News Briefs - March 4

The return of a champion driver, milestones for two northern trainers, and the latest from the Sires' Stakes all feature in this week's News Briefs.

March comeback for May

Champion driver Ricky May has had the necessary clearances to resume race day driving. The 67-year-old hasn't been to the races since collapsing while working on the family farm at Methven in November last year. The medical event prompted his pacemaker to be activated. May had the device implanted after his well-documented episode at Omakau in Central Otago in January 2020. One of the greats of New Zealand harness racing, the seven-time New Zealand Cup winner has 3192 career wins to be third all-time behind Tony Herlihy and Maurice McKendry. May says he is "feeling as good as gold" and is looking forward back to getting back to the races proper as early as next week after a number of recent drives at the trials and workouts.

Barry Purdon first to 2800 wins

The country's most successful ever trainer Barry Purdon has hit another milestone. When Ultimate Racy Girl won at Alexandra Park last Friday it brought up his 2800th training success. He has had 940 on his own account, 1463 with father Roy and now 397 with Scott Phelan. His combined total of 2800 wins places him first all-time, with brother Mark second on 2668.

Matty White hits the ton

Another Clevedon-based trainer Matty White also had a night to celebrate at Alexandra Park on Friday with his 100th career training win in New Zealand. It came with Iron Mike Tyson who went back to back with another impressive showing, at double figure odds. White had 11 wins with Mike Berger before now having 89 on his own account. He had his best year in 2025 with 32 wins. He's also had 419 wins as a driver and 76 as a trainer in Australia. 

New 2YO race at Cambridge

In response to the strong number of 2YO pacers that have now qualified, or are in the process of qualifying, in the North Island, a Non-Win 2YO race has been added to the Cambridge programme on Thursday, 26 March. The race will be run over 1700m, with a preferential barrier draw on sex (fillies inside colts and geldings), and will carry a stake of $8,000. Any enquiries can be directed to bureau@hrnz.co.nz

Other changes of dates and venues

Owing to damage to the Wyndham grandstand late last year, the meeting scheduled for Thursday March 19 has been transferred to Gore. Heat 2 of the Southern Supremacy Stakes series will be held at Ascot Park, Invercargill on Wednesday, March 11, instead of March 1 as originally scheduled. And the 2YO Trots race originally scheduled for March 27 at Alexandra Park has been rescheduled to be run one week earlier on March 20 2026.

200 starts beckons for Warloch

The mighty Warloch is on the brink of a big milestone. The 12-year-old chalked up his 19th victory for trainer-driver Michael House in an amateur drivers race at Addington a week ago. It was his 199th start. House has a number of seasoned campaigners in his team including Doctor Tim (223 starts) and Santanna Mach (270 starts). After two months of the 2026 season, the well-travelled House has 26 wins so far to lead the trainers' premiership by four from Robert and Jenna Dunn (22) and Steve and Amanda Telfer on 20. In the drivers' premiership eight-time champion Blair Orange is on 32 wins, 11 clear of John Dunn with Wilson House on 20. House is the leading junior driver, four ahead of Harrison Orange.  

Sires' Stakes newsletter out now

The up-coming Northern Lights Autumn Carnival and the success of the NZB Standardbred National yearling Sales are the hot topics in the latest Sires' Stakes newsletter. To read more click here

Team Teal fund-raiser

A big Team Teal fund-raising night is being organised for Addington on Friday, March 13. The night will feature the final of the Frocks at the Trots fashion competition with the $60 tickets also including a drink on arrival, a buffet dinner and other race night entertainment. Team Teal is HRNZ's annual campaign raising awareness of ovarian cancer and funds towards research. It started on February 1 and finishes on March 16. Currently this year's campaign has raised just on $20,000. For more information about the evening contact courtney@hrnz.co.nz