Win a tonic for owners
Three-year-old filly Lenize has a large group of owners, but no one was more thrilled than Palmerston North-based Marian McMurry when watching her win on debut at Manawatu Raceway on Thursday night. “It was a good win,” trainer Arna Donnelly said. “Lenize is owned by Kevin and Dianne Madgwick, but we have got a big syndicate of people in her. “One of the syndicate members, Marian McMurray, was there on Thursday night with her son, Shaun, who had throat cancer. They got a real kick ...
February 14, 2020Dickie bags 400th driving win at Cambridge
Cambridge Raceway was the birthplace of Joshua Dickie’s driving career and it was apt that he brought up a special milestone in the sulky at the Waikato track on Sunday. Dickie sat on 398 career wins heading into the meeting and he quickly extended it to 399 with a 1-1/4 length win behind the Roger Villiger-trained Presidential Jewel in the Hypedup.co.nz SP Handicap Trot (2200m). He wasted no time in bringing up win 400 in the following race, the Hello World Travel Mobile Pace (2200m), reining...
February 10, 2020Double M Stables hold strong hand at Cambridge
Double M Stables may be a man down, but that hasn’t stopped the Cambridge training operation of Matthew White and Mike Berger, with seven of their team set to compete at Cambridge Raceway on Sunday. White has been out of action since he was injured in a crash at Cambridge last month, which also involved reinsmen Jay Abernethy, David Butcher, and Todd Macfarlane. While not yet able to return to the stables, Berger said his training partner has been kept active inspecting yearlings ahead of New ...
February 6, 2020IRT backs Harness Jewels
International equine airfreight company IRT have shown their support for the harness racing industry by becoming the major sponsor of the IRT Harness Jewels 2020, to be held at Cambridge Raceway on May 30. Cambridge Raceway chief executive Dave Branch was delighted to announce IRT as the Harness Jewels’ major sponsor. “The commitment IRT is showing to the harness racing industry is amazing, having sponsored the 2019 Jewels, 2019 Inter Dominions and now the 2020 Harness Jewels,” Bran...
February 2, 2020Donnelly set to conquer Rotorua
Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly will take a five-strong team south to Rotorua on Sunday and she is looking forward to competing on the grass surface. Her team will be headlined by Gartshore Group 2020 Rotorua Pacers Cup (2600m) contender Young Conqueror who is taking three successive runner-up performances into the race. “He is racing super this guy,” Donnelly said. “He just seems to find one better the last three times he has stepped out. “I think everything suits him this week. ...
January 24, 2020Rowden buzzing after first training win
Ellie Rowden was still on cloud nine by Sunday morning, the day after training her first winner, Still Eyre, at Cambridge. “A real buzz, it was just amazing,” she told HRNZ. “I watched the race with Jo Stevens and she said she looked back and I had disappeared. “I think I jumped off the ledge of the grandstand,” Rowden joked. “I just erupted when I knew he had won.” Rowden, who has a background and ongoing involvement in the show ring, is in her first official season as a trainer, ...
January 20, 2020Lovely Bundy vying for back-to-back Cup wins
South Auckland trainers Peter and Vaughan Blanchard are looking forward to heading down the line to Cambridge Raceway on Saturday where they will line-up three runners. 10-win mare Lovely Bundy will be attempting to add her second successive Cup to the mantle when she contests the Harcourts Te Awamutu 2020 Waipa Trotters Cup (2700m). The daughter of Love You was victorious in the Thames/Coromandel Trotters Cup (2700m) at Cambridge Raceway on January 11, but her trainers believe she will ha...
January 17, 2020Chase Auckland stars at Cambridge
The All Stars juggernaut rolled in to Cambridge on Friday night when Chase Auckland won the Gr.2 McMillian Equine Feeds Flying Mile mobile pace over 1609m. Driven for just the second time in his career by Mark Purdon, who trains the gelding in partnership with Natalie Rasmussen, Chase Auckland settled back in the field from barrier seven before swooping six-wide at the 200m mark to claim a dominant two-and-a-quarter- length win over the Steve Telfer-trained duo of Check In and Triple Eight...
