FLAIR® Around the World

New Zealand /3.12.2011

Harnesslink News |1:21 am |12-March-2011

Sushi Sushi wins Northern Derby: NZ record

Australian harness racing star Sushi Sushi not only won tonight’s (Friday March 11) prestigious Group One $400,000 Woodlands Stud Northern Derby by half a neck, but the brilliant 3-year-old also smashed Highview Tommy’s New Zealand 2700m record of 3:19.1.

The Freddy Taiba trained and Greg Sugars owned son of Art Major stopped the clock in 3:17.02 (mile rate: 1:57.5) with final 800m and 400m sprints of 57.6 and 29.7 seconds.



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New Zealand /3.04.2011

Harnesslink News |10:19 pm |04-March-2011

Major Mark back to his top 2 year old form

He might have gone one second quicker than Sushi Sushi’s first heat win at Alexandra Park tonight (Friday March 4) but champion harness racing trainer and driver Mark Purdon isn’t getting carried away with Major Mark’s chances in next Friday’s Group One $400,000 Derby Final for 3-year-olds.

Singapore /3.04.2011

Singapore Turf Club – International Racing |March 04, 2011 |Craig Brennan

Fradd at his best on South Easter

Trainer Patrick Shaw praised the winning ride of Robbie Fradd after South Easter took out the $75,000 Kranji Stakes C over 1900m on the Polytrack on Friday night.

After settling down in fourth position, Fradd elected to go to the front 700m from home and at the same time put a bit of speed into the race.

Turning for home South Easter had the race in his control and drew clear to record a three-and-a-half length victory over Saddlers Creek (Olivier Placais) with Chief Secretary (Ronnie Stewart) a head away third.

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New Zealand /3.04.2011

Harnesslink News |8:48 pm |04-March-2011

Reglan puts in a top Auckland Cup rehearsal

‘A great rehearsal for next week.’ That was the comment from master harness racing driver Anthony Butt in the Alexandra Park winner’s enclosure moments after Raglan won tonight’s (Friday March 4) $25,000 LBG Builders Mobile for 4-8 win pacers.

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New Zealand /2.26.2011

Harnesslink News|2:35 AM|26-Febuary-2011 |

Tony Herlihy creates NZ racing history

New Zealand harness racing history was created at Alexandra Park in Auckland tonight (Friday February 25) when a legend nick-named ‘The Iceman’ became the first reinsman to drive 3,000 winners. No driver or jockey has won that many races before. Tonight Tony Herlihy – the 52-year-old they call ‘Alexandra Park’s favourite son’ changed all that!

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New Zealand /2.16.2011

TV New Zealand|12:08PM|13-Febuary-2011 |Source: ONE Sport

Mufhasa upstages the competition

Rejuvenated top galloper Mufhasa again upstaged the best performed horses in New Zealand to record his fifth Group 1 win in the $200,000 Waikato Draught Sprint at Te Rapa yesterday.

“He has beaten the best field we have seen assembled for a sprint race in New Zealand for many years,” said Ardmore trainer Stephen McKee.

Mufhasa sat behind the leader, Coup Align, during the early and middle stages of yesterday’s race before unleashing a sizzling finishing burst to beat home the Group 1 winners, Wall Street and Keep The Peace.

“He was the most hardened horse in the field today and that gave him the fitness advantage over the others,” McKee said…

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New Zealand /1.20.2011

Harnesslink News |12:37 pm |20-January-2011

Auckland Reactor Set for February Return

Multiple New Zealand record holder Auckland Reactor will resume his harness racing career in a mile sprint at Ashburton on February 12, and according to co-trainer Mark Purdon ‘Mac’ is no different to when he left his Rolleston property in November 2009.

“All indications so far are that he is exactly the same when he left home after the Free-For-All. He’s still lovely to work with. It’s like he never left,” Purdon said. He said the now 6-year-old son of Mach Three had the same temperament, which in some ways surprised him. “I thought he might have changed a bit after serving a dummy mare a couple of times but he’s exactly the same. He feels like he wants to race again but I suppose we won’t really know until the pressure goes on,” said Purdon, who co-trains Auckland Reactor with Grant Payne at Rolleston. Auckland Reactor underwent a successful operation in early November in Christchurch which involved cutting out a crescent shaped section, about 3cm by 1cm, from the edge of his soft palate to reduce obstruction to the his flow. After the operation veterinarian Bill Bishop believed there was no reason why the champion couldn’t return to his brilliant best… -Read Full Article

