News Briefs : Oct 22

A shake up in the NZ Cup and Dominion markets, 500 wins for visiting WDC driver, a free bus service to Ashburton and more Metro heats all feature in this week's News Briefs.

Big moves in NZ Cup and Dominion Trot markets

The market for the $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup has changed hugely following the weekend's racing. Aussie stars Leap To Fame and Swayzee have both drifted while Canterbury Classic winner Republican Party has come in to $3.50. Leap To Fame was at $1.60 and is now at $2.50 following his third in Saturday night's Victoria Cup while two-time champion Swayzee has a bowel infection and is no certainty to make the trip across the Tasman. He is now at $3.20. Victoria Cup winner Kingman is at $4.50 though he is yet to be nominated for the Cup with the only other runner in single figures being We Walk By Faith at $5.50. In the market for the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot superstar mare Keayang Zahara is now at $2.50 even though she's no certainty to make the trip from Victoria. She was a very impressive winner of the Bill Collins at Melton on Saturday night ahead of stablemate Jilliby Ballerina who's now a $3 second favourite for the Dominion, ahead of Oscar Bonavena ($4), Bet N Win ($5.50) and Friday night's Canterbury Park Trotting Cup winner Muscle Mountain ($7).

Stu goes past $200K

With his win in Friday's Group 2 feature Republican Party aka Stu has cruised past $200,000 in earnings for the year. The winning stake of $33,000 has taken him to $232K for 2025. He has had five wins from 10 starts. He is currently fifth behind $1m The Race by betcha winner Leap To Fame ($420K), Marketplace ($356K), TAB Trot winner Arcee Phoenix ($275K) and Bet N Win ($235k).

BB in form ahead of WDC

The United States' representative in the up-coming World Driving Championship (WDC) is a man in form. In the past week Brett Beckwith has gone past 500 wins in North America this year. He is the fourth most successful driver overall with stakes of $5.8m. The top stakes earner so far is Jason Bartlett with $US13m, ahead of New Zealand's champion reinsman Dexter Dunn on $12.5m and 249 wins for the year. Beckwith will wear the Stars and Stripes at the WDC which starts at Kaikoura on Sunday November 2 and runs through to the biggest day of them all, the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup meeting at Addington on Tuesday, November 11.

Travelling to Ashburton for Cup week meeting?

A free bus service is being offered for those wanting to travel from Christchurch to Ashburton for the "Emerging Talent" meeting there on the Thursday of IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup week (November 13). After a very successful meeting last year this is the second year the meeting's being held. All races will be worth at least $17,000. An addition this year will be an Invitation Drivers race. Places are limited for the bus service so it will be done on a first in first served basis. It will leave Christchurch at 11.30 am and return 15 minutes after the last race. Please contact cameron@hrnz.conz for more details or to confirm your booking.

Get your punt on!

Entries for this November's TAB Show Day Punter of the Year Challenge at Addington Raceway are now open. This year's edition will see one major change from previous editions - all transactions will be done on-line whereas last year teams were given a betting voucher and then had to bet on the tote. Each syndicate can have up to four members per team. They will be based on the stables rooftop. Each participant/syndicate must have an on-line TAB account with an opening balance of $600 at the start of the challenge. Entries close at 4pm Thursday, November 13. The Friday (November 14) meeting is always a massive part of Cup week and includes the two $500,000 slot races, the Majestic Horse Floats THE ASCENT and the Hill, Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY.

New round of Metro Heats and Finals

Another round of Metro Series Heats and Finals will be held at Alexandra Park this Friday. The $15,000 heats will be held for both 3YO and older R35-54 Pacers and Trotters, with the $35,000 Pacing and Trotting Finals a week later. The last round of heats were held at Alexandra Park last Friday with Mick Konstantin and Tytate taking out the Pacers' heats while Jasinova gave the remarkable Luk Chin his 201st training success in the Trotters' heat.

To see the Auckland fields this Friday night click here

He Aint Fakin to start at Addington  

Phil Williamson's Australian project He Aint Fakin will make his New Zealand debut at Addington on Friday night. The Oamaru-based Williamson acquired the seven-year-old gelding from across the Tasman after he had 13 wins as a pacer. The decision was made to give him a go as a trotter and after showing up at the trials he is now set to start in Race 3, the IRT  Thanks Craig Thompson (aka The Whale) Mobile Trot at 6.13pm. Williamson has previously said the aspiring trotter had shown some ability in his new gait.

1800+ for John Dunn

John Dunn brought up his 1800th driving success when Petite Armour won at Addington a week ago. It was the just the second start for the What The Hill two-year-old filly. Dunn's first winner was with Scotlyn Jag as a junior driver in 2002. He now has 1802 wins after Bounce N Beyond and Better Be Quick both won at Addington last Friday.

Club News : Addington

Following feedback from the industry, and in conjunction with the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, Wednesday trials at Addington will now be open to:

- Horses requiring qualification
- Horses needing to pass from a specific start type
- Horses that have been stood down to trial by the Stipendiary Stewards.

This change provides additional opportunities for connections to trial and qualify their horses midweek. Preference will continue to be given to qualifiers, with trials limited to four heats.

Club News : Invercargill 

The Tuapeka Harness Racing Club bring their annual Cup Day race meeting to Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill for the fifth year this Sunday, 26 October. The feature race will be the $20,000 Tuapeka Lodge Cup Handicap Pace over 2700m. The meeting is a popular one with good crowds each year due to a programme of great racing along with plenty of free activity for the children making it an ideal day out for the entire family. Race goers can enjoy a day of full hospitality at the Top Of The Park with superb viewing for just $60 per head. Contact Southern Harness Racing’s Promotions Officer Lindsay Beer on 021 351 499 or at lindsay.beer@xtra.co.nz for more information. Childrens entertainment is free on the day with mini jeeps and a bouncy castle while the first 100 children on course will receive a free Mr Whippy ice cream. Kidz Kartz Pony Racing will also be part of the meeting. Keep an eye on the Tuapeka Harness Racing Club page for more information. The first race is timed to start at 12.32pm and admission is free.