News Briefs - Sept 2

A re-shuffle of the markets following Keayang Zahara's withdrawal,  Sam Thornley's winning streak and the retirement of Muscle Hill all feature in this week's News Briefs. 

Gus now $2.60 in Dominion Trot  

With Keayang Zahara out of the picture, defending champion Gus is now the $2.60 favourite for November's Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington. Keayang Zahara, the winner of 28 from 29 races and a $1.30 favourite for the Dominion, was sensationally withdrawn from the race last week with a hind leg injury. The Queensland-based Gus, who's also the current Inter Dominion champion, was unbeaten last year at Addington winning the Dominion Trot - NZ Trotting Free-For-All double and is expected to be back at the trials this month. The only others in single figures are Rowe Cup champion Mr Love ($6.50), Gotfeelingsyouknow ($7.50) and Meant To Be ($9). In the New Zealand Trotting Cup fellow Aussie superstar Leap To Fame is the $1.80 hotshot ahead of leading Kiwi chances Marketplace at $4.80 and The Lazarus Effect at $10. The Lazarus Effect has already qualified for the Cup after winning the Maurice Holmes Vase. He will also front up in Friday's Avon City Ford New Brighton Cup (8.26pm). The winners of Friday's New Brighton Cup and the ITM Ordeal Cup will automatically qualify for the Cup and the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 10. 

Sam Thornley's winning streak

Sam Thornley's winning streak just keeps getting better. The 24-year-old had wins with Coba Charged at Addington on Friday and then with the Tony Thomas-trained hot favourite Rosetta Road at Ashburton on Sunday. He has now driven at least one winner every week since June 19 - that's 10 weeks in a row. He's the only driver in the country to have achieved that feat in the same time frame. Overall he's now had 50 wins this year to be 20 wins behind his personal best season (70 wins) last year. 

Purvis trains 200th winner 

Woodend Beach trainer Matt Purvis notched up his 200th success when Ultimatum finally broke through at Ashburton on Sunday. It was Ultimatum's first win in 35 starts. Purvis has been training since 2018 with his first winner being Machs Mareta. His best season wins-wise was the 44 he had in 2022. Both his first and 200th winners were driven by John Dunn. Dunn is second in the drivers' premiership with 80 wins, 28 behind Blair Orange. Following Ultimatum's win another long-time maiden Stuarts Buller Boy also won, at start number 32, for trainer Andrew Faulks and Orange.

Duchess Maria back 

Trotters at different ends of the country will spark a bit of interest this week. At Winton on Thursday the unbeaten Duchess Maria resumes after winning four from four last campaign. Her ultimate targets will be the New Zealand Trotting Derby and Oaks at Addington in November. She is the early favourite in both. And at Alexandra Park on Friday Aldebaranmargareta debuts for the Wallis/Hackett stable (R2 - 5.15pm). The four-year-old mare has unusual bloodlines for this part of the world - she is by Swedish stallion Who's Who and looked promising when qualifying on July 28.   

HRNZ representatives on Establishment Board 

HRNZ chair and vice chair Grant Jarrold and Hannah Doney will be harness racing's representatives on the newly-formed racing industry Establishment Board. The Board, independently chaired by Dean McKenzie, brings together representatives from HRNZ, NZ Thoroughbred Racing and TAB NZ. It will assess options for a more sustainable and efficient industry governance and operating model. “HRNZ welcomes the formation of the Establishment Board and the opportunity to work collaboratively with TAB NZ and NZTR on this important programme of work," says Jarrold, "this is a significant piece of work for the future of racing in New Zealand, and its success will depend on genuine collaboration, strong governance and a shared focus on delivering sustainable outcomes for the wider industry."

DD passes $8m

Kiwi superstar Dexter Dunn has just passed $8m in stake earnings in North America this year. The five-time USA Driver of the Year has total earnings of $8.3m including 195 wins. He is a narrow second behind Jason Bartlett at $US8.4m. Remarkably he has had 744 drives this year, just under a half of what Bartlett has driven (1444 drives).

$1m looms for Triple Eight  

Kiwi-bred warrior Triple Eight edged closer towards $1m in earnings with his 33rd career victory in Victoria over the weekend. The now 11-year-old came three wide at the 500 metre mark and just kept on trucking to down $1.80 favourite Bulletproof Boy at Melton on Saturday night. He had 11 wins in this country before joining the Jess Tubbs stable in 2021. His prizemoney now stands at $972,000.

Muscle Hill retired  

Champion sire Muscle Hill has been retired from stallion service. The announcement was made in the USA last week. On the track he was a $US3.2m earner with 20 wins from 21 starts including the 2009 Hambletonian in a then record 1:50.2. As a sire he's also been sensational with his progeny in this country including some of the best trotters of recent years including Muscle Mountain and Bolt For Brilliance. Muscle Hill's million-dollar earning son What The Hill was 2025 Trotting Stallion of the Year in this country. Among his stock was the now-retired Bet N Win.

Insurance options for foals 

With the 2026 breeding season now underway and the first standardbred foals of the season already on the ground, NZB Insurance is encouraging breeders to consider protecting their latest arrivals with specialist foal insurance cover. “While our foal insurance policies generally cover mortality, we also offer optional extensions such as scoping cover for foals destined for yearling sales, and life-saving surgical cover," says NZB Insurance Manager Jane McAlpine. “We wish breeders every success for the season ahead and look forward to providing peace of mind when their new arrivals are here."   

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