News Briefs : March 19

The big reveal at Cambridge, another milestone for our most successful driver, and a farewell to a well-performed trotter all feature in this week's News Briefs.

Cambridge's barrier reveal confirmed

The barrier reveals for the two big races on Cambridge's Night of Champions will be broadcast on Trackside on Tuesday, April 1. The draws for the $650,000 TAB Trot and the $1m Race by betcha will be at 7.30pm, followed by the Box Seat at 8pm. Cambridge's biggest race night on Friday, April 4 will be followed an after party featuring country music star Kaylee Bell. Tickets are on sale now from $55.

To see more click here 

100 wins for the Wilsons

It's taken 40 years but Robin and Geraldine Wilson have had their 100th winner as owners. The well-known racing identities from Rangiora hit three figures when Penny Weight won at Reefton on March 9. They are involved in the Corner Shop syndicate that co-races the six-year-old mare. They have had 16 wins with that syndicate since 2022, mainly out of Matty Williamson's Oamaru stable. The Wilsons' first winner was in February 1985. Until 2022 they only raced horses they bred themselves including topliners OK Oskar (1.50.2) and Raglan (1.53). The Wilsons have been big supporters and sponsors of the Rangiora Harness Racing Club where Robin was on the committee for nearly 30 years and President for 10.

Final weekend for Regal Sierra 

With stakes earnings just shy of $100,000, Regal Sierra's racing career will finish this weekend. The six-year-old Creatine mare is in foal and will line up in the $30,000 Bob Rochford Memorial Seddon Shields Trotting Championships at Addington on Friday night. She is also nominated for Oamaru on Sunday. Either way she will not race past this weekend. Regal Sierra is in foal to On A Streak who is owned by Pat Driscoll and stands at Wai Eyre Farm. Both parties purchased Regal Sierra last December and had three wins with her with trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn. Her four other wins were with Ken Barron. Her seven wins have come from 39 starts, with career earnings of $96,380.

Tony Herlihy tops 3700 winners

The most successful driver ever in this country, Tony Herlihy brought up career win number 3700 when Jolimont won the Group 3 Founders Cup at Alexandra Park on Friday. The Iceman, as he's known, had his first win at Cambridge in 1978 and has won the drivers' premiership eight times, between 1985 and 2005. Herlihy is one of three drivers to have clocked up more than 3000 winners, along with Maurice McKendry on 3417 and Ricky May on 3157.

Still winning at 88

88-year-old South Australian driver John Lee was back in the winner's circle recently, driving $2.15 favourite Marty's Party to victory on his home track at Globe Derby. Bred and raced by Lee and his daughter Tiffany it was the nine-year-old's 15th win in 103 starts. He's the only horse the family has in work with Lee getting up around 6am each day to work him.  

Nandolo still winning in USA

Nandolo, who last raced in this country during New Zealand Cup week in 2020, is still racking up the wins in North America. Trained by John "Coaster" Howe, Nandolo finished seventh in the New Zealand Free For All, won by Spankem, before being exported to North America in January 2021. More than four years on the now 11-year-old has won four from six starts in 2025 and is currently ninth on the earnings list in the USA at $58,800. He won nine from 47 in this country, earning more than $150,000. After being a great performer in Australia, Blazing Home is also now winning in North America. Bred by Michelle Carson and sold at the 2021 National Yearling Sale for $22,000, the Rock N Roll Heaven five-year-old has produced the equal fastest time at Saratoga in New York in 2025, winning in 1:53.6. The gelding only went to the USA late last year after winning 13 from 32 in Australia, including his first eight in a row.

Ruby Rose threatens track record

Ruby Roe went within a whisker of a track record when she clocked up her seventh victory at Wyndham on Saturday. The Captaintreacherous four-year-old took out the SSBA Southern Belle Speed Series Heat 3 Mobile Pace by a neck from Tokyo Rose. Her time of 1:51.9 was just outside the track record for mares of 1:51.8 set by Darling Me in March 20222. Her seven wins have come from just 18 starts for trainer-driver Nathan Williamson. She'll next front up in the $40,000 Group 3 Champagne Stakes on Kindergarten Stakes day at Wyndham on Sunday, March 30.

Latest Sires' Stakes Newsletter 

The NZ Sires' Stakes is excited about Friday's racing at Alexandra Park, in particular the two Harness Million Finals for the three-year-olds. To read more click here 

Export fee from June 1

An export fee is being introduced for New Zealand horses heading to China. Harness Racing New Zealand advises a fee of $300 plus GST per horse will be effective from June 1, 2025. From January 1, 2026 the full export fee will apply.
"The fee has largely been introduced to offset the administration costs involved in processing these transactions, " says HRNZ's Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden. The fees will be collected by the freight company involved, as is common practice.

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.

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 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]. 

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 : Winton 

Winton is set for a great day of harness racing and plenty of family fun when the Winton Harness Racing Club host a race meeting at Central Southland Raceway on Saturday (22 March). On track the feature race will be the Subway Winton/Uppercuts Butchery Central Southland Cup to be run over 2400m for a stake of $20,000.

Backing up a full day of racing will be entertainment and activities for the whole family. A Prezzy Card will be up for grabs for all ages in the very popular Heads/Tails game while for the children there will be free entertainment with mini jeeps, bouncy castles, a face painter and pony rides while Mr Whippy will be on course with the first 100 ice creams free for the kids. There will be a lolly scramble for the children and Kidz Kartz races will part of the programme.

There are still a limited number of hospitality options available so contact Southern Harness Racing’s Promotions Officer, Lindsay Beer on 021 351 499 or [email protected] if you would like an area for your group.

The first race is scheduled for 12.05pm and admission to the course is free.