #3 Carolina Moon & #5 Cheer Me OnCarolina Moon is having her first start back for sometime.  She has a good draw, but looks an outside chance.Cheer Me On sustained a flat tyre in the run home last week which may have cost her third.  She's one to cover in place multiples.Race 4 @ 6.47pm - #4 Cracker Rock & #6 Red RackhamOur first runner Cracker Rock comes in off the back of a tidy win.  On exposed form he looks a top three ho...

Race previews

Race 2 # 5.47pm - #3 Major MajorHe continues to do his best work late and his closing sectionals confirm this.  I'd like to see him handy to the pace so he gets his chance.  Stay loyal.Race 3 @ 6.24pm - #1 Skys Legacy & #5 Ragnar LothbrokIt's the perfect draw for Skys Legacy.  His first up effort was full of merit, and I'm sure he will have derived plenty of benefit.  I expect him to run a tidy race again.It was a non-event for Ragnar Lothbrok first up...

Our Warhorse is back in the game

It was a sense of relief for trainer Arna Donnelly when Rough And Ready took out the feature pace at Cambridge last night.After winning 13 races out of the Donnelly barn, Rough And Ready couldn't hide from the open class performers any longer.  In consultation with his owners Robert and Sharyn Symon, a decision was made to send him to Australia.  Unfortunately things didn't pan out as expected.  After 1 win from 15 starts, both Donnelly and the Symon's thought it was time to reass...

Arna Donnelly - mid-year report

https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/arna-donnelly-mid-year-report/...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 5.52pm - #5 Cheer Me OnShe gets into this race nicely and I'm sure the 2700 metres will really suit her.  On paper you'd have to say she's a handy each way chance.Race 4 @ 6.21pm - #5 Rough And Ready & #6 Bad MedicineI thought Rough And Ready stuck to his guns last week after a tough trip in transit.  He looks a leading hope.Our second runner Bad Medicine continued his great run of form.  Like his stablemate, he looks one of the top ...

Orphaned at birth. Gangrene. Nothing’s stopping Red Rackham

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Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.19pm - #6 Major MajorHe made up plenty of ground last start and his sectionals were very good.  He meets an even field off a wide barrier, but with any sort of luck he shouldn't be too far away....

Kate Coppins' first win - "the best feeling"

21 August 2024 , NewsBy Brigette SolomonIt was a very memorable night for junior driver Kate Coppins when she scored her first driving win at Cambridge Raceway last night.The 19-year-old from Morrinsville has had her junior drivers licence for just three weeks, with her victory with President Flynntin coming at just her fourth drive. Making the win that extra bit special, was that President Flynntin is trained and owned by Coppins' grand-mother, Jill Coppins.“I grew up racing at Kidz Kart...

Donnelly with good chances at Cambridge today

20 August 2024 , Punters InfoBy Brigette SolomonTuesday racing returns to Cambridge today and local trainer Arna Donnelly lines up four horses, who all look to be promising chances.“They’re all racing well and look well suited in tonight’s fields” says Donnelly.Donnelly’s first starters for the night are Rough And Ready (5) and Bad Medicine (6) in Race 4, the Garrards Horse And Hound Handicap Pace over 2200 metres.“Rough And Ready’s first up run was good, he ran some nice sect...

Race previews

Race 4 @ 6.12pm - #5 Rough And Ready & #6 Bad MedicineI thought it was a good effort from Rough And Ready first up against a very tidy field, and his sectionals backed this up.  He looks a leading hope.Our second runner Bad Medicine is racing super.  It'll be a tough ask off 25 metres especially over the distance.  Having said that, he still warrants respect.Race 6 @ 7.06pm - #4 Red RackhamThis big bloke is looking for a hat trick.  A sm...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.14pm - #5 Ragnar Lothbrok & #8 Skys LegacyI'm happy with the way Ragnar Lothbrok has performed in his recent workouts.  He'll definitely benefit from the race night experience, but I won't be surprised if he finishes the race off nicely.Unfortunately it's not the draw I wanted for Skys Legacy.  I really like him, and while the cards might not be stacked in his favour tomorrow, he's a horse to follow.Race 6 @ 8.16pm - #6 Mako & #9 Jo...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 5.48pm - #5 Red Rackham & #6 Cheer Me OneRed Rackham finally put it all together with a powerful front running display.  It doesn't look a big step up in grade, so there's no reason he can't feature right in the finish.I was very happy with Cheer Me On first up in the North.  She gives me the impression she'll sustain her run, rather than being held up for a sprint home.  On exposed form, she looks a handy each way chance.  ...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.34pm - #6 Major MajorI thought he got home nicely once he balanced up round the bend last week.  It looks a very even line up without a standout.  With luck on his side he can feature.Race 5 @ 8.05pm - #4 Rough And ReadyOne of our loyal campaigners makes his return to NZ racing.  He seems to be back to his old self, so I'm really hoping he'll have a good experience.  If he's running on when it counts, I'll be happy....

