News Briefs : August 17

Vale Paul Harnett

Harness Racing New Zealand sends its condolences to the family of Paul Harnett whose funeral was held earlier this week. A life member of the Kaikoura Trotting Club, he volunteered as a clerk of the course for more than 40 years. He also helped out at the Marlborough gallops and trots. A much-loved member of the community, he was also a District Councillor, and pony club stalwart. The above photo is of Paul receiving a silver plate from the Kaikoura Trotting Club for many years of service. He was 91. 

New job for Edward Rennell

Former long-standing Harness Racing New Zealand Chief Executive Edward Rennell has been confirmed as the new Chief Executive of Greyhound Racing New Zealand, taking over from Glenda Hughes. Rennell had 21 years in charge of HRNZ and has been the General Manager Broadcasting and Operations at the TAB. Rennell will officially join GRNZ next month.

50 up for Cran and Chrissie

Team Dalgety was in full force at Ashburton on Sunday. With son Carter Dalgety in the bike, Black Pearl romped home by more than five lengths to give Cran and Chrissie Dalgety their 50th training success. Their partnership started last year with their 50 wins coming from 311 starts.

Historic milestone across the Tasman

Champion driver Grant Dixon has become the first Queenslander to bring up 5000 wins. Fittingly the 49-year-old won with his top-class pacer Colt Thirty One, who beat favourite Mach Da Vinci at Albion Park. And it wasn't just Dixon who brought up a big milestone - it was also Colt Thirty One's 50th win. Dixon's the third most successful driver in Australia behind Chris Alford (7705 wins) and the late Gavin Lang (6193).

Big win for Himself

Bob Butt's former pacer Himself is going great guns across the Tasman. He's now won four from five starts with his last effort being a commanding victory in the aptly-named Marathon Handicap over 3309m at Gloucester Park. Butt bought the horse for $30,000 at the 2019 National Yearling Sales and had three wins from 11 starts in this country before going to the all powerful Team Bond in Perth earlier this year.

Picket fence form line continues for the Bulldog

The world's fastest standardbred Bulldog Hanover has made it seven wins in a row. In his first outing since his world record 1:45.8 the Bulldog and 10-time Kiwi champion Dexter Dunn have produced another powerhouse performance to win the Dan Patch Stakes in Indiana by nearly three lengths in 1:48.2.

Auction closing tonight

The latest gavelhouse.com/standardbred auction closes from 7pm tonight with 13 lots up for sale. Among the lots being offered are race winners The Governator, Springbank Mason, Moody River and Palisade. To see more click here