Bruce Negus on the Harness 5000 - "we don't have many Bettor's Delights or Art Majors around here"

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

From seven to 18 - that's how many horses that are now eligible for the brand new Harness 5000 meeting at Ashburton this December.

In the space of a week the total has more than doubled, with veteran trainer Bruce Negus leading the way. He has three horses that have already qualified for the series with the prospect of more to come.

"It's a great initiative," says the Burnham-based Negus, "we have a whole lot here we are targeting for it."

On December 21 Harness 5000 will host a total of 12 $60,000 finals for trotters and pacers whose sire stood for an advertised retail service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception.

"They are racing for the sort of money you couldn't even sell your horses for these days," says Negus, "and if you win that one big race it can pay for a big team of horses for most of the year."

Qualifying is from July 3 to December 9, 2025 and to be eligible horses must compete in at least five race day starts within this period.

It's a concept unashamedly aimed at those at the sport's grassroots and with Negus specializing in the "cheaper bracket" it is right up his street.

"There are not too many Bettor's Delights or Art Majors around here," he laughs.

Mouton Cadet (Sir Lincoln), Gliding High (Highview Tommy) and Buffy Northstains (Majestic Son) have already met the criteria for the series and he has another three that he either trains or co-owns that could make the start line at Ashburton. They are Aunty Deb (trained by Andrew Faulks), Classie Linc and Paige.

Of the six Mouton Cadet has been the latest of many success stories for Negus. A $700 purchase off gavelhouse his earnings now stand at over $60,000 (with five wins).

"Every so often you get lucky," he says, "he's been a great old buy."

2025 will see the first Harness 5000 though there is a commitment from HRNZ to run it annually for at least the next 5 years.

"And that means you can breed with confidence," says Negus.

In response to the new series a number of studs have lowered their fees accordingly.

The 14 pacing and 20 trotting sires that meet this $5000 or lower criteria are as follows :

Eligible Pacing Stallions (2025/26)

Cannibal ($5,000)
King Of Swing ($5,000)
Krug ($2,500)
Lather Up ($4,000)
Lazarus ($4,000)
Locharburn ($1,000)
Pebble Beach ($5,000)
Ride High ($3,000)
Stay Hungry ($5,000)
Tattoo Artist ($5,000)
Terror To Love ($4,000)
The Storm Inside ($2,500)
U S Captain ($3,000)
Vincent ($3,000)

Eligible Trotting Stallions (2025/26)

Aldebaran Eagle USA ($3,000)
Aldebaran Zeus ($3,500)
All Cashed Up ($1,250)
Callmethebreeze ($5,000)
Carlton ($1,000)
Classic Connection ($4,000)
Creatine ($3,000)
EL Titan ($4,000)
Elite Stride ($3,500)
Father Patrick ($5,000)
Habibi Inta ($2,500)
Majestic Son ($5,000)
Marcoola ($1,500)
Monkey Bones ($2,500)
On A Streak ($3,000)
One Over Da Moon ($1,500)
Oscar Bonavena ($2,500)
Royal Aspirations ($2,500)
Six Pack ($5,000)
Speeding Spur ($1,000)

To see the latest Harness 5000 leaderboard click here