Back to Blog

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...

Race previews

Race 6 @ 7.46pm - #9 Irish WhispersHe had a freshen up following a few hard runs.  I think the draw suits, and on exposed form he looks one of the key runners.Race 7 @ 8.11pm - #1 Major MajorThis guy comes in with three tidy workouts under his belt.  I'd like to think he can land handy to the pace from the draw.  Take him and the Matty White trained Jahi in the quinella and you shouldn't be too far away....

Trotting mares answer the call at Alexandra Park

HarnessLink - by Brad Reid (14 June 2024)A week removed from a public outcry about the discrepancy in opportunities for squaregaiting fillies and mares, Harness Racing New Zealand programmers called on nominations of trotting mares for a night of mile racing at Alexandra Park held on Thursday night.It had been pointed out that since August 1 last year under the Fillies and Mares Breeding Credit Scheme, there have been 188 credit-eligible races for pacers, and only 30 for trotters.Local trainer M...

One for Dad and Sue then Mum

It's not often you train a winner for both parents within a week, but Arna did just that when the ever consistent Keep It Klassy won at Northern Headquarters last night.  Turn the page back to 6 June and it was promising 3 year old Mako who put himself in the spotlight.Keep It Klassy is raced by Mother Mary, and Mako is raced by Father Brent and his wife Sue."It was really special that both horses won within a week of each other" said a happy Donnelly."Dad and Sue have had a lot of luck wit...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 6.45pm - #6 Keep It KlassyShe's racing great and her second career victory looks close at hand.  Can she do it tonight - it's a confident yes....

Mako goes two from two with promise of more to come

By Michael GuerinMako emerged as a horse to follow during the northern winter with a powerhouse win at Alexandra Park on Thursday night.Because the reality is the three-year-old isn’t going to need to improve much to win become a five-win horse.The son of Downbytheseaside completed a rare double when he graduated from a Cambridge maiden to overcoming a second line draw to down a classy opponent in Hawkeye Pierce in the NZ Horse Ambulance Trust Mobile on Thursday.In doing so he worked hard in t...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.15pm - #10 MakoI'm really happy with the way he's progressed since his first up win.  While the hot favourite looks awfully hard to beat, I'd like to think he won't be too far away.Race 4 @ 7.05pm - #2 Red RackhamHe's back on a new campaign and comes in with two very tidy workouts under his belt.  I'm expecting him to go a bold race fresh up.Race 5 @ 7.30pm - #5 Keep It KlassyShe's as honest as the day is long.  It'll be nice not having to chase off a han...

Race previews

Race 7 @ 8.05pm - #8 Bad MedicineHe hasn't had much luck in his last three or four starts.  It's a big drop in grade but he does have the outside barrier to contend with.  If things go his way he's a top three player....

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.08pm - #10 Keep It KlassyYou can't fault this girl - she's racing great.  She looks a tidy place contender once again.Race 7 @ 8.28pm - #2 KangoWhile he may have looked a little disappointing last week, it was pretty hard going on the markers.  On his best form he'd mix it with them.  Let's hope we see this....

Race previews

Race 4 @ 7.05pm - #3 Irish WhispersIt was another game effort last week and from his handy draw he looks a key runner.Race 5 @ 7.30pm - #8 Carolina MoonThis wee girl can't cop a break, and her form isn't a true indication on how she's racing.  Driven with a sit, I believe she can get some of the money.Race 6 @ 7.59pm - #4 Keep It KlassyIt'll be nice not having to chase off the standing start.  She's finished in the top four her last nine appearances so there's ...

Race previews

Race 1 @ 5.19pm - #5 Carolina MoonNot a lot has been going her way of late.  The field is lacking form so she gets her chance.  Hopefully she lands handy and can finish the race off.Race 2 @ 5.49pm - #1 Irish WhispersWe're down to a six horse race and he's pulled the plum draw.  I'm sure the man in the bike will have designs on the lead, which means he should be hard to contain.Race 6 @ 7.53pm - #2 Cracker RockThe Auckland way of going tripped him up last week ...

Race previews

Catch up on what Arna has to say about each of her runners engaged on premier night....