News Briefs : February 11

Team Teal racks up the wins, a change to a 2YO Trot at Auckland, and Leap To Fame's incredible Group 1-winning run all feature in this week's News Briefs.

$5000 for Team Teal 

Team Teal has raised more than $5000 this month, with all five ambassadors winning races. The campaign aims to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and funds towards research with money raised every time a female driver wins a race in this country between February 1 and March 16. In addition there are five ambassadors who raise extra money every time they win a race thanks to contributions from Harness Racing New Zealand ($100), clubs and individual sponsors.      

After five wins at Manawatu yesterday, there have been 16 wins by female drivers so far this month, with ambassadors Kirstin Green (2) and Crystal Hackett (2) and Samantha Ottley, Olivia Thornley and Brooke Wilkins all having wins.

The first Frocks at the Trots, Team Teal's fashion competition, was held at Rangiora on Friday with Pauline Pattullo winning.

The second heat is at Gore on Sunday before the third heat at Alexandra Park on February 27. The final, with 12 contestants, will be held at Addington on March 13, with the winner receiving flights and accommodation to the Mooloolaba Peninsula Resort in Australia.

For more information contact courtney@hrnz.co.nz

Hill wins latest Revell Douglas heat 

Defending champion Seth Hill has moved up to fifth in the Hygain New Zealand Revell Douglas Memorial Series after winning the fourth heat at Methven on Sunday. He has 17 points after the Bruce Negus-trained Foliejon Star cleared out to a big win. With two heats wins, Harrison Orange currently leads on 46 points, with Emily Johnson next on 37 and Brooke Wilkins on 31. The fifth heat is at Motukarara this Sunday, with the final two heats at Cromwell on February 20 and 22. The series, which was first held in 2022, is run in memory of the late Revell Douglas who tragically drowned at Karioitahi Beach in 2021. 

Kiwi dream all over 

Millionaire pacer Don't Stop Dreaming will do his future racing in North America. The multiple Group 1 winner was sold late last year with the star pacer officially leaving these shores last week. A winner of 18 races and $1.2m he was also second in the Hunter Cup, The Race and the New Zealand Cup, all in 2024. Trained by Hayden and Amanda Cullen, his last race in this country was a seventh in the 2025 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup. 

Change to 2YO Trot 

To improve the pattern of 2YO Trots in the North Island, the race originally scheduled for March 27, 2026 at Alexandra Park has been rescheduled to be run one week earlier, on March 20. Please consult programmes for further information, or contact the Bureau at bureau@hrnz.co.nz

Seventh win for bargain buy 

How good a buy is Misty Blue turning out to be? She was purchased by Bruce Negus at the 2021 NZB Standardbred Weanling Sales for $3000. Now, after her win in Friday's Amberley Cup, the Sweet Lou five-year-old has won seven races and $87,000 for her ownership group that includes regular driver Sheree Tomlinson and her partner, commentator Matt Cross. 

Leap To Fame one closer to record  

Leap To Fame is now just Group 1 away from equalling the Australasian Group 1 record with his win in Saturday's Kilmore Cup. It was his 15th Group 1, one behind joint leaders Westburn Grant and Lazarus. Leap To Fame gets his chance for a 16th in this Saturday's Hunter Cup. Meanwhile trotting superstar Keayang Zahara has 12 Group 1s, equal with Sundees Son, and three behind the all-time leader Lyell Creek.

Marshall's Kilmore double 

While Leap To Fame stole all the headlines after his Kilmore Cup win the meeting also saw a notable double for ex-pat Kiwi trainer Kyle Marshall. He took out the Popular Alm Sprint with Smoken Ace, with James Herbertson driving, before Ata Rangi (Jordan Leedham) completed a race-to-race double. Smoken Ace was a $2.40 favourite, winning his third in a row while Ata Rangi was at double figure odds ($13). Marshall trains a team of 10 in Ballan in Victoria, after moving to Australia from Cambridge in 2023.

$1m beckons for Turn It Up  

Turn It up is poised to become Australian pacing's next millionaire. The Courage Under Fire 11-year-old currently has earnings of $AUD998,109 and is likely to hit seven figures at Albion Park in Brisbane over the weekend. The multiple Group 1 winner had 11 wins in this country for Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen before heading across the Tasman in 2020. He has now 39 wins from 123 starts. 

Feb Metro heats on this Friday 

The latest Northern Metro Series will be held at Alexandra Park this Friday, There will be $15,000 heats for both the trotters and the pacers with the first three home from February 13 and 20 automatically qualifying for the $35,000 Finals on February 27. The last Finals were won by Father Barry and Johnny Lincoln in January. 

To see Friday's fields click here