News Briefs - January 14

Some important racing dates information, It's Tough's record run at Nelson and a free 25-box barn all feature in this week's News Briefs.

New race programmed for Addington

To cater for a larger than normal number of higher-rated pacers in Canterbury at this time of year, an additional race has been added to the NZMTC programme at Addington for Friday, January 30. It will be a Colts - Geldings and Entires  Pacing FFA over 1980 metres, with PBD on rating then winning stakes. The race will carry a stake of $20,000. For any enquiries, please contact bureau@hrnz.co.nz.

Change in date for Cambridge  

Cambridge's first harness racing meeting next month has been brought forward one day. It will now be held on Wednesday, February 4 and not Thursday, February 5 as scheduled. The change has come about through Entain's operational requirements at the time. Addington's meeting on February 5 will be unaffected.

The Metro series is back in 2026.

After becoming a real feature of northern racing in the past couple of years, the Metro series will continue in 2026. And it will start earlier than usual. The first heats will be held at Alexandra Park on January 23. There will be two heats for both the R35-50 Trotters and Pacers, with all four worth $15,000. The first five home in each heat will automatically qualify for the two $35,000 finals at the Park on January 30.

One tough horse

It's Tough is not only winning races he's winning them in record time. The Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained star lowered the track record when he won the Nelson Classic on Sunday in 1:51.5, eclipsing the old mark of 1:51.8 set  by Akuta in 2022. It's Tough has won 11 of 26, and seven of his last 10 starts. He went back to back at Nelson with the Dunns training eight winners over the two days.  

Mares off to be mums  

Two top racemares trained by the Dunns have finished their racing careers. Follow Your Dream is off to become a mum after wining six races, while I Dream Of Jeannie is also heading to the broodmare paddock after really flourishing of late with five wins in her last 13 starts for the stable, and 17 overall. Her last start was a second in the Group 3 Gold Cup at Omakau on January 2.

Kingman favoured in Shepparton Cup

New Zealand Cup hero Kingman has the draw to add to his dominance of the great Leap To Fame in Saturday night’s $50,000 Group 3 Shepparton Gold Cup (2690m). The pair scared off their rivals, leaving just a field of five in the second leg of Victoria’s six-race Summer of Glory series. Kingman drew ideally to use his gate speed and lead from the pole, while Leap To Fame will have to do the grunt work from gate three.It’s likely the pair will pull away from the field a long way out given their superiority over the other three runners: New Yorker (gate two), Our Luciano (four) and Western Sonador (five). Hopes dual NZ Cup winner Swayzee would tackle the race were dashed when trainer Jason Grimson instead opted to stay at Menangle for a 2300m free-for-all on Saturday night.

BB just keeps winning

Brett Beckwith, the USA's representative at last year's World Driving Championship around New Zealand, has started 2026 as he finished the last season at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. The 22-year-old had the most winners at the Big M in December, with 36, and he has 12 more there this year, including four last Friday night.

Barn free to good home

It will take a bit of moving but there's a huge (and heavy) barn going for free in Canterbury if anyone is interested. It has about 25 boxes, along with feed, tea, and gear rooms. It is a foldable tilt slab-type structure that will need more than 7 x 4 trailer to transport it. The barn is located in West Melton, Canterbury. All queries should be directed to Robin Butt (021 1711752).

Club News : Methven

The next meeting at Methven is rapidly approaching with the first race at noon on Sunday 25 January. This meeting is sponsored by the combined Clubs of Canterbury. Regular promotion, the Horse of the Day, will also be back. One horse is randomly selected and connections receive a magnum of champagne, if that horse wins its race then the owners grab an extra $1,000 the trainer $300 and winning driver an extra $200. This very thing happened at our December meeting in Race 8, the "Evolution Vets Pace" won by Forever Miki and trained by Brent and Tim White. The track is in terrific condition with the recent rain and efforts of track committee led by Laurence Hanrahan and groundsman Steve 'Rowdy' Williams who also had an exciting day at the December meeting being owner and trainer of the winner of Race 1, Lauzelle.