Singapore /1.02.2011

Singapore Turf Club – International Racing |January 02, 2011 |Craig Brennan

Escamonda scores back-to-back feature Polytrack wins

Former Argentinean galloper Escamonda showed his liking for the Polytrack surface by landing his second feature victory on Sunday.  His victory in the Group 3 $200,000 New Year Cup over 1900m on Sunday followed his last start victory in the Group 3 Proinn Construct Stakes over 1700m on December 3.  Well rated in front by Robbie Fradd, Escamonda scored by two-and-a-half lengths over stablemate Jamal Malik (Barend Vorster) with Arjuna (Saifudin Ismail) a half-length back in third place. -Read Full Article

New Zealand /12.31.2010

Harnesslink Admin |3:36 pm |31 December 2010

Fly Like an Eagle another promising juvenile

Ken Barron’s mortgage on New Zealand’s 2-year-old pacing events was broken at Alexandra Park today (Friday December 31) when the Mark Purdon and Grant Payne trained Fly Like An Eagle won his harness racing debut in the third heat of the $25,000 Breckon Bloodstock Young Guns Series Pace. -Read Full Article

New Zealand /12.31.2010

Harnesslink Admin |4:59 pm |31 December 2010

Gold Ace cements his Top 3yo ranking

Gold Ace’s harness racing bank balance rocketed from $167,129 to $307,554 with his sixth win from just 14 starts at Alexandra Park today (Friday December 31). The smart 3-year-old colt proved too classy when leading all the way in the Listed $260,000 PGG Wrightson NZ Yearling Sales Final. -Read Full Article

New Zealand/12.23.2010

Thoroughbred News Black Type for Celaris After racing in a professional manner, Celeris (5 B. M. Fusaichi Pegasus – Cuphill, by Danehill) gained a richly-deserved black type victory in the $45,000, Listed, Chainey’s Panasonic Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki on Friday. -Read Full Article

New Zealand /12.10.2010

Harnesslink Admin

NZ Record for ‘I Can Doosit’ – Aussie Next...

Watch out Australia here he comes. I Can Doosit will leave New Zealand bound for Melton’s Tabcorp Park on Wednesday with a New Zealand Trotting record under his belt. The harness racing 5-year-old achieved the new mark in tonight’s (Friday December 10) Group Two $20,000 Lyell Creek Stakes. -Read Full Article

New Zealand /12.17.2010

Harnesslink Admin |11:04 pm |17 December 2010

Lightning Raider upsets in Founders Cup

It’s not often on a Group One night of harness racing that New Zealand’s leading reinsman Dexter Dunn can get two outsiders home that pay more than $27 to win. But that’s exactly what the young Canterbury driver did at Alexandra Park tonight (Friday December 17) when Bettor Move It ($31) and Lightning Raider ($27.60) won races six and nine respectively. -Read Full Article

New Zealand /12.17.2010

Harnesslink Admin |11:22 pm |17 December 2010

$200,000 Victoria Derby next for Gold Ace

Watch out Australia – New Zealand’s best 3-year-old harness racing pacer is crossing the ditch to take on your best in the Group One $200,000 Alabar 3yo Victoria Derby at Melton’s Tabcorp Park on February 5. That’s the plan according to Gold Ace’s trainer Steven Reid. -Read Full Article

New Zealand /12.5.2010

ThoroughbredNews | 5 December 2010

Black type for Celeris After racing in a professional manner, Celeris (5 B. M. Fusaichi Pegasus – Cuphill, by Danehill) gained a richly-deserved black type victory in the $45,000, Listed, Chainey’s Panasonic Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki on Friday. -Read full article

Singapore/12.03.2010

Singapore Turf club International Racing News| December 03, 2010| Craig Brennan Escomonda gives Fradd early present in Prionn Construct Stakes

Jockey Robbie Fradd landed an early birthday present when Escamonda took out the $175,000 Group 3 Proinn Construct Stakes over 1700m on the Polytrack on Friday night.

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Singapore/11.28.2010

Singapore Turf club International Racing News| November 28, 2010| Michael Lee

Volpista takes Punters’ Way Cup to bring up Shaw-Fradd feature double

The Patrick Shaw-Robbie Fradd renewed partnership were the punters’ pals on Sunday when they landed a feature double in the two races sponsored by leading racing publication Punters’ Way. -Read full article

New Zealand /11.28.2010

Harnesslink Admin |10:44 pm |28 November 2010

Russley Rascal all class in Franklin Cup Mark Purdon always had an inkling that Russley Rascal wouldn’t have too many problems stepping up from age group racing to the open class harness racing guns. As the Yaldhurst trainer-driver put it: “Last year’s 3-year-old crop was a very strong bunch and I think that was vindicated here tonight.” -Read full article