Home track success at Cambridge

7 August 2024 , NewsBy Brigette SolomonIt was a successful start to Tuesday racing for Cambridge-based trainer Arna Donnelly on her home track last night.She trained two winners on the six race programme while stable employee Zev Meredith had a driving double and two placings from five drives.Donnelly’s first winner of the night, in a race in which she trained the quinella, was Bad Medicine who took out the Harcourts Te Awamutu Mobile Pace over 2200 metres. The Bettor’s Delight gelding ...

Youngster to debut as Cambridge rolls out new Tuesday meetings

By Brigette SolomonThere is another new addition to the northern junior driver ranks this week with Kate Coppins having her first race day drive at Cambridge Raceway today.The 19-year-old from Morrinsville, who is the granddaughter of trainer Jill Coppins, has long been involved with horses, competing in Kidz Kartz and equestrian events. Through family, Coppins has always been involved with harness racing and is now employed by Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly and loving every minute.“I got my ...

The Trials ‘Report Card’ 31 July 2024

1 July 2024 , Punters Info What was worth noting from all over the country for the week ending 1/8/2024Chase Me (2c Downbytheseaside – Delicata) Tr. A DonnellyLed out before trailing in this qualifier, challenged at the 400m & got the better of the pacemaker Kevin Kline over the final stages, last 800m in 58.7, 400m in 29.1. Half brother to Chase Auckland (14 wins + $809k) gets one’s attention. The astute Cambridge trainer has an ownership share as well. All six in this heat qu...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 5.47pm - #3 Cheer Me OnShe makes her Northern debut off the back of a handy workout.  While the Purdon/Phelan horse looks hard to beat, I'm expecting her to give a very tidy account of herself.Race 4 @ 6.41pm - #9 Cracker Rock & #12 Bad MedicineIt's a tough ask for Cracker Rock having to race stablemate Bad Medicine who's a seven race winner.  He'll track the markers, so we'll be looking for luck and hope to see him getting home.Bad Medicine is rac...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.25pm - #2 Red RackhamHe was doing his best work late last start, so I'd like to think he's coming to it.  It's a full field but he gets his chance from the draw.  Stick with him.Race 6 @ 8.24pm - #8 Joes RockShe hit the line strongly at Cambridge.  Starts from a horror barrier but on exposed form looks one of the key runners....

Race previews

Race 6 @ 7.50pm - #13 Major MajorIt's a full field and he has a second row draw to contend with.  There are a couple of handy horses in here, but with luck I'd like to think he'll be amongst it.Race 7 @ 8.14pm - #6 Bad Medicine & #10 Joes RockBad Medicine got home super last start.  His distance and track stats are strong and he doesn't look far off a winning turn.  Our second runner Joes Rock will have derived plenty of benefit from her...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.38pm - #3 Red RackhamIt's fair to say he hasn't had a lot of luck this time back.  From his good draw, I'm hoping he can land handy to the pace.  Keep him safe at tidy odds.Race 8 @ 9.24pm - #10 Keep It KlassyShe's a model of consistency and I see no reason for change tonight.  Once again, a lovely top three/four chance....

Race previews

Race 5 @ 7.02pm - #3 Major MajorHe's trained on nicely since his maiden win.  It's an even field and he holds a draw advantage over most.  I'd like to think he'll run a handy race.Race 7 @ 8.01pm - #4 Bad Medicine, #5 Joes Rock, #6 New York MinuteBad Medicine's form isn't a true reflection of how he's been going.  His closing 800 at Alexandra Park was cut out in 55.9 last week.  He's the dark horse of the field.Joes Rock has had two workouts and performed ...

Race previews

Race 4 @ 6.50pm - #5 Irish WhispersHe never saw clear air last start.  On paper it doesn't look an overly strong line up.  With his best form I'd like to think he can measure up here.Race 5 @ 7.15pm - #9 MakoHe'll have to do a bit of work from the draw, but judging by his runs to date, he looks capable of that.  I'm expecting him to keep his strong formline intact.Race 7 @ 8.05pm - #4 Bad MedicineHe hasn't managed to find any luck in his last four or five starts.&nb...

We'll drink to that

The owners of Major Major can be forgiven for feeling a bit thirsty, but that all changed at Cambridge Raceway last night.The royally bred son of Art Major, received the run of the race behind hot favourite Jahi and knuckled down late to grab first blood.It's fair to say he's tested the patience of trainer Arna Donnelly.  "I've always thought he had something under the bonnet but he's taken a while to show it," said Donnelly.  "Up until his recent preparation, he's been happy to take i...