News Briefs : October 8

Laidlaw's first win

Waikato-based Brendon Laidlaw had his first training success when the only horse he trains  Mr Miki won at Alexandra Park on Friday night. It came about in the weirdest of circumstances when Hes Not That Into U looked assured of victory only to take a sharp left turn just short of the finishing post. He was later relegated from first to second. Despite that Laidlaw was more than happy saying "to win on Holmes DG night was awesome." Laidlaw juggles his training at Cambridge Raceway around his job as a fencing contractor. His first win came at his 24th attempt as a trainer.

Orange's first Group win

In the Holmes DG Harrison Orange secured his first Group victory as a driver, piloting Sooner The Bettor to victory. The Holmes D G has Group 3 status and is an automatic qualifier for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington on Tuesday, November 11. It was Orange's 55th win this year as he continues to make a huge impact since his first win in August last year.

Holmes' 800th

Robbie Holmes claimed his 800th driving success when Dreams Pat, who he also trains, won at Wyndham last Thursday. He has also had 593 wins as a trainer. His first driving win was as a junior driver with Half Mast 40 years ago in 1985.  

Hill's 300th

It was a double celebration for the Hill family when Patiro won at Methven on Sunday. It was a win for young driver Seth Hill and a 300th career success for his father Brendon "Benny" Hill. He has 21 in partnership with Mark Jones with the rest on his own account.

Williams' 100th

When Rock Or Bust also won at Addington on Friday Tim Williams secured his 100th win for the year. It's the third time he's got to three figures in a season. His current tally puts him second in the 2025 drivers' premiership, 28 behind Blair Orange.

Eurostyle out of Dominion

The well-performed Eurostyle has been withdrawn from the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. The 11-race winner, trained by Derek and Adele Jones, was 17th in this week's rankings, just two places outside the cut-off, prior to her withdrawal.  

Harness 5000 close to 200

The weekly Harness 5000 tracker is about to hit 200. The tracker is updated weekly depending on how many horses have become eligible for the Harness 5000 at Ashburton on December 21. The series, featuring 12 $60,000 finals, is for trotters and pacers whose sire stood for an advertised retail service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception and to be eligible horses must compete in at least five race day starts between July 3 - December 9,2025. The "168" on the tracker signifies correlation to the maximum number of horses that can compete on the day, based on 12 races of 14 horse fields. Right now the figure is well past that at 195. It is anticipated that around 350 horses will be in the mix come December, though this figure could fluctuate. So far the biggest categories are for the 5YO and older Entires and Geldings. There are currently 45 pacers and 42 trotters.

New round of Metro Heats and Finals

Another round of Metro Series Heats and Finals have been confirmed for Alexandra Park in October. Two $15,000 heats will be held for both 3YO and older R35-50 Pacers and Trotters on October 17 and 24, with the $35,000 Pacing and Trotting Finals a week later. 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.

$1m sales topper at Lexington

A record $1m has been outlaid for a yearling filly at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sales in Kentucky. Dejeuner, a daughter of Walner out of French Cafe, sold to Noel Daley during the opening session. The previous top price for a yearling filly was $925,000 for trotter Rani Hanover at the sales last year. Three trotting colts have sold for at least $1m previously. The sale topped $US60m for the fourth time with 890 yearlings being sold over the five days.  New Zealand breeding operation Mason Bloodstock sold two colts at the sale, Lot 632 Virgin King (Huntsville - Virginontherocks) for $US42,000 ($NZ72,000) and  Rodeo Stranger (Tall Dark Stranger - Rodeo Beach) for $US30,000 ($NZ51,000).

To see about Mason Bloodstock's sales experience click here

Fastest 2YO ever 

It's been another incredible week for Dexter Dunn in North America. Included in his achievements was a new world record when Odds On Mr Mamba became the fastest two-year-old in harness racing history  at  Harrah's Hoosier Park.  The win came in the Indiana Sires' Stakes.  Odds On Mr Mamba's time was 1:47.8 win, eclipsing the previous record set by Sippinonsearoc (1:48.4)  set last year at the Red Mile in Kentucky.  Dunn, the  five-time USA Driver of the Year,  has 231 wins and stakes earnings of $US11.8m for 2025, and is  second only to Jason Bartlett ($12.2m).
 
Raklou wins second up in WA

Former southerner Raklou has had her first win in Western Australia. She was third on debut from Gary Hall senior's stable at Gloucester Park and followed that up with a win at the same venue on Friday night. She had four wins from 16 starts for trainer-driver Peter Hunter before being sold to Western Australian interests in December. Raklou was one of three winners on the night for driver Gary Hall Junior, who will be Australia's representative at the World Driving Championship being held around New Zealand in November.