New Zealand /11.27.2010

ThoroughbredNews | Jeff Dore |27 November 2010

Loose Change in Wanganui Cup While there is generally an inkling as to which horse may have prevailed in many a close finish, the line-up of heads that appeared to reach to post almost simultaneously in the $50,000, Listed, Cambridge Thoroughbred Sales Wanganui Cup (2040m) required most, including the Judge, to take a second look. -Read full article

New Zealand /11.26.2010

Thoroughbred Times NZ

Black type for Celeris

After racing in a professional manner, Celeris (5 B. M. Fusaichi Pegasus – Cuphill, by Danehill) gained a richly-deserved black type victory in the $45,000, Listed, Chainey’s Panasonic Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki on Friday. -Read full article

New Zealand /11.17.2010

Harnesslink Admin | 9:46 pm | 17 November 2010

Purdon-Payne to train Auckland Reactor

Top Canterbury harness racing trainer Mark Purdon never expected to get a second chance to train Auckland Reactor and admits he’s excited about the prospect of preparing the champion again, especially after a successful operation on his soft palate. -Read full article

New Zealand /11.12.2010

Harnesslink Admin | 5:08 pm | 12 November 2010

Stylish Monarch slashes NZ record in Dominion

Mid Canterbury harness racing driver Ricky May has had a week he will never forget. The Methven reinsman has followed up Monkey King’s New Zealand Cup win on Tuesday with another feature Group One 3200m event at Addington Raceway today (Friday November 12) – the Hellers Dominion Free-For-All Trot behind Stylish Monarch. -Read full article

New Zealand /11.10.2010

Harnesslink Admin | 6:46 pm | 10 November 2010

Mitchell wins another Group 1 at Addington The harness racing wizard has done it again at Addington Raceway – this time without a wand. Todd Mitchell lost his whip at the 1400m but was still good enough to nurse Ima Gold Digger to an easy victory in today’s (Tuesday November 9) Group One New Zealand Free-For-All Trot. -Read full article

New Zealand /11.9.2010

Harnesslink Admin | 8:15 pm | 9 November 2010

Nearea Franco brilliant – Free-For-All next The Steven McRae trained Nearea Franco is back to her brilliant best if her win in the today’s (Tuesday November 9) Firestone Junior Free-For-All at Addington Raceway is anything to go by. The harness racing queen simply blitzed her 11 rivals in the Group Three $40,000 event. -Read full article

New Zealand /11.9.2010

Harnesslink Admin | 8:12 pm | 9 November 2010

Herculean effort by Gold Ace in Sires Stakes ‘My greatest moment in harness racing’. That’s how Pukekohe trainer Steven Reid described Gold Ace’s massive half-head victory in today’s (Tuesday November 9) Group One NRM Sires Stakes Final for New Zealand’s best 3-year-old pacers. -Read full article

New Zealand / 11.6.2010

Harnesslink Admin | 12:08 am | 6 November 2010 The mile rate was only 2:04.2 but Russley Rascal’s easy two-length win in tonight’s (Friday November 5) feature pace at Alexandra Park was nothing short of startling. It was the 4-year-old’s first run back since Harness Jewels day on June 6 – but the way he won you’d think he’d been racing all season. - Read full article.

Singapore / 8.8.2010

Singapore Turf Club Local News | August 8, 2010 | Craig Brennan A lightweight and a fast run race added up to victory for Dittatore in the $95,000 Open Benchmark 89 Stakes over 1200m on Sunday. Ridden by Barend Vorster, Dittatore scored by a length-and-a-three-quarters over Bionic Boy (Ng Kok Keong) with Kotipelto (Ronnie Stewart) running on for third a short head away. The Brazilian-bred gelding landed his fourth win from 19 starts since his arrival in Singapore. - Read full article

Singapore / 8.1.2010

Singapore Turf Club Local News | August 1, 2010 | Craig Brennan He arrived from Argentina highly touted but it took Escamonda 11 starts to crack it for his first win in Singapore. That came about on Sunday in the $95,000 Open Benchmark 89 Stakes over 1600m. Allowed his own way in front, Escamonda, ridden by Barend Vorster, scored by three-and-a-quarter lengths over Villain (Sean Cormack) with Kanegura (Sam Subian) a half-length away third. - Read full article

Singapore / 7.23.2010

Singapore Turf Club Local News | July 23, 2010 | Craig Brennan Trainer Patrick Shaw went right back to basics with Argentinean import Jamal Malik with happy results when he took out the $55,000 Class 4 Stakes over 1600m on Friday night. After his first two starts Shaw elected to remove the winkers and tongue tie from Jamal Malik’s gear with happy results. Ridden by Barend Vorster, Jamal Malik overpowered his rivals to score by a neck over perennial bridesmaid Monterey (John Powell) with the early leader Benji’s Glory (Danny Beasley) holding on for third a further neck away. - Read full article

