News Briefs : October 29

A bumper day's turnover at Ashburton, Francent's winning streak, and the latest from North America all feature in this week's News Briefs.  

Turnover record at Ashburton

A new turnover record was set at Ashburton's Labour Day meeting on Monday. Latest figures from the TAB show that total turnover for the day was $1.88m, $105,000 more than the previous high set last year ($1.77m). The 12-race meeting featured top wins by the likes of Republican Party and Muscle Mountain. At $1.88m the turnover was the second highest ever at Ashburton, behind the $2.18m at the Harness Jewels in 2017.

Seven wins for Francent

With her win at Ashburton on Monday, Francent has become the most successful horse in this country this year. Her win in the Mid Canterbury Trotting Owners Ladies Sprint was her second Group 2 in a row, following on from the Woodlands Mares Spring Sprint Classic at Addington earlier in the month. It was her seventh win in 2025 with the Vincent four-year-old now one win ahead of the likes of Ashburton Flying Stakes winner Republican Party, the unbeaten Jumal as well as Gliding High, Mazeppa and Aquila. Overall Francent, who was bred and initially trained by Robert Higgins before going to Mark Jones, has won eight from 20, with earnings of just over $140,000.

Handicapping changes update

The first report regarding handicapping changes in the sport has been completed and is now with Harness Racing New Zealand. The report will be presented to the Board on November 10. After the Board has seen the report a summary of the Review Panel's findings will be published.

History for Ervin Hanover and Dexter Dunn

Ervin Hanover and champion Kiwi driver Dexter Dunn have combined to pace the fastest ever mile in Canada. They won the Breeders Crown open pace in Milton, Ontario in 1:46.4, lowering the previous best mark set by none other than Bulldog Hanover. It was Ervin Hanover's 10th win from 16 starts this season. Dunn had another Breeders Crown success at the Woodbine Mohawk Park in the 3YO Filly Pace when Miki and Minnie dead-heated with The Last Martini. Reigning Horse of the Year Twin B Joe Fresh, who Dunn also co-owns, was a scratching from the Mares Open Pace. She was later found to have a bruised foot. Dunn has 257 wins and earnings of $US13.6m for the year, placing him second to Jason Bartlett (668 wins) and $US14.2m.

Big battle in North America

Two of the visiting drivers coming to New Zealand for the World Driving Championship are neck and neck so far this year. American rep Brett Beckwith is on 520 wins and $US6.2m for the year while Canada's former world champion James MacDonald is on $US6.16m and 325 wins. They are 15th and 16th on the leaderboard in North America this year. The WDC starts at Kaikoura this Sunday and runs through to IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day at Addington on Tuesday, November 11. Ten of the world's best drivers will be there including New Zealand's rep Blair Orange.

To see more about the WDC go to wdc25.nz

"Bonus" for WDC trainers

Trainers who line up their horses in the up-coming World Driving Championship will be in the running for a bonus. Five Garrards vouchers, each worth $500, will be won by trainers, with each starter entered automatically into the draw for the following meetings :  
Kaikoura (November 2 and 3)
Cambridge (November 5)
Winton (November 9)
Addington (November 7)
Addington November 11
There'll be one winner at each of the above, with all five drawn on Wednesday, November 12. The results will be announced on hrnz.co.nz
 
Penny Black stamps her class

Passed in at the 2021 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale in Christchurch after failing to reach her $10,000 reserve, Penny Black has now earned over $300,000. She has three of her last four starts in Western Australia, the latest being the Group 3 Westinghouse - The Schrader (2130m) at Gloucester Park. She has now won 15 and placed in 10 of her 33 career starts, and has earned more than $328,000 in prizemoney. Penny Black had one win from six starts in this country for trainer Jeremy Young before being exported in January 2024.