News Briefs : March 12

Brian Borcoskie being farewelled this Thursday, a 22nd win for Santanna Mach, and an update on the weanling sale all feature in this week's News Briefs. 

Vale Brian Borcoskie

Well-known harness racing figure Brian Borcoskie will be farewelled this Thursday. He was an owner, breeder, trainer, driver and administrator with strong links to the Amberley Trotting Club where he served as president and patron. The Borcoskies bred many horses over the years including Silk Brocade who won the Ladyship Mile at Harold Park in Sydney as well as the 1999 New Zealand Premier Mares Championships at Addington and Brownie who won nine in this country between 2008-2012 and 17 overall. He had 37 wins as a trainer and 14 as a driver. Sons Brent and Paul are also heavily involved in the sport as trainers and drivers. Brent's most successful horse is 18 race winner The Bloss. Brian Borcoskie's funeral will be held at the Amberley Catholic Church tomorrow (Thursday, March 13)  at 11am. He was 87. HRNZ would like to send its condolences to the Borcoskie family. 

Santanna Mach wins race number 22

How close was Santanna Mach to achieving a fairytale win on the West Coast circuit? On Friday the 11-year-old wonder horse lined up at Westport to complete an amazing statistic. By racing at Patterson Park the Michael House-paced pacer completed the full set - he has now raced at every active harness racing track in the country, and a few that are now no longer going. He didn't win that milestone race, finishing seventh, but just two days later he and driver Kimberly Butt produced a determined finish to win the Lantern Courts Motel Team Teal Pace at Reefton. It was Santanna Mach's 22nd win at start number 225 and took his total earnings past the $250,000 mark.

To read more about Santanna Mach's remarkable racing career click here

House 18 clear in trainers' premiership 

After adding another win at Manawatu yesterday with Goorambat Art, Michael House now has a 18 win lead at the top of the trainers' premiership. House has 35 wins in 2024, with Mark Jones on 17 and Steve and Amanda Telfer next on 16. Blair Orange is again the leading driver on 38 wins, with Sam Ottley on 27 and Wilson House on 25. In the junior drivers Wilson House is two clear at the top from Harrison Orange, who had a double at yesterday's Manawatu meeting. 

Trainers clock up milestones 

Trainers Greg and Nina Hope, Regan Todd and Michael Heenan all recorded milestone wins over the past week or so. The Hopes clocked up their 900th win in partnership when Ar Gee Rulz, driven by son Ben, won at Reefton. The win follows Nina becoming the most successful female trainer in this country when she had win number 899 earlier this month. She overtook Natalie Rasmussen, who had 898 wins in partnership with Mark Purdon. Todd had his 300th training success when Betterthancash and Robbie Close combined to win the Night 'N Day /Tip Top Ice Cream Autumn Cup at Ascot Park, Invercargill while Methven trainer Michael Heenan had his 100th win when Ricky May drove Troubleshooter to victory at Reefton.

Entries Open for 2025 Weanling Sale

Off the back of a record yearling sale, entries for NZB Standardbred’s 2025 National Weanling Sale are now open, with the sale set to be held at Karaka  in Auckland on Thursday, June 26.  The NZB National Weanling Sale (thoroughbred) and NZB Standardbred National Weanling Sale (standardbred) will be held on the same day. Entries are open now  and will close on Thursday 24 April. To nominate your weanlings or yearlings, visit NZB Standardbred’s online portal at standardbred.portal.nzb.co.nz or contact Grant Inglis by calling +64 9 298 0055 or email [email protected].

Team Teal into final week

Team Teal is coming to a close, with the last meetings at Motukarara and Wingatui this Sunday. The annual HRNZ campaign , which started on February 1, raises funds towards ovarian cancer research. On Friday there'll be a major event at Addington Raceway which features the final of the Frocks of the Trots competition. To find out more contact [email protected]

Itsaboutwinning in the USA

An eight-race winner for the then All Stars Stables in this country, Itsaboutallfaith continues to rack up the wins in North America. The Captaintreacherous eight-year-old won the feature pace at Saratoga Springs in New York over the weekend. It was his third win in five starts this year. He paid $16 for the win, with a mile rate of 1:54.6. He was exported to Australia where he had one win in 2022 before heading stateside.

Sires' Stakes latest

The latest New Zealand Sires' Stakes newsletter is out, and they are amped up about Auckland this Friday night.

To see more click here  

Trainers urged to buy scanners

Trainers are being reminded to buy their own scanners, now that there aren't any freeze brands. The reminder comes after a recent case of mistaken identity of a horse following a paddock mix up. Scanners are available for less than $100.

For more information on microchipping click here  

OnTrack looking for champions

Racing's mental well being and suicide prevention programme, OnTrack, is holding its next Champions course in Christchurch on March 27. The Champions is programme is designed to empower and educate those in the racing industry to support mental well-being in their communities. Anyone interested in becoming a Champion should contact [email protected] For more information click here

Club News :  Addington

Addington Raceway will be hosting its annual Owners Night on Friday, March 28.  The function starts at 5pm. For more information click here 

Club News : Wyndham 

It is a massive month of harness racing in Wyndham during March with two huge days of racing at Young Quinn Raceway. First up, this Saturday (15 March), the club hosts a day of quality racing featuring the MLT Wyndham Cup which is the feature on the programme with the race held over 3200m for a stake of $25,000. Other features on the day include Heat 3 of the Southern Belle Speed Series, this heat supported by the Southern Standardbred Breeders Assn, plus a heat of the Macca Lodge/Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks.

Later in the month, on Sunday 30 March, the action returns to Young Quinn Raceway with the running of the prestigious Group 2 Macca Lodge NZ Kindergarten Stakes over 1609m for $60,000. Also on the programme that day is the $40,000 Group 3 Champagne Stakes, Heat 3 of the Alabar NZ Southern Supremacy Series and the Hunter Family Handicap Pace.

Admission is free on both days and at times across the two days there will be competitions and prizes plus free entertainment for the children including mini jeeps, bouncy castles and lolly scrambles and more. Bring the gazebo or a picnic blanket and enjoy some top quality harness racing along with some great entertainment. There will also be Kidz Kartz racing on the programme at both meetings. The first race is scheduled for 12.00 noon on each day and admission is free on each occasion.