News Briefs : October 15

A half century for D Mac, the WDC campaign for J Mac, Barry's triumphant return, and Miki's new record in North America all feature in this week's News Briefs.

50 for D Mac

When Brianna won at Addington last Wednesday it gave Ashburton-based trainer-driver David McCormick his 50th training win. McCormick's first training success was with Charlotte Wood in the 1982 Group 3 New Zealand 2YO Trotting Stakes at Addington. His best season was in 2024 when he trained seven winners, thanks to Brianna (6 lifetime wins) and the now 15 race winner Maui. McCormick has also had 39 wins as a driver. In 2009 three generations of McCormicks all drove in the same race at Forbury Park with all three horses trained by David. He was joined by father Doug and son Lawrence, with the latter winning on Cathy Combo.

J Mac readies for WDC

Former world champion James MacDonald has been given his Canadian colours ahead of next month's World Driving Championship in New Zealand. Naturally enough he will wear red and white silks prominently featuring the Maple Leaf. “It’s a great competition, and I’m just grateful to be representing Canada again,” said MacDonald. “It’s the best — there’s nothing like mixing it up and putting the red and white on.”
MacDonald is a previous world champion, having won at home in 2017. The WDC starts at Kaikoura on November 2 and finishes at Addington on NZ Cup day.

For more information go to wdc25.nz

Parli Italiano?

Harness Racing New Zealand is on the look out for a fluent Italian speaker to help out during the upcoming World Driving Championship. The WDC around New Zealand in November features 10 of the world's best drivers including Italy's representative Giampaolo Minnucci, who was Varenne's regular driver during his history-making career. Varenne is widely regarded as the world's greatest trotter ever. If anyone based in New Zealand could act as an interpreter during the WDC or knows anyone who could help please contact courtney@hrnz.co.nz

Barry back in the bike

It's like he was never away. After six years (and multiple hip operations) Hall of Famer Barry Purdon was back in the sulky at Alexandra Park on Friday night and it was the perfect return. The 70-year-old guided hot favourite Higher Power to the lead in the Due Drop Events Centre Handicap Trot and then held on to win by a neck from a fast finishing Pretty In Pink. On-going hip issues and half a dozen surgeries has sidelined the harness racing great in recent years but now that he's healthy he'd decided to get back in the bike "to keep my hand in". It was his first race day drive since 2019 and his first win since May 2017.

Terror's winning double

Kimberly Butt's driving double at Motukarara on Sunday was also a dual success for stallion and three-time New Zealand Cup champion Terror To Love. The Leeston-based trainer-driver had wins with Kiss The Girls (Terror To Love - Duarunner) and To Ri Ruby (Terror To Love - Julia Lady) to give her 25 wins in 2025. And both winners were at good money too. Kiss The Girls paid $17 with To Ri Ruby at $34. Terror To Love officially retired from stallion duties earlier this year.

Miki you're so fine

Miki Shan N (Always B Miki) has made history after breaking the 1:50 barrier at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino in Canada. The winning time of 1:49.8 was the fastest mile ever at the Charlottetown Driving Park. It beat the old record of 1:50.2. An eight-race winner in this country for Maurice McKendry, Miki Shan has now won 12 of 20 starts in North America this year.

New round of Metro Heats and Finals

Another round of Metro Series Heats will be held at Alexandra Park this Friday. There will be three $15,000 heats, two for the pacers and one for the trotters, followed by more heats next Friday (October 24) before the $35,000 Finals on October 31. The last round of Finals were held at Alexandra Park last month with Confederate winning the Pacers event and Bravehearthighlander taking out the Trotters Final.

Train ride to Kaikoura anyone?
 
Time is running out for racegoers to get onboard The Whale Train for Kaikoura's two day meeting next month. Held over Marlborough Anniversary weekend the Sunday meeting on November 2 will feature the opening rounds of the 2025 World Driving Championship while Monday's card will be highlighted by the 100th running of the Kaikoura Cup. This year Pounamu Tourism is offering two return train trips from Christchurch on its Whale Train - a retro, red and white, 1950s classic DA locomotive. Both leave and return on the same day. The Sunday trip leaves Christchurch at 8.30am and returns at 6.15pm, with a one and a half hour window at the races while Monday's trip departs at 8.30am and returns at 10.15pm, giving travellers the opportunity to catch all the day's action on course. The cost for a family of four is $399, with adults at $169 and children at $69. Those wanting to make enquiries should go to : www.pounamutourismgroup.com or contact :  paul@pounamutourismgroup.com

Club News : Invercargill

The $40,000 Group 3 Dark Horse Special Handicap Trot is the feature race at the Invercargill Harness Racing Club’s race meeting at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Thursday (16 October). Raced over 2200 metres at 6.37pm it is the highlight of a nine-race programme scheduled to start at 3.27pm. Admission on the day will be free and the twilight event means that racing continues through to 7.03pm.

Club News : Motukarara Trotting Association Incorporated AGM (Mot workouts)

The AGM will be held at 6.30pm on Monday, 20 October 2025 at the Motukarara Raceway. All current and prospective members are welcome. The workouts are run by a small, but enthusiastic group of volunteers who would appreciate more members to contribute their ideas. We therefore want to invite all the local owners, trainers, and other interested parties to join our organisation and provide their input into how we can build the workouts bigger and better. Currently membership only costs $5 per annum – less than a cup of coffee! For more information please email Lyn at motukararaworkoutsv2@gmail.com.