News Briefs : Sept 30

Another Holmes DG looms for Zachary and Merlin, Nellie Doyle's big place divvy and a Canadian Courage Under Fire all feature in this week's News Briefs. 

Butcher favoured for another Holmes DG

Zachary Butcher will be vying for a fourth Holmes DG in the last five years (and fifth overall) at Alexandra Park on Friday night. He will drive hot favourite Merlin in the $40,000 Group 3 feature. They won the same race in 2024, with Butcher going back to back with the John Dickie-trained Old Town Road in 2022 and 2023. He also won with Jack's Legend in 2017. Last year's race was won by Merlin's stablemate Sooner The Bettor. Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan hold a strong hand again this year with three of the seven runners (Merlin, Jeremiah and Better Knuckle Up). The winner of the race (8.24pm) gains automatic qualification for the Go Media New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington on Tuesday, November 10.

Nellie's big place divvy

Nellie Doyle was the rank outsider in Friday's Tactical Approach D G Jones Banks Peninsula Cup at Addington. She finished second, a length or so behind winner Habibti Pat. At 16/16 in the betting she paid $23.80 for the place - not bad at all. But it pales in comparison to other longshot place-getters in recent years in this country. For instance the Barry Creagh-trained and driven Aldarini paid $49.85 for the place when she was third in the George Calvert Cleaning Pace at Addington in July 2004. Another to pay big money was Rollyarrz for trainer Jack Harrington and driver Korbyn Newman when they finished third at Addington in July 2021, paying $32.80 for the place.    

Distance change for youngsters

From tomorrow, October 1 the maximum permitted distance for horses under two years of age will be 2000 metres, down from 2400 metres. This will include all workout, trial or qualifying races. HRNZ considered it appropriate to review the maximum distance permitted for these horses, recognising their stage of physical development and that their participation during this period is principally about education, preparation and progression towards their two-year-old racing season. The amendment was made in consultation with the National Forum and the NZ Trainers and Drivers' Association.

RRM wins LBJ

What a cakewalk it was for Redland Rocket Man in the 81st edition of one of the great races, The Little Brown Jug in Delaware Ohio. The son of Bulldog Hanover cleared out by over four lengths to win the $550,000 classic, giving driver Jody Jamieson his second win in the LBJ after Tell All's win in 2007. Kiwi star Dexter Dunn was seventh with Thai Hanover. Dunn remains at number one in North America this week. The five-time USA Driver of the Year is the highest stakes earner in 2026 at $11.9m (235 wins) with Yannick Gingras next at $10.85m (250 wins) and Jason Bartlett $10m (442 wins).

23 wins in a row

In Canada a three-year-old pacing filly is one win away from doing a Courage Under Fire. The unbeaten Windemere Skye has now won her first 23 starts, including her latest over the weekend at Prince Edward Island.  She won by nearly four lengths in 1:53.8. Courage Under Fire, the Mighty Mouse as he was known, famously won his first 24 starts in this country and in Australia in the late 1990s (and into 2000) and went on to win 41 from 56 and $1.5m in stakes.  

Trials change

Originally scheduled as workouts, the North Canterbury TOA will now run a full trial meeting at Rangiora next Tuesday, October 6.

Next Gen deadline closes tomorrow

Harness Racing New Zealand is reminding owners and trainers that the deadline for notification of eligible Next Gen trainers and ownership groups is Thursday, 1 October 2026. For horses purchased at the 2026 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales, HRNZ must be notified of the eligible trainer details and ownership group by 1 October to meet the requirements of the Next Gen scheme. For registration-related enquiries, please contact [email protected]. For all other enquiries, please contact [email protected].

Club News - Southern 
 
Harness racing action is ramping up in the south with several meetings at various venues throughout October. There is racing action on the first three Thursdays of the month with the Wyndham Harness Racing Club racing at Gore on Thursday (1 October) followed by the Northern Southland Trotting Club racing at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Thursday 8 October and the Invercargill Harness Racing Club hosting a meeting at Ascot Park Raceway on the following Thursday – 15 October.
 
Cup Day at Oamaru is next up on Sunday 18 October with the Tuapeka Harness Racing Club taking their annual Cup Day meeting to Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Sunday 25 October (Labour Weekend). The month ends with the Winton Harness Racing Club meeting at Central Southland Raceway in Winton on Friday 30 October.
 
One of the highlights of the month in addition to the Oamaru and Tuapeka Cup races is the Tuapeka Golden Girls Mares Series with heats at Wyndham (Gore), Northern Southland (Invercargill) and Invercargill with the final at the Tuapeka meeting at Labour Weekend.
 
Watch the Southern Harness Racing facebook page for full information as each meeting approaches.