News Briefs - July 15

The first ID win by a mare in nearly 40 years, Jenny Gump's Iron Horse triumph and a Kiwi-bred success in a $500,000 slot race all feature in this week's News Briefs. 

Captains Mistress' quest for ID glory 

Captains Mistress will become just the sixth mare to win the Inter Dominion Pacing Final if she triumphs at Albion Park, Brisbane this Saturday night. The series has been going since 1936 with previous mares to have been crowned champions including two Kiwi stars in Robin Dundee (who dead-heated with Jay Ar at Forbury Park in 1965) and 1971 winner Stella Frost. The last mare to win the IDs was Jodies Babe 37 years ago. She is the only four-year-old mare to have been successful. Remarkably, only three mares have been placed in the top three since. Foreal ran third in 2007 and the great Blossom Lady was third in 1992 and ’93. Captains Mistress, bred by the Southland-based Taffy Limited (Todd and Fleur Anderson), has been in sensational form since joining Jason Grimson's New South Wales stable and has been backed into $2.50 second favourite behind the superstar that is Leap To Fame after drawing well at six. Saturday's ID final will go at 11pm.  

Orange now 21 clear 

With closest rival John Dunn away, Blair Orange has picked an ideal time to extend his lead in the drivers' premiership. Thanks to five wins at Addington, a double last Sunday and a treble last Friday, the seven-time champion now has 95 wins in 2026. He is now 21 wins ahead of Dunn, who's been in Queensland driving Dash Dosh for Tom Bagrie. In the trainers' premiership the Dunns are well clear though with Robert and Jenna on 85 wins, 26 clear of Steve and Amanda Telfer. 

Kiwi-bred success in Brisbane slot race 

At only his second start the Kiwi-bred Havtimemajor took out the $500,000 Group 1 Protostar at Albion Park in Brisbane last Saturday. Raced by Ross Patrick, who also owns multiple Group 1-winning trotter Gus, Havtimemajor was bred by Havtime Breeding's Murray and Sandra Little and headed to Australia in May as an unraced 2YO. Cardigan Jem, one of three runners for Emma Stewart, was second.  Havtimemajor has won both his starts to date, his debut win also coming at Albion Park last month. Gus meanwhile will line up in Saturday's Inter Dominion Final as a red hot favourite after finishing fourth in the second round of heats last Saturday, behind Arcee Phoenix.

Jenny Gump gets $5000 bonus 

Nine-year-old mare Jenny Gump is the Ascot Park Iron Horse for the 2025-26 season. The awards are handed out to the top 10 most raced horses that have started at an Invercargill Harness meeting, and who have won one or more races at Ascot Park over the past 12 months (August 1 2025 - July 31, 2026). Jenny Gump raced 14 times and accrued 44 points to get the $5000 first prize for her connections. The other winners were : Itsallabouthtemoney (41 points), Mr President (39), Superfast, Rakamick and The Greek Freak (all 37), Step It Up A Notch (35), Durrant and Dragon Power (34), and Searing Light (31). They all get $2500.

Stallion seminars 

The NZ Standardbred Breeders Association Stallion Seminar Series is fast approaching. There are three dates  - Breckon Farms in Waikato on Saturday, July 25, Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill on Monday July 27 and then the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch on Wednesday, July 29. All three will be MCed by Trackside presenter and well-known racing identity Brittany Graham.  For more details contact brad@thebreeders.co.nz 

Entries open for Yearling Sales 

Entries for NZB Standardbred’s 2027 National Yearling Sale close at the end of this month. The sales will take place next summer at Karaka on Monday, February 15 and at Christchurch on Wednesday. February 17. “The team are looking forward to getting out and about around the country over the coming months to inspect the yearlings, as we put aim to put together another exceptional catalogue," says NZB Standardbred Manager Cam Bray. Entries close on Friday, July 31. To nominate  yearlings visit NZB Standardbred’s online portal at standardbred.portal.nzb.co.nz. For enquiries about the Portal, contact Grant Inglis (+64 9 298 0055 or email grant.inglis@nzb.co.nz).

Cup day tickets at Addington 

Tickets are now on sale for New Zealand Cup day at Addington on Tuesday, November 10. Prices start at $30 per person for general admission with a variety of options available. For more information click here