News Briefs - January 21

The last chances to buy awards tickets, important updates on the HRNZ website, and milestones at Marlborough all feature in this week's News Briefs.

Get your HRNZ award tickets

Anyone wanting to go to the HRNZ annual awards at Addington Raceway on Saturday, January 31 better be quick. The event is nearly a sell out and the deadline for people to buy tickets is Monday, January 26 at midday. Please email courtney@hrnz.co.nz for more details or to secure your place on the big night.

Website updates - fixed odds and Harness 5000

Fixed odds prices have been temporarily removed from the HRNZ website due to a technical issue impacting functionality. Work is underway to make the necessary improvements and fixed odds are expected to return to the website once a solution is implemented. The fixed odds are still available on tab.co.nz. And the Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 leaderboards are back up and running on the website for 2026. Qualifying for the second edition of the Harness 5000 started on January 1 and will run through to November 22, 2026. The Harness 5000 will feature 12 $60,000 finals at Ashburton on December 6.

Rescheduled 2YO Young Guns Heat

Owing to the abandonment of this Friday's 2YO Fillies Young Guns Heat 1 at Alexandra Park, the race has been rescheduled for Friday, 6 February, also at Alexandra Park. This rescheduling still provides an adequate lead-up of two weeks into the second heat, which remains scheduled for Friday, February 20.

Training milestones at Marlborough

Congratulations to trainers Grant McStay and Chris and Shirley Morrison for milestone wins over the past week. McStay trained his 50th winner when Goodoldayz won for Robbie Holmes at Marlborough on Sunday. His first training success was with Seel Their Fate at Methven in 2003. The Morrisons had their first win in partnership when Dark Ghana won at Marlborough on Friday, only to go back to back on Sunday. Chris Morrison has also had nine wins on his own account, starting with Danny at Timaru in 2001.  

Hawera hosts first heats of Revell Douglas series  

The second heat of the Hygain Revell Douglas Memorial Series was run at Hawera yesterday with Emily Johnson, wearing Revell Douglas' colours, winning with favourite Melton Mogul. The first heat on the first day of the meeting was taken out by Harrison Orange and The Night Agent. He also finished second yesterday with Kawactus to take a narrow overall lead on 29 points, two ahead of Johnson. The seven heat series will be held over the next month, culminating in the final two heats at Cromwell on February 20/22. The four winners of the series so far have been Seth Hill (2025), Wilson House (2024), Leah Hibell (2023) and Alicia Harrison(2022). The series is run in honour of Revell Douglas who tragically drowned in 2021.

Brett Gray tri at Invercargill

In more than 20 years as a trainer Brett Gray got a first at Ascot Park, Invercargill last Thursday. He trained the trifecta in the Southern Bred Southern Reared Pace with Anita Mary, Blaze Lightening and Jaccka Evan. The tri paid $331.60. They were driven by Matthew Williamson, Mark Hurrell and Daniel Anderson.

Last on-farm parades before Yearling Sales

With Southland and the North Island completed, the last of the NZB Standardbred National Yearling sale on-farm parades will be held in Canterbury in just over a week. There will two days of inspections, on Monday, February 2 and Tuesday, February 3.

To see the locations and times click here

The sales will be held at Karaka on Monday February 16 starting at 1pm , with the Christchurch sales two days later on Wednesday February 18, from 11 am. In total 320 yearlings will go under the hammer.

Dalgetys to hold another open day

Following on from the success of their first open day last year Kentuckiana Lodge are doing it again next month. Cran and Chrissie Dalgety will open their stables to the public on Saturday February 21, 2026. Go behind the scenes at the stables that have produced Group 1 stars including Republican Party. The open day will be held just days after the conclusion of the 2026 NZB National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.

For more details click here