News Briefs - February 18

The death of well-known Cambridge horseman Kevin Shaw, General Jen's retirement from the racetrack and a history-making milestone in North America all feature in this week's News Briefs.

Vale Kevin Shaw

Harness Racing New Zealand would like to send its condolences to the family of Kevin Shaw. The Cambridge-based trainer-driver-breeder died over the weekend, aged 76 after a long illness. As a trainer he had 68 wins, with his first being Marine Mist at Cambridge in 1982 and his last with Twentynine Twelve in 2017, while he had eight driving winners, his first as a junior driver in 1971. He either bred or co-bred, along with wife Cathie, more than 40 horses including Hoppy's Jet who had 12 wins between 1994-98. Cathie Shaw is the current vice chair of the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Association. 

Harrison wins latest Revell Douglas heat

Riley Harrison has moved into fourth place in the Revell Douglas Memorial Series after winning at Motukarara in Heat 5 with Bruntwood Brigade on Sunday. She now has 27 points to trail leader Harrison Orange (46), Emily Johnson (37) and Brooke Wilkins (31). It was one of two wins on the day for Harrison along with Normie Stead. The final two heats will be held at Cromwell on Friday and Sunday.

General Jen to become broodmare

A winner of seven from 17, General Jen has been retired to become a mum. The four-year-old daughter of Captaintreacherous had her swansong (finishing sixth) in Friday's Group 1 NZ Breeders Stakes, won by Debbie Lincoln. In the start before that she was a last to first winner of the Group 2 Mares Championship at Addington. She is in foal to Confederate.

Cran Dalgety's 1500th success  

Tetrick's impressive win at Addington on Friday gave Cran Dalgety his 1500th training success. It was one of three wins he and wife Chrissie had on the night, along with Treacherous Dreams and Franco Sinatra.  They now have 219 in partnership. Cran Dalgety has also had 51 with Nathan Purdon (2020), and 1231 on his own account (1992-2019).

50 wins for father-daughter combo

The in-form combo of Ken Ford and Amanda Tomlinson chalked up their 50th win together with Maroubra at Motukarara on Sunday. The father-daughter partnership have had six wins already in 2026 after starting out together in 2021, with Zsa Zoe their first winner. Ford also has 168 on his account from 1993-2022.

Former ID winner dies

Former Interdominion winner Play On has died, aged 28. The winner of 14 from 98 between 2002-2008, his career highlight was an upset victory in the 2005 Group 1 Interdominion Trotters Grand Final at Alexandra Park for trainer Peter Lamb and driver Craig Thornley. Winning by over two lengths Play On beat the likes of Lyell Creek, Allegro Agitato, Delft and Take Moment, paying $49 for the win. Play On also won the Group 3 D G Jones Trotting Cup at Motukarara in 2006.

History for Miller

David Miller has become the first driver in the history of the sport to top $300m in career earners. Based in Ohio, he has had nearly 15,000 wins since his first in the early 1980s. He has eclipsed Hall of Famer John Campbell as the all-time leading money-earner in North America.    
 
Blazing Home

After recording 19 wins in Australia, Kiwi-bred pacer Blazing Home is now collating a good winning record in North America. Bred by Michele Carson, Blazing Home was exported across the Tasman in 2022. In 2025 he was a six figure earner in the USA and has now won four more races this year, the latest coming at Saratoga in New York over the weekend.

Team Teal fund-raiser 

A major Team Teal fund-raising night will be held at Addington on Friday, March 13. The night will feature the final of the Frocks at the Trots fashion competition and for $60 there will be a drink on arrival, a buffet dinner and a night full of entertainment. The night's host will be the Breeze's Hilary Muir. Tickets can be purchased via QR code or http://www.iticket.co.nz/.../mar/team-teal-fundraiser-night

To see more details click here