News Briefs : January 7

A change in trials commentaries, a change in date for two 3YO Trotting features and the New Zealand Cup winner's next assignment all feature in this week's News Briefs. 

Change to trials commentaries 

HRNZ wish to advise of a change to the broadcast coverage model for non-race day trials, as notified by Entain. From 1 January 2026, Entain will transition to a remote, post-production commentary model for all non-race day trials. This means commentary will no longer be captured live on-course. Importantly, Entain has confirmed that trial replays with commentary overlaid will be made available within 24 hours of the trial being run.

The change is being introduced to:

Improve consistency and quality of coverage across all venues
Reduce on-course operational requirements and risk
Deliver a more efficient and sustainable broadcast model for the NZ racing product

Any queries should be directed to : matthew.peden@hrnz.co.nz

Swapsies for 3Y0 Trotting features

There's been a change of dates for both the Breckon Farms Northern Trotting Derby and the IRT Sires Stakes 3YO Trotters Championship at Alexandra Park. To better aid the flow of these two races, and noting the Trotting Derby will be run over 2700 metres and the Sires Stakes over 2200 metres, the races will now be run in an alternate order to what was initially programmed.

The revised dates are as follows:

• IRT Sires Stakes 3YO Trotters Championship – now to be run on May 1 May,2026
• Breckon Farms Northern Trotting Derby – now to be run on May 8, 2026

Please get in touch with the HRNZ Bureau should you have any queries at bureau@hrnz.co.nz.

Hanna back in winner's circle 

Carl Hanna had his first winner as a driver for more than 12 years when My Bonnie Lass took out the first at Cromwell yesterday for trainer Brent McIntyre. It was his 33rd career win in the sulky but his first since Liam Sienna at Gore in 2013. He was a junior driver back then. He has also had nine wins as a trainer in his own right.

Changes for Purdons in 2026 

As recently announced,  the father-son training partnership of Mark and Nathan Purdon officially ended on December 31, with Mark now training a small team out of Matamata and Nathan at Pukekohe. Among Mark's horses will be topliners Akuta and Oscar Bonavena while Nathan will train the likes of Rubira, Pantani, Alecto and Look To Da Stars.

Pinseeker's earnings go past $250K

What a bargain buy Pinseeker is turning out to be. The Jonny Cox-trained Downbytheseaside six-year-old was acquired off gavelhouse for $4,200 in 2020. Now, after his win in the Central Otago Cup at Omakau on January 2, he has won eight races and his earnings have now gone to $266,000 for his ownership group.

Kingman $1.50 fave despite tough draw

New Zealand Cup hero Kingman will have to overcome the worst possible draw to continue his feature race winning streak on Saturday night. Luke McCarthy’s latest superstar has drawn inside the back row (gate eight) over 1609m in the $75,000 Group Bendigo Cup. It’s the first of six “Cups” in Victoria’s revamped Summer of Glory where a $1 million bonus is available for any pacer who can win four legs, including the $250,000 Hunter Cup on February 14. Kingman is by far the best horse in the Bendigo Cup on recent form, but will need luck and to produce a huge run given the bias towards front-markers at Bendigo. Kingman opened surprisingly short at $1.50 straight after the draw with Hi Manameisjeff ($4.20), Petracca ($6.50), defending champion Bulletproof Boy ($7) and Catch A Wave ($9).

Ballerini bounces back

After disappointing twice during New Zealand Cup week, Aussie trotter Jilliby Ballerini has bounced back fresh up in Victoria. The five-year-old mare was favourite for both the Dominion Trot and the Free For All at Addington but finished fourth and eighth. Over the weekend she gave no-one else a chance, winning the Trotters Free All at Cranbourne for career win number 12.

Emotional win for Tom Nally in WA

Former Southland-based driver Tom Nally had an especially emotional win at Gloucester Park in Western Australia last Friday night. He won the Vale Richie Polak Pace with Miss Knowall for Polak's partner Maryann White just days after his death at age 40. Polak, a former junior diver, suffered serious injuries in 2008 and had been confined to a wheelchair and been unable to communicate. "It was a really special win for Maryann who has supported me since I arrived from New Zealand 12 months ago," Nally said post race. The win continues a successful run for the 23-year-old. Late last year he won the first ever Novice Driver Series in Western Australia. He is employed at the top stables of Greg and Skye Bond.