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Otago Daily Times
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Butt determined to lead with Bet N Win
Bob Butt has a plan. The top Kiwi horseman is heading into his first Interdominion final drive with serious intent aboard young trotting star Bet N Win at Albion Park on Saturday night. Bet N Win has drawn gate 5 in the $A500,000 ($NZ548,000) final but will move into gate 4 if emergency Sir Fahrenheit does not get a run, while main danger Arcee Phoenix has the pole. "It's a good draw but not great with Arcee Phoenix drawn one," Butt said. "I have to have a crack for a lead and ask more of my horse at the start than I ever have before. "It could go a long way to deciding who wins the race. "All series, we've seen the huge advantage of being on the markers' pegs at Albion Park." While Bet N Win has run to the front from similar draws in both heats, Butt said he did not know just how far out the 5-year-old could be. "No, because I've basically let him run to the front rather than ask him every time he's led so far. I'm sure there's more speed there, but just how much is the question. "This is the time to find out. It's a $500,000 race and we've got a good draw. I have to give it a serious crack to try and lead." Butt said Bet N Win's professionalism gave him the confidence to be daring at the start. "He's a great racehorse, almost your perfect racehorse," he said. "A lot of horses you'd be worried about pushing them off the gate hard, but not him. "You can use him early and then he'll just spit the bit out and relax again. It's probably his greatest quality. "Even if I go hard this week and don't get across, he'll relax in the running line and be somewhere handy." Butt, who is back in New Zealand with his team and returns to Brisbane tomorrow, said it was a huge buzz just being part of his first Interdominion. "Absolutely, in so many ways," he said. "Obviously Bet N Win's preparation couldn't have gone better and he won both races comfortably. "But also just to be part of a series with so much history and one I grew up watching and dreaming of winning. "Lyell Creek's win [Moonee Valley in 2000] is the first one I really remember. How could you not love that?" The other New Zealand trotting finalist, Oscar Bonavena, has landed gate 12 after being ruled out of the draw following another gallop in his second-round heat. "It's a good thing. He seems to make his mistakes when he's off the front," co-trainer Nathan Purdon said. "We thrilled he managed to sneak into the final and we know he's good enough to be right in the finish if he gets it all right." — HRNZ By Adam Hamilton
Otago Daily Times
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Not even barrier 1 should stop champ
Not even the worst possible barrier draw should stop champion pacer Leap To Fame from winning a second Interdominion pacing title. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon initially shook his head in disbelief when Leap To Fame drew gate one in Saturday night's final at Albion Park after having barrier 8 [inside of the back row] in both qualifying heats. "Most horses would love the pole, but it's the one draw we didn't want," he said. That is because Leap To Fame has only average early gate speed and, if he is crossed at the start, traffic and luck in running becomes a potential issue in the $A1 million ($NZ1.1m) race. But Dixon's initial look at the rivals drawn on the front row, eased his frustration somewhat. "It's not a really fast front row. There's nothing explosive, who looks certain to get across us," he said. "I think we're a chance to hold up and lead. That's what I'll be trying to do anyway. "At least it's a real staying race [3157m] so if he is crossed, we've got plenty of time to find some clear air." Leap To Fame eased from $1.10 to $1.25 after drawing the pole. The 6-year-old has not been beaten at Albion Park since November 4, 2023. He has won 20 successive races at the track since. Just as he did in the 2023 Brisbane Interdominion, Leap To Fame is aiming for a clean sweep after winning all his qualifying heats. Leap To Fame missed last year's Sydney Interdominion through illness, which paved the way for Don Hugo to win. Don Hugo then upset Leap To Fame in the Miracle Mile on March 8, but Leap To Fame has beaten him in all three other clashes, including last Saturday night's heat when Don Hugo had torrid run and tired for seventh. Don Hugo has gate 6 and loads of early speed, but will trainer-driver Luke McCarthy dare to unleash him over an untried marathon distance? Leap To Fame is one of three finalists for Dixon. His wife Trista will drive Aroda (gate 13) and Jack Chapple will partner Tims A Trooper (gate eight). Queensland trainer Shannon Price said "ask me Thursday" who stable driver Adam Sanderson will partner out of Speak The Truth (gate 3) and Sure Thing Captain (12). Menangle trainers Kerry Ann and Robbie Morris also have two runners, Cya Art (gate 4) and old marvel Petes Said So, who will contest his fourth consecutive grand final at his 215th start. Victorian star Catch A Wave drew gate 7 and is a $21 shot. — HRNZ By Adam Hamilton
RNZ News
16-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Prominent harness racing trainer Nigel McGrath granted 'partial return' to industry after cheating ban
Photo: PIXABAY / Creative Commons A prominent harness racing trainer banned for eight years after admitting cheating has been granted a "partial return" to the industry. Nigel McGrath made headlines after he was banned in July 2020 for eight years. The ban came after he admitted charges of attempting to administer a prohibited substance by way of nasal gastric tube, refusing to make a statement, and obstructing a racecourse investigator. McGrath has 570 wins in his 20-year career with $6 million in stake money. On Monday, Harness Racing New Zealand chief executive Brad Steele confirmed to RNZ a decision had been made allowing him to make a "partial return" to harness racing. Do you know more? Email At the last Harness Racing New Zealand AGM a rule change was passed allowing any banned party to apply for an exemption if they have served at least half of their penalty, Steele said. McGrath then applied for an exemption. HRNZ's exemptions committee met to consider the matter and concluded that some of the conditions regarding McGrath's ban would change. This includes McGrath now being allowed to earn prize money again. "It is however under tightly managed conditions and it is up to him to prove he has changed his ways," Steele said. McGrath cannot hold a trainer's or driver's licence and he cannot act as a stable representative or make official decisions on behalf of a training operation but he is able to work in licenced stables under direct supervision. He will remain unable to enter a racecourse when a meeting is taking place. Steele said there would be "zero tolerance". "Any breach of these exemptions would result in immediate consequences, including the potential reinstatement of his disqualification." McGrath's involvement would be subject to regular review and monitoring by the Racing Integrity Board and HRNZ. "The decision balances disciplinary actions with the industry's obligations to rehabilitate," Steels said. "A decision to provide anyone with a chance to be re-integrated should not be mistaken for leniency." Steele acknowledged the decision "would not be welcomed by everyone in the sport". "We take those comments onboard and the issue has prompted us to commit to a review of the industry's integrity standards and processes. "It will be an opportunity for everyone in the sport to have their say and will happen shortly."
Otago Daily Times
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
After commanding Diamonds Day win, Jumal has trainer, driver in his thrall
Jumal, with Samantha Ottley at the reins, winds down having won the Diamond Creek Farm Classic at Ascot Park in Invercargill on Sunday. PHOTO: HRNZ / YOUTUBE There is only going to be one argument between Steven Reid and Samantha Ottley after Jumal's Group 1 win on Diamonds Day. The 2-year-old justified his red-hot favouritism on Sunday with a brilliant win in the Diamond Creek Farm Classic at Ascot Park. While Reid and Ottley are in agreement on Jumal being a classy customer, the pair are yet to agree on who is the bigger fan of the exciting youngster. "I think Steven thinks he's his No1 fan, but no, I certainly am," Ottley said. "He is just a wee gem. For having three starts, he is just such a wee professional. "If you look at him now, you wouldn't even know he has had a race." Ottley's high opinion of Jumal was part of the reason the reinswoman took no chances in Sunday's Group 1 feature. After runner-up Freeze Frame took the lead off the favourites early, Ