News Briefs - August 12

Remembering Mick Prendergast's record-equalling win, a looming deadline for Cup and Dominion nominations and Dexter's big day at the Big M all feature in this week's News Briefs.

Vale Mick Prendergast

Mick Prendergast, the former oldest New Zealand reinsman to drive a winner at 81, has died, aged 92. Prendergast equalled the record set by John Burgess with Silverdale Pride in 2008 when he drove his own horse, the trotter Holdon Toyaspurs to win twice at Forbury Park in the 2014-15 season. He trained Holdon Toyaspurs and raced the 8YO with a neighbour Simon Russell. The record has since been surpassed by Luk Chin, the 83-year-old who drove Jasinova to win at Cambridge in May. Michael John (Mick) Prendergast trained Holdon Toyaspurs on his farm at Hyde. He rode Spree  to win a saddle race for pacers at the Cromwell Jockey Club meeting in 1961. He was handicapper for the Hawea Picnic Racing Club for over 40 years. Mick was a brother to Tony, Dick, Maurice, Frank and Owen. Dick trained Simon Katz to win the 1987 Dominion Handicap.

Monday the deadline for Cup and Dominion

Nominations for the $800,000 New Zealand Cup and the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington on Tuesday, November 10 close in just a few days. Initial nominations will be accepted until 3pm NZST Monday, August 17 and will cost $632.50 (including GST) for the Cup and $316.25 (including GST) for the Dominion. So far there have been 13 nominations for the Cup and 18 for the Dominion, with many more expected before Monday's deadline. All nominations should be emailed to bureau@hrnz.co.nz

Second Rising Stars heat finalised

Cran and Chrissie Dalgety will have a strong hand in the second heat of the new Rising Stars series at Addington on Friday night. They will have three in the race (8.59pm) with impressive last start winner Franco Ankara, Razor Horizon and St Paddy. St Paddy was second in the first heat on July 31 won by Franco Lomu. The series is for two-win 2YO Colts and Geldings and will culminate in a $30,000 Final at Addington on August 21.  

DD's double at The Big M

Kiwi star Dexter Dunn became the first driver since Mike Lachance in 2003 to win the Meadowlands Pace and the Hambletonian in the same year, following his heroics in New Jersey over the weekend. Dunn and Apex just nosed out Big Ranger in an epic battle in the $1m Hambletonian for three-year-old trotters. It was his first win in The Hambo. The time of 1:49.4 for Apex was a new Hambletonian record, a track record for a 3YO trotter and was one fifth of a second outside the world record. Dunn's win in the Meadowlands Pace came with Brandon Blvd last month. He's just the sixth driver ever to complete the double. At The Big M on Sunday Dunn had three wins on the day, also winning with Bourbonista and Super Chapter. He now has 157 wins in 2026 with stakes earnings of $US6.8m, to be third behind Jason Bartlett ($7.6m) and Yannick Gingras ($6.9m). 

Trotters on the move

Two well-performed northern trotters have headed south. Ten-race winner Confessional has moved from Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett to Alan Clark's stable at Elgin near Ashburton. He also now co-owns the Father Patrick six-year-old after buying him off Gavelhouse. Before going to the Wallis-Hackett barn Confessional started out with trainer Paul Nairn. And Look To Da Stars, a five race winner, has moved from Nathan Purdon to Bob Butt at Woodened Beach.

Like mother like daughter

When Montara became trainers David and Stacey White's latest winner at Addington on Friday night she emulated her dam Far From True who was the combo's first ever winner together at Rangiora in 2019. Far From True won three races before heading to the broodmare paddock. The Whites, who are now based at Ashburton Raceway, have had 18 wins together with their biggest success coming with their 2025 Rowe Cup winner Bet N Win.

Club News : Addington

The NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club (Addington) is looking for nominations for its Board. Nominations close on Monday, August 24 and all applications should be sent to CEO Brian Thompson - brian.thompson@addington.co.nz. A Board Appointments Panel will review all applications and present the five candidates with the most appropriate skillset for the current / future needs of the Club to the 550-strong membership. The membership will complete a vote in early October, with the successful applicants being announced at the Annual General Meeting held at Addington Raceway on Monday 19 October 2026 at 5:30pm.

For more information click here