News Briefs : 13th October

News briefs from Harness Racing New Zealand.

Methven Cup meeting hit with punters

Turnover at Sunday’s Methven Trotting Club easily topped a million dollars. The Methven Cup meeting, held on the grass at Orari because of damage to the Mt Harding track, saw betting of $1.115m. Overall turnover for the week (4 meetings) was $3,247,570, with Alexandra Park and Addington both hovering around the $830,000 mark for their meetings.

Kaos heading to the beach

Possibly the country’s largest trotter, Moment of Kaos is on the move. At 18 hands the giant has moved from Bruce Negus to Brent Borcoskie’s stables at Ashworths Beach in North canterbury. “Kaos” has won two from 23 for Negus with part owner Robert Hanna saying it was Negus who suggested that the horse could benefit from a change of environment after being below his best in recent starts.

Emma’s popular win

Emma Frost’s win on Friday night at Alexandra Park was very much a family affair. The striking five-year-old grey mare is trained by Bernie Hackett and Michelle Wallis, driven by younger daughter Crystal Hackett, and part-owned by older daughter Tyla. It was Emma Frost’s fifth win in 47 starts.

Six figure claimer

Remember Bernie Winkle, the Nathan Williamson trained pacer that won three from 11 here before heading across the Tasman in 2016. The eight-year-old has now had 229 starts for 53 wins and with earnings of over half a million. This weekend he’s in a claiming race at Ballarat but he won’t come cheap – his claiming price is $100,000.

Last race for champion trotter

Champion trotter Manchego has been retired and will head to the broodmare paddock. The six-year-old daughter of Muscle Hill, Manchego won 39 of 65 lifetime races and earned $US 3.14 million. Her earnings rank fourth in history among female trotters, trailing only Moni Maker, Peace Corps, and Bee A Magician. Her regular drivers were Dexter Dunn and Yannick Gingras. She is the fastest female trotter in history, with a mark of 1:49 established in 2019.

Sizzling times in Kentucky

Some very quick times have been recorded at the famous Red Mile in Lexington Kentucky. Atlanta beats the world record for an older trotting mare when winning in 1:49.2 while Allywag Hanover equalled a mark for pacing geldings when he won in 1:46.4.

Club News : Kaikoura

Thanks to ALABAR NZ, the Kaikoura Trotting Club is pleased to be able to offer the following stallions for tender:
· One service to Art Major (valued at $14,000)
· One service to Majestic Son (valued at $5,000)
Tenders close at 5pm on Saturday, 30th October 2021
For enquiries and copy of Tender Form please contact Geraldine Stanbury 021 351 615 or email on kaikouratc@xtra.co.nz

HRNZ