News Briefs - June 10

A 50th win for Hayden and Amanda Cullen, a son of Lazarus starring at the Meadowlands, and the return of Ladies Night all feature in this week's News Briefs. 

Half century to Team Cullen 

A winning double at Addington last Friday has helped the husband and wife training combo of Hayden and Amanda Cullen past a significant milestone. When Major Cyclone took out the Majestic Horse Float Mobile Trot for Bob Butt it was their 50th win together in partnership. They then went back to back with Trump Card and Blair Orange in the next race, the Peter Baken Retirement Pace. The pair have built up a strong team and an excellent strike rate over the past two seasons and have now 22 wins this year including Group 1 success with Secret Wish in the Magness Benrow 3YO Fillies Final at Alexandra Park. 

Dunns lead now 25 

Team Dunn has a 25-win buffer over Team Telfer nearing the halfway stage of the 2026 national trainers premiership. Robert and Jenna Dunn have 74 wins so far this year with the Stonewall Stud pairing of Steve and Amanda Telfer on 49. Last year the Telfers claimed their second premiership with a record haul of 171 wins. John Dunn is second in the drivers' premiership with 64, trailing eight-time champion Blair Orange by 11. In the junior driver ranks Carter Dalgety is on 48, 11 ahead of closest challenger Wilson House.

Son of Lazarus blitzes around The Big M   

Voukefalas, a son of two-time New Zealand Cup winner and multi-million dollar earner Lazarus, has produced the fastest mile in North America so far this year, stopping the clock in a stunning 1:47.2 at The Meadowlands on a rain-affected track. He ran his last half in 53.6. It was his 13th win in 59 starts. Lazarus now stands at Wai Eyre Farm in North Canterbury.  

Streak over for Beau Jangles 

The unbeaten run of Beau Jangles is over, beaten by Odds On Mr Mamba in the North America Cup eliminations at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Ontario, Canada. 
Odds On Mr Mamba won in 1:48.4. He has now won nine from 10 starts and last year became the fastest 2YO in history when he won at Harrah's Hoosier Park in Indiana in 1:47.8.Going into the race Beau Jangles, the reigning North American Horse of the Year, was 15 from 15. The $1m North America Cup will be held this weekend with Dexter Dunn driving Brandon Blvd. So far this year Dunn has had 44 wins with stakes earnings of $1.4m. 

Mossdale Ben's winning run continues   

Kiwi-bred pacer Mossdale Ben is the third highest earner in North America this year, following his 22nd career win at the weekend. He won the $250,000 Battle Of Lake Erie at Northfield Ohio by a nose from Prince Hal Hanover in 1:48.8. Bred by Archie Affleck in Southland, the son of Rocknroll Dance  won eight in this country for trainers Greg and Nina Hope before heading to the USA. He has won $US312,000 this year.

Another round of Metro Heats 

Five $15,000 Metro Series Heats will feature at Alexandra Park on Friday. The three Trotters Heats will be held at (R1) 5.23pm, (R3) 6.16pm and (R6) 7.45pm while the Pacers clash in Race 5 (7.12pm) and Race 7 (8.20pm). The first four trotters and first five pacers from each heat will qualify for their respective $35,000 finals on Friday, June 26, if nominated.  

To see the Auckland fields click here 

Sunday's win 11 years in the making 

After more than a decade since his last win Shannon Manawatu took out Sunday's Amateur Drivers race at Addington on Sunday. He steered Putere Boy to victory in his first start for trainer Darren Keast in the XCM Group Mobile Pace. Manawatu's last win was in November 2015. He has now had four wins overall.

Club News : Addington 

The ever popular Ladies Night returns to Addington this Friday night. It's always a real crowd-pleaser with drinks, dinner, fashion and heaps of prizes and  entertainment.  For more information go to addington.co.nz. There will be also a thetrots.nz stand there to promote the website and the next Firsties event  at Addington on July 3. Firsties is a new initiative aimed at getting a younger crowd to the races. For more information go to thetrots.nz

Hororata winter fund-raiser 

The Hororata Trotting Club will hold a winter fund-raiser at Addington (Silks Lounge) on Friday, June 19. Tickets costing $120 per person include dinner and all drinks. Auctions and raffles will be held throughout the night with many items up for grabs including  jewellery (diamond earrings worth $1200), a weekend in Wanaka, a round of gold at Shirley Golf Club, service fees to Pebble Beach, Lather Up and Royal Aspirations, food vouchers,  homeware, hair straighteners  and more. Contact Lisa:  lhowson@hswaccounting.co.nz