News Briefs - June 24

Milestones for two of the best, a first for Habibi Inta and a track record at Cambridge all feature in this week's News Briefs.  

More accolades for Dunn and Mitchell

There have been further milestones for two of the country's top drivers John Dunn and Todd Mitchell. On Friday night Dunn secured his 1900th career win in this country when Franco Harlem waltzed away to an impressive eight length win at Addington while Mitchell had his 1300th win when Bruno Brigade upset at big odds for trainers Andrew and Lyn Neal at Cambridge.   Dunn (1901 wins) is 10th on the all-time list, headed by Tony Herlihy with 3743 wins, while Mitchell, a four-time New Zealand Cup winner, is 19th. This season Dunn has 69 wins to be second in the premiership behind Blair Orange (81) while the Dunns'  Diamond Racing stable are the country's leading trainers with 78 wins, 25 clear of defending champions Steve and Amanda Telfer.

Change for Wyndham meeting

Because of on-going issues with the infrastructure at Wyndham the club's meeting there on August 2 has been transferred to Winton.  The racecourse suffered major damage in high winds last year particularly to its grandstand.

First qualifier for stock of Habibi Inta

The two-time Group 1-winning Habibi Inta produced his first qualifier when KD Prosecco (Habibi Inta - KD Spirit) won at the Rangiora trials last week. Trained by John "Coaster" Howe, the two-year-old filly was driven by Sam Thornley and completed the 2000m mobile in 2:38.2, well under the qualifying time of 2:42. Habibi Inta won 11 from 42 including the 2019 Dominion Trot. KD Prosecco was bred by Grant Beckett from Phoebe Standardbreds where Habibi Inta stands at stud for $2500.  

Track record for Blazing Louie

Blazing Louie's win at Cambridge last Friday also set a new track record. The 2200 metre (standing start) is not commonly raced at the track with the Nicky Chilcott trained and driven Sweet Lou seven-year-old winning the MBS Advisors Chartered Accountants Handicap Pace in 2:40.92. That beat the old mark of 2:42 set by Cambo in 2011. It was Blazing Louie's sixth win in 35 starts.  

Nymbal wins first up in Oz

Promising Lazarus three-year-old Nymbal has wasted no time in getting into winning form across the Tasman. Previously trained by Brian and Gareth Hughes, Nymbal left New Zealand last month after winning one from 11 here. He made his Australian debut on Saturday night, winning the Group 3 Redcliffe Derby in Queensland at double figure odds ($12) for trainers Robbie and Kerry Ann Morris.

Encouraging signs for ID champ

Reigning champion Arcee Phoenix looks to be tracking the right way ahead of this month's Inter Dominions at Albion Park. The winner of the 2025 Trot Slot at Cambridge, Arcee Phoenix finished third at Melton in Victoria on Saturday night after sitting parked for trainer-driver Chris Svanosio. It was a much improved effort after his unplaced effort at the same track earlier in the month. The Inter Dominions start in Brisbane on July 4 with the Grand Finals a fortnight later.

Winning streak over

The winning streak of On To Norway is over. The Indiana sensation had won his previous 27 starts and had not been beaten April 2025.  But over the weekend he was beaten by 41-1 outsider Mr Mouton at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. The winning time in the Graduate Series for 4YO Trotters was 1:50.4. It was Mr Mouton's sixth win from 15 starts for trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt. Meanwhile former Kiwi champion Dexter Dunn had another three wins at The Big M on Saturday night to take his tally in 2026 to 60, with stakes earnings of over $US2.5m. He is currently 17th overall, with Jason Bartlett the runaway leader with earnings of $5.3m (305 wins).  

Trots Talk change

Radio show Trots Talk will have a change of format while the FIFA World Cup is on. Instead of being broadcast on Sport Nation between 9 and 10am on Sunday it will be a podcast available through the HRNZ website. The show, hosted by Greg O'Connor, will have a big focus on Friday night racing which this week is at Addington and Alexandra Park.