January 11, 2020All Stars descend on Cambridge
The All Stars Stable of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen are expected to feature prominently at Cambridge Raceway on Friday night. The Canterbury trainers will take four of their stable stars to the Waikato track to contest the meeting’s two feature races. Exciting square-gaiter Oscar Bonavena and four-time Group One winner Winterfell will line-up in the Les Harrison Transport Cambridge Flying Stakes (1609m). “It’s nice to have them there supporting the club and it’s only a small...
January 9, 2020The Eagle returns to Cambridge
Group One performer Eagle Watch will make his raceday return in the Grass Track Meeting @ Rotorua Jan 26th Mobile Pace (2200m) at Cambridge Raceway on Sunday. The son of He’s Watching had a solid juvenile season, placing in the Gr.1 Young Guns Cardigan Bay Stakes (1700m) at Alexandra Park and went on to record a win and further three placings. The Matthew White and Mike Berger-trained three-year-old hasn’t been sighted on raceday since the Harness Jewels in June after a virus delayed h...
January 4, 2020Group One tilt for regally-bred filly
Regally-bred filly Emmber will be looking to add to her future broodmare career when she lines-up in the Gr.1 Alabar Sires Stakes 3YO Fillies Championship Mobile Pace (2200m) at Alexandra Park on New Year’s Eve. The daughter of triple Group One winner Lauraella and full-brother to Group One performer Express Stride will head into Tuesday’s assignment off the back of securing her maiden win at Cambridge Raceway on Christmas Eve. “It was a good run. She benefited from a nice trip and did it ...
December 28, 2019Oscar Bonavena shines in Flying Mile
The star of Oscar Bonavena is rapidly rising in the Australasian trotting ranks, and he furthered his imposing reputation when comfortably winning the Gr.2 Group 1 Turf Bar Trotters Flying Mile (1609m) at Cambridge on Tuesday night. The Majestic Son four-year-old began well from his second gate draw to settle in the trail behind stablemate Enhance Your Calm, where he remained for the majority of the race. Enhance Your Calm broke turning for home, however, Purdon was able to guide his charg...
December 26, 2019Donnelly duo target local assignments
Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly will line-up up two runners at her local meeting on Tuesday and she is hoping they can deliver an early Christmas present for their connections. Former Southlander Veneto will have her third start for the stable in the Grass Track Racing At Rotorua Jan 26 Mobile Pace (2200m) and Donnelly is hoping for a bit of luck from their outside frontline draw. “She went well first start and then last week she didn’t get the rub of the green, so fingers crossed we can get...
December 23, 2019Gershwin to fly local flag
Gershwin will be flying the flag as the only local runner in the Gr.2 Group 1 Turf Bar Trotters Flying Mile (1609m) at Cambridge Raceway on Christmas Eve. The Ross Paynter-trained seven-year-old will come up against a star-studded field, including a number of Inter Dominion contenders and Oscar Bonavena, arguably the most exciting square-gaiter in this part of the world. “He will be up against it, but his owners were keen to start him in that race, so that’s where he is heading,” Pay...
December 23, 2019Diversification key at Cambridge Raceway
The Raceway has been the venue of many events since its inauguration in 1919, from a WW2 military camp to high school balls - however it’s mostly known as the home of Standardbred horse racing in the Waikato. And while horse racing is still a core activity at the raceway, CEO Dave Branch is promoting diversification of the venue.“We hold around 22 race meetings each year and we also want to promote the potential our venue has 365 days a year,” said Branch.“To capitalise on this, we...
