News Briefs - July 8

Another excellent Friday Night Lights, Leap To Fame's amazing strike-rate and the return of Always B Miki all feature in this week's News Briefs. 

Third record in a row 

The run of record-breaking Friday night turnovers has continued. Last Friday there was a combined turnover of $2.069m from Addington and Cambridge. Addington's total of $1.248m was up more than 25% on last year, while Cambridge's $821K was up 93%, though last year's corresponding meeting was on a Thursday. It's the third week in a row that there has been a Friday Night Lights winter record. The previous Friday's total was $1.96m. The total turnover for the week was $3.282m, up more than $50,000 though there were only four meetings this year, one fewer than in 2025. The increase in turnovers follows a recent decision to change winter racing in the north, with just one weekly meeting every Friday at either Alexandra Park or Cambridge. Friday Night Lights continues this week with meetings at Auckland and Addington.  

Replacement Trials Opportunities – Canterbury

Owing to the abandonment of this week's Ashburton Trials (July 7) , two replacement trial opportunities have been arranged for the region later this week at Ashburton and Addington. 

Ashburton Trials – Saturday, July 11 
A full trial meeting will be conducted at Ashburton on Saturday, July 11. Nominations should be made online as normal, or by contacting Richard Bromley (021 888 900), by 1.00pm Friday, 10 July.

Addington Qualifying Trials – Sunday, July 12 
Up to four Qualifying Trials will be conducted at Addington prior to the race meeting on Sunday, July 12. Nominations should be made online as normal, or by contacting Cam Kirkwood (03 964 1183), by 1.00pm Friday, 10 July.

Any queries should be directed to bureau@hrnz.co.nz

Nelson will also be running trials on Sunday, July 19. For more information contact Kath - eginton.jones@xtra.co.nz 

Larry's incredible strike-rate 

There's good reason why they call Leap To Fame the GOAT. The superstar pacer has a phenomenal winning strike rate of 78.9%. His win in Saturday's heat of the 2026 Inter Dominions at Albion Park was his 71st in 90 starts. A winner of over $6m, "Larry" has finished in the top three 88 times and the only two times he hasn't he finished fourth. It's an amazing record for a horse who has won everything bar the New Zealand Cup. He is a $2 favourite on the TAB to correct that at Addington on Tuesday, November 10. 

Always B Miki back in 2026  

After missing the last breeding season here, Always B Miki will be available to New Zealand breeders in 2026. Alabar and Nevele R own the rights to the stallion, who didn't shuttle down under last year because of a leg injury. In 2024-25 he served 113 mares, second only in this country to Sweet Lou. He will be based at Alabar's Victorian base with his chilled semen available in this country from September. His NZ fee will be $10,000, up from $7500.   

Dunn heads up leaderboard 

Champion Kiwi driver Dexter Dunn is on a run in North America. He has now had 82 wins with $3.2m in stakes during 2026 and in a week has gone from 11th to eighth in the overall stakes-earners. One of his standouts performances of late was a win by Brandon Blvd in a career best 1:47.6 at the Meadowlands, ahead of this weekend's $810,000 Meadowlands Pace. Last year's Driver of the Year Jason Bartlett is having another stellar year, with 317 wins and $5.8m in stakes so far.

History repeats for "Heather" 

The Silk Road Final is turning into a good race for One Mhor For Heather. The five-year-old mare took out Sunday's $30,000 Aotea Electric Canterbury Silk Road Final at Addington paying $17 for trainer-driver Robbie Holmes. Her previous win just happened to be in the same race in 2025, paying $21.90, beating home Princess Sadie and Buffy Northstains. She has now won five races from 36 starts.  

Neil William delivers at start 17

There was a nice moment for the Love family when Neil William, a trotting son of Vincent, won his first race, the Continental Event Hire Mobile Trot at Addington on Friday. The horse was named in honour of the late Neil William Love who co-bred the horse along with son Damien. Damien was on course on Friday night to see the five-year-old win his first race at start number 17 for trainer Sam Payne and the country's top driver Blair Orange. Neil William is the eighth foal of the Loves' broodmare Lecerne Lil. Her ninth foal Sweet Maureen is named after Love's mother. The sixth foal Deny Everything has been the most successful so far with 10 wins. He also lined up over the weekend, finishing sixth at Invercargill on Sunday. 

Entries open for Yearling Sales 

Entries for NZB Standardbred’s 2027 National Yearling Sale are now open, with the Sale taking 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