News Briefs : August 28

Copy That's return, the latest update on Alexandra Park's $1m race night, and a new mental health website all feature in this week's News Briefs.   

Copy That to return to work

Dual IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup champion Copy That is back at Lincoln Farms. The Ray Green-trained star hasn't raced for nearly a year because of a knee injury. He was treated in Victoria before returning to New Zealand in May where he's been doing rehab on a water treadmill. Now he's back at Pukekohe with Green ruling out any chance of making a bid for the New Zealand Cup at Addington in November. He says the $2m earner will be taken along quietly with a view to a possible tilt at the Auckland Cup at Alexandra on New Year's Eve.

Star Aussies eyeing up Kaikoura 

There's a chance star Australian stable-mates Just Believe and Better Eclipse could both line up at Kaikoura's huge race day on November 4. Trainer Jess Tubbs is toying with the idea of starting the pair at the iconic South Bay track as part of their build-up to the Renwick Farms Dominion and the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington on Tuesday, November 12. The last time they raced in this country Tubbs and husband Greg Sugars took out the Rowe Cup - Auckland Cup double on May 24. Decisions on whether the pair will make it to Kaikoura will be made in the coming weeks. “It’s a bit of a bucket list thing for Greg, so we’ll give it serious thought," says Tubbs.

Latest Golden Gait points update

The latest information on the $1m Golden Gait race night at Alexandra Park on December 20 is now available on alexandrapark.co.nz and hrnz.co.nz. Ten races, worth $100,000 each, will be held. They will each feature 12 horses and be run over the mile (1609m). There will be 2 and 3YO Pacing and Trotting races, as well as three ratings races for both gaits. To qualify 3YO and older horses must have had a minimum of six starts at the Park in the qualifying period (Jan 1 2024 - December 6 2024),  with four starts for the 2YOs. The latest information can be found here

Whittakers get the chocolates

The father - son partnership of Jeff and Luke Whittaker had their first win together when the very impressive trotter Zoltan Boscik won at Addington on Friday night. It was the Majestic Son four-year old's third win from just six starts. The new combo have had four starts together after Luke's recent return from Australia. He had one previous training success in this country with Chalberg, who he also drove, at Cambridge in 2020. It was Jeff's 125th training success, the other 124 on his own account.

Kyvalley Hotspur to Bob Butt

Talented trotter Kyvalley Hotspur will do his immediate racing in this country. The Breckon Farms bred Muscle Hill six-year-old has won 14 from 53, all in Australia. He has raced twice in this country with his last start being a sixth in Just Believe's Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park in May. Now he's been transferred from ex-pat Kiwi Brent Lilley in Victoria to Bob Butt at Woodend in Canterbury.

Track record for winning debutante

Rakero Ice's impressive win on debut on Sunday set a new track record at Rangiora. The daughter of Sweet Lou won by eight lengths in 2:30.6. It lowered the 3YO Fillies' record for a 2000 metre stand set by Miss Lilac in 2015. That time was 2:31.9. Both horses were driven by Gavin Smith. There have been four records set at Rangiora this year. Rakero Ice was purchased at the National Yearling Sales in Christchurch in 2022 for $25,000.

Manhattan retired

Quality mare Manhattan has been retired and will be served by Captaintreacherous this breeding season. From 62 starts she won 12 races on both sides of the Tasman and over $320K in stakes. Among her best performances was her win in the Group 3 Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes and Sires' Stakes Southern Mares Classic. She was also placed in eight Listed or Group races in this country.

Andy Hall returns south

Ten-win trotter Andy hall has returned to Southland. The eight-year-old Andover gelding started with Nathan Williamson then went to Robert and Jenna Dunn at Woodend and has now headed south again to Lyndon Bond. Bond has won five races with Andy Hall's half-sister Del's Creation since April. Hall has won 10 races, the latest at Addington on May 23,2024.

OnTrack’s new website is now online

Supported by Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ), New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), and Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ), OnTrack is committed to making mental health and safety a top priority in the racing community. The goal is to build a strong, supportive network that promotes long-term mental well-being and prevents suicide.

To see the website click here

Gavelhouse auctions close tonight

There are 15 lots up for sale in the latest gavelhouse.com standardbred auction. Among them is Memphis Blaster, a last start winner for breeder-owner Wayne Higgs. The Bettor's Delight three-year-old won at Addington on July 28 for driver Sam Ottley in just his second start. At last look Memphis Blaster had attracted a bid of $13,500. The auctions close from 7pm tonight.

To see the catalogue click here

Club News : Ashburton

It's Fathers Day on Sunday, September 1 and at the Ashburton Trotting Club meeting and the first 30 dads into the office win a $10 betting voucher to kick their day off on the right foot! All fathers can also go in the draw to win a seat on the back of the mobile car to hear and feel the power of the harness racing action up close. Sunday also marks the start of Blue September, the annual fund-raiser for the New Zealand Prostate Cancer Foundation.