December 23, 2019New Year incentives offered at Cambridge Raceway
Cambridge Raceway has announced the running of two racing incentives over their meetings in January. The first incentive is a $5,000 double-up bonus, which will be offered at the club’s January 10 and 11 meetings. The bonus is a great addition to what will be a bumper two days of racing, with the Gr.3 Les Harrison Transport Trotters Flying Stakes (1609m) and Gr.2 McMillans Equine Feeds Flying Mile (1609m) being held on January 10, with all support races being held over the mile distance....
December 20, 2019Chilcott hoping for continued success
Cambridge trainer Nicky Chilcott secured a winning double at Alexandra Park on Friday night and she is hoping her stable can continue its winning ways at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night. Chilcott piloted home Phoebe Imperial to win his mile contest, while Gary Gillies sat behind Madeakillin when he broke through maiden company at the Auckland track. “It was terrific,” Chilcott said. “A little bit more luck and we could almost have won another couple. “Ferritts Sister, she was ...
December 18, 2019Trevor Follows a mate into racing
The Waikato-Bay of Plenty Harness Racing Club have welcomed the addition of local businessman Trevor Follows to their committee. Follows was elected to the committee at the club’s recent Annual General Meeting and Cambridge Raceway chief executive Dave Branch is delighted to have someone of Follows’ experience join the club’s leadership team. “I am pleased to welcome Trevor to the committee,” Branch said. “His substantial governance and business experience will be a great asset...
December 10, 2019Trotting enthusiasts back new race
Cambridge Raceway will welcome a new race to their racing calendar in 2020 with the inaugural running of the $30,000 Waikato Trotting Breeders’ Stakes (2700m) on February 21. The race was the brainchild of owner and breeder Ken McGrath and his partner Melanie Barker, who have been supported in their vision by a group of local trotting enthusiasts. “My partner Melanie and I breed and race predominantly trotters and we have a real passion for the trotting gait,” McGrath said. “Wh...
December 7, 2019Revamped Winner’s Lounge set to be unveiled
Winning connections at The Cambridge Raceway’s Thursday meeting will be able to celebrate their success in a new look Winner’s Lounge. Waikato’s home of harness racing has struck up a partnership with local company Black Dog Furniture to create a stylish space with their trademark rustic-look furniture where the Cambridge Raceway will host winning owners and trainers. “We are thrilled Black Dog Furniture have come on board to refit our Winner’s Lounge,” Cambridge Raceway CEO Dav...
December 5, 2019Marshall attempts to win his own race
Cambridge trainer Kyle Marshall will attempt to take out his own race when he lines-up debutant Fleeting Major in the Marshall Racing Stables Mobile Pace (2200m) at Cambridge on Thursday. Marshall is heading into the race with reserved expectations after drawing the outside of the second row with the three-year-old gelding. “I quite like the horse, but drawing 12 is not ideal,” he said. “I expect him to go a good race, but he will need luck from there. “If we end up out the back i...
December 4, 2019Hunter recognised for distinguished service
Inter Dominion Event Committee and Harness Racing Australia representative Michael Taranto presents Charlie with an award for distinguished service. Credit: Supplied...
December 2, 2019Waikato Bay of Plenty Harness purchase sports bar
Patrons enjoying the view from The Clubhouse deck on Harness Jewels day 2018. ...
November 25, 2019Cambridge Raceway tempting Aussies with flights
Kyvalley Blur winning the 2017 Gr.2 Group One Turf Bar Flying Mile Trot - the only Australian to have won a Flying Mile feature at Cambridge Raceway....
November 21, 2019Schumacher scores Auckland victory
Cambridge junior driver Fergus Schumacher was back in the winner’s circle at Alexandra Park on Friday night after piloting home Anditover in the Schweppes Mobile Trot (1609m) for employer Ross Paynter. It was the first run back for the son of Andover Hall, who finished fifth in the Gr.1 Northern Trotting Derby (2700m) in May, and Schumacher was delighted with the victory. “It was a very nice win. Leading into it he had no trial and to produce a win first-up was quite impressive,” he ...
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