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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....

Race previews

Race 2 @ 5.44pm - #12 Keep It KlassyShe's putting together a great form line and I see no reason this won’t continue.  Once again, she looks a top three chance.Race 5 @ 6.59pm - #1 Cracker Rock, #4 Shez The One & #12 Carolina MoonCracker Rock made up plenty of ground in the run home last start.   From the ace draw I’d like to think he’s a tidy each way player.Things didn’t go right for Shez The One when last on course but on prior form you need to includ...

Race previews

Race 4 @ 7.24pm - #8 Beta PrepareHe's racing solidly but once again hasn't been able to pull a draw.  On paper it doesn't look like an overly strong maiden field, so I'd like to think he's a tidy each way chance.Race 6 @ 8.14pm - #3 The SurferIt's certainly a big drop in grade from Group 1 company.  He has a perfect draw which I'm sure the man in the bike will take advantage of.  Couple him up with Escape Artist and you won't be far away.Race 7 @ 8.39pm - #2 Dragons...

Grins Night of Champions Round Up

It's certainly a very fitting name "Grins Night of Champions" when the best of the best come out to play."Results wise it was a great night" said Donnelly.  "It's not often you line up ten horses on premier night and six of them run in the first four.  Even a couple that didn't finish in the money still went good."Kango was the headline act when running third in The Race by Grins.  Driver David Butcher made the most of a perfect draw and it always looked like he'd be a top three o...

Race previews

Hear first hand what Arna has to say about each of her ten runners - simply click on the attachment.Best of luck to everyone who is fortunate to have a runner.We'll also be cheering for our Australian visitor Queen Elida and Lilley Racing, as well as Claire Brodie who has drawn Muscle Mountain in the sweepstake.And a special mention to our slot holder Barrett Homes New Zealand.  We'll be giving it our best shot...

Race previews

Race 1 @ 5.13pm - #10 DragonstoneIt's a big field of maiden trotters so she'll definitely benefit from the experience.  Having said that, if she gets away safely I'd expect her to run a tidy race.Race 2 @ 5.42pm - #6 Beta PrepareHe brings sound Alexandra Park form but hasn't been blessed by the draw.  You'd still have to consider him a top three chance.Race 5 @ 6.57pm - #6 Little SpikeHe made up plenty of ground in the Northern Derby against top class 3 year olds.  ...

Race previews

R4 @ 3.59pm - #8 Cracker RockOn exposed form it looks as though he's struck the stronger maiden field.  From the draw he'll need a bit of luck.  Cover him in trifecta/first four combinations.R5 @ 4.29pm - #3 Carolina MoonWhile it looks a step up, she had to do it the hard way when last on course.  From her handy draw I'd like to think she's a place chance.Race 6 @ 4.57pm - #5 Bad Medicine & #7 New York MinuteBad Medicine has a 10 metre start on his main riv...

Kango looking good ahead of fourth Free For All

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Race previews

R3 @ 6.19pm - #4 Irish WhispersIt was a non-event first up in a big field however, he made up plenty of ground in the straight.  From a good draw, he looks a leading hope.R7 @ 8.11pm - #1 Shez The OneIt's an even field, but she won't have to do much extra from the draw.  I'd like to think she's a top 3 chance....

Big win for Meredith at Manawatu

By Brigette SolomonCould Zev Meredith have picked a better race for his 50th success?Yesterday at Manawatu he not only brought up a driving milestone but had his first win as an owner as well, when Apple Of My Eye led all the way in the Partners Night Thursday Mobile Pace.“It was awesome, I’m absolutely stoked the mare won and to have it as my 50th winner was even better,” says Meredith.The mare brought up her first win from just three starts.Apple Of My Eye started from barrier six, and M...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 5.54pm - #5 New York Minute Coming in with fresh legs is New York Minute.  He has a 20 metre advantage on his main rival and this could be the telling factor.  He looks a leading contender.Race 4 @ 6.44pm - #5 Carolina Moon She stuck gamely to the task on day 1, and on exposed form looks a tidy each way chance.Race 8 @ 8.37pm - #7 Cracker Rock He didn't look overly comfortable in the later stages yesterday so we've made a couple of minor gear...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 3.56pm - #6 Carolina MoonShe's racing well but can't pull a draw.  With luck on her side, I don't think she'll be too far away.Race 4 @ 4.23pm - #3 Cracker Rock & #6 Apple Of My EyeCracker Rock starts from a good alley so will have a few options.  On exposed form he looks an each way player.Our second runner is Zev's horse Apple Of My Eye.  Based on her last start she looks a handy chance....

Race previews

Race 1 @ 6.02pm - #11 Keep It KlassyPut a line through her gallop last start when a couple of runners poked up underneath her.  With a clear run in transit, she's a tidy each way chance.Race 3 @ 7.02pm - #2 Shez The OneShe made ground off a quick 800 when last on course and has a better draw to contend with.  I'd like to think she's a top three hope.Race 5 @ 8.02pm - #2 Bad Medicine & #4 New York MinuteOff 10 metres Bad Medicine can land handy to the p...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.40pm - #9 Beta PrepareI thought it was a very game performance last start being 4 wide from the 700.  I do think he'll run a very good race at reasonable odds.Race 5 @ 8.03pm - #5 The Surfer & #7 Little SpikeUnfortunately The Surfer has to start outside the two favourites.  I believe he deserves to be there, and if he gets the rub of the green I expect him to be running on.It's the toughest test to date for Little Spike but you cer...

Race previews

Race 1 @ 2.13pm - #9 Keep It KlassyShe went super on Friday and in a moderate line up looks awfully hard to contain.Race 3 @ 3.19pm - #7 Carolina Moon & #10 Cracker RockCarolina Moon just missed at Palmy.  It's a full field of maidens so a lot depends where she lands.  We'll look for a cosy trip and hope she's finishing the race off.Cracker Rock made up plenty of ground last start.  Fingers crossed he gets a nice run through from the second line.  I'd ...