New Zealand / 7.21.2010

New Zealand Herald | July 21, 2010 | Michael Guerin Racing’s fallen hero Auckland Reactor could be back in New Zealand next month but a return to the racetrack here looks increasingly unlikely. - Read full article

Singapore / 7.2.2010

Singapore Turf Club Local News  |  July 2, 2010  |  Michael Lee Going On Here returned to winning ways in the $55,000 Class 4 race over 1800m on Friday thanks mainly to a patient ride by jockey Barend Vorster. The South Afican jockey had the Argentinian-bred by Orpen settled in an ideal spot in the rear before being bustled up for his run 300m out. Sporting winkers for the first time, Going On Here gathered in the leaders once he found a gap at the 200m to score by a quarter length from Daad’s the Way (Ismail Andy) with Bowie Knife (Saifudin Ismail) an encouraging third another three parts of a length away after showing the way. The winning time was 1min 53.77secs. - Read full article

New Zealand / 6.8.2010

nzhearld.co.nz  |  8 June 2010  |  by Mike Dillon It’s not a new quote, but you never know when you’re winning in the racing game. Tony Ihaka knew he was on the winner of the McGregor Grant Steeplechase, which was why he was sitting in the sauna at Ellerslie racecourse at 7.30am yesterday. - Read full article.

New Zealand / 6.7.2010

Thoroughbred News  |  7 June 2010  |  by Jeff Dore Waitete Boy (9 B. G. Charnwood Forest – Tabura, by Sir Tristram) gave trainer Craig Amrein his biggest success when he raced away to win the $23,500, Grade 3, McGregor Grant Steeplechase over sixteen fences and 4150 metres on Queen’s Birthday Monday at Ellerslie. - Read full article.

New Zealand / 5.28.2010

Harnesslink News Room  |  11:23 pm  |  28 May 2010 Vicky Purdon has achieved a lot in harness racing, but a Jewels Crown has eluded her. In eight days time the Canterbury owner and breeder could have a ‘Jewels Diamond’ to take back to Christchurch with her – that’s if her 4-year-old mare Imagine Me can repeat tonight’s Friday May 28 victory at Alexandra Park. - Read full article.

New Zealand / 5.20.2010

Harnesslink News Room  |  2:23 pm  |  20 May 2010 Auckland Reactor N’s New Jersey trainer, ex-pat Kiwi Kelvin Harrison believes New Zealand’s two-time ‘Harness-Horse-of-the-Year’ can pace at least a 1:50 mile in his first American race at the Meadowlands on Saturday (May 22). - Read full article.

Great Britain / 5.17.2010

HSBC World Cup Eventing  |  17 May 2010  | GBR British-based Australian Sam Griffiths kept his country at the forefront of the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing rankings with a superb win at Chatsworth (GBR), his first ever victory in this series. This latest result means that Australian riders have won three out of the first five of the 12 events across three continents and 10 countries in the 2010 HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing. - Read full article.

New Zealand / 5.17.2010

Harnesslink Admin  |  12:23 pm  |  17 May 2010 It was Purdon/Payne one two three at the end of the $146,047 Nevele R Fillies final today (Saturday) at Addington Raceway. The harness racing giants delivered the perfect result for the connections of Secret Potion (1st) Meredith Maguire (2nd) and Lancome(3rd). - Read full article

New Zealand / 5.17.2010

Harnesslink News Room  |  12:43 pm  |  17 May 2010 Only one thing could get Nicole Molander to down the blue-and-grey star colours of Mark Purdon’s stable – her family. And it’s not the throng of family members who mobbed her after she produced a brilliant drive to get Secret Potion home in Saturday’s (May 15) $150,000 Nevele R Fillies’ Final at Addington. - Read full article

New Zealand / 5.15.2010

Harnesslink News Room  |  7:15 pm  |  15 May 2010 It was the harness racing A-Team that struck again a race later after running the trifecta in the fillies final when Two year Kylie Ree rocked Paramount Gee Gee’s boat and sent favourite punters reeling in the Group two Sires Stakes Trotters Championship at Addington Raceway. - Read full article

New Zealand / 5.14.2010

Harnesslink Admin  |  11:13 am  |  14 May 2010 At the Meadowlands qualifiers this morning, 6-year-old Auckland Reactor got his final tune-up for his North American debut. New Zealand’s reigning Horse of the Year won his third consecutive qualifier, this time in a best 1:51.2 with a final quarter of :27.4. He won by 14-1/2 lengths for driver John Campbell. - Read full article.