News Briefs - August 2

Some stats for 2022-23 season

While the harness racing year is now from January 1 to December 31, the new 2023/24 season got officially underway yesterday. And here's a fun fact. In the year ending July 31, 2023 2453 standardbreds raced in this country, and they each raced an average 9.5 times during the year. The figure for the corresponding period the previous year was very similar, 2457 horses at 9.63 starts.

Carter makes 100th start a winning one

Jimmy Carter's 14th career win came from start number 100 at Addington on Friday. The Phil Williamson-trained eight-year-old trotter recorded his fifth win this year when powering to a nearly four length win over Magic Dash and Spy Da Moment. The gelding's now won $163,340.

Star performers heading to Geelong

Miracle Mile winner Catch A Wave and gifted pacer Captain Ravishing will light up Geelong on Friday night. But the glamour pair won’t work together as they prepare for the $2.1mil TAB Eureka at Menangle on September 2. Instead, Catch A Wave will have a “serious” workout with proven open-class performer Mach Dan, while Captain Ravishing will work separately with a partner.

Dexter into big final

Paying $11 for the win Walner Payton and driver Dexter Dunn have qualified for the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks final at the Meadowlands in New Jersey this weekend. The Walner filly, who's prepared by another ex-pat Kiwi in Chris Ryder, took out the first $40,000 Hambletonian Oaks elimination in 1:51.8. It was her sixth win in 20 starts. She has career earnings of more than $800,000.

Expos to get underway soon

The Standardbred Breeders' Stallion Expo gets underway at Auckland tomorrow (Thursday, August 3)before making its way down the country. The first expo will be at the Lyell Creek Lounge at Alexandra Park from 6.00pm with nibbles, cash bar and bistro meals available for purchase.
The Canterbury Expo at Addington Raceway (Terror To Love Lounge) will be held two days later on Sunday, August 6, starting at 11am. Between 11 and the first race, interviews with all the studs with focus on the new sires. There will be a buffet provided at 1pm. EFTPOS bar, no cash.
The third and final expo will be at Ascot Park Hotel, Invercargill on Tuesday, August 8 with doors opening at 4pm and the presentations starting at 4.30pm. Refreshments will be provided with bar and light snacks. For catering purposes please advise Gail Paisley, [email protected]

Gavelhouse auction closes tonight

The latest gavelhouse auction closes from 7pm tonight with 12 lots up for sale. Included is four-year-old Creatine gelding Ngauruhoe who has won two from 26 for Morrinsville trainer Ross Paynter, including a last start win at Cambridge on July 20. At last look Ngauruhoe had met its reserve and was at $2300.

To see the auction click here

Turnovers for this week

Harness racing's turnovers and Gross Betting margins for the past week were :

Addington (Thursday) $906,000 and GBM 23.4%
Auckland (Friday) $663K, 19.9%
Addington (Sunday) 724K, 29.8%