News Briefs - March 11

Upcoming work on the Rangiora all-weather track, the returns of Ricky and Ron and the death of a harness racing star all feature in this week's News Briefs.

Work to be done on Rangiora track

An upgrade on the Rangiora all-weather track is scheduled for next week. Under the supervision of HRNZ's Track Facilities Manager John Denton, the work will be carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 17 and 18. The last meeting on the track was on New Year's Day with recent trials scheduled there being transferred to Addington. Assuming the work progresses as planned, trials will resume at the track on Tuesday, March 24. If there are any queries please contact bureau@hrnz.co.nz.

The return of R T May

Ricky May will make his return to the racetrack at Addington this Friday, with five confirmed drives. The champion driver hasn't been to the races since collapsing while working on the family farm at Methven in November last year. He has since had the necessary medical clearances to get back in the sulky. He will drive Emma Swan (R1), Mighty Flying Lou (R7), Harriet's Moment (R8), Seaside Brucie (R9) and Major Performer (R10).

Ron Matheson primed for return

At age 85, Southlander Ron Matheson is staging a comeback of sorts. His colours, complete with blue and black braces, are set for a racetrack return for the first time since 1988. He has decided to get his colours back ahead of his three-year-old filly Blondie's expected debut this year. Alister Black bought the horse on his behalf at the National Yearling Sale in Christchurch in 2024 for $18,000. Black is now training the Always B Miki - Zingara filly who is a full sister to four-race winner Elton J. As a trainer Matheson had one start with Miss Smuggler at Forbury Park in 1988 and seven with Flying Brook in 1985-86. He also raced Jaccka Laird along with son (and Gore trainer) Shane Matheson. He had two wins in this country in 2005/06 before winning another eight across the Tasman. So how did Blondie get her name? "That's because she had a blonde tail but it's just about disappeared by now." Matheson is hopeful the filly will be ready to debut at the races "in the next two months".

The Duke debuts at trials

Duke Of Bourbon, the highest priced trotter at the 2025 National Yearling Sales at Karaka, has had his first public outing. The Face Time Bourbon - Dance Craze two-year-old, who sold for $240,000, finished a close up third at yesterday's trials at Pukekohe. Trained by Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan, Duke Of Bourbon's time of 2:11.2 was just outside the qualifying mark.

Vale Sokyola

The winner of 28 races, including back-to-back Miracle Miles, Sokyola has died in Australia, aged 29. The mighty pacer amassed nearly $2m in stakes. Over the past year he battled Sidewinders' Syndrome which impacts a horse's gait and movement. He started his career with a 10th placing at Roxburgh in 2000 and had two wins from eight starts here before heading across the Tasman. His two Miracle Mile successes came in 2003 and 04.

Mare stamps her class

Penny Black re-emphasised her status as Western Australia's best mare when winning the Lombardo Pace at Gloucester Park for the second straight year over the weekend. Bred by Sires' Stakes executive Martin Pierson, Penny Black is two from two this year and looks set for a big 2026 in WA. She has now won 18 races from 42 starts. She left New Zealand in 2024 having had one win here from six starts.

Marketplace's sister sells in Sydney  

A full sister to last year's champion three-year-old Marketplace has sold for $80,000 at the Nutrien sale in Sydney. The Cullen Who - Bettor's Delight yearling was sold by N40 Racing's Josh Davine to prolific owner Mick Boots, who was very busy at the sale. He owns more than 300 horses on both sides of the Tasman including the mare of the moment Captains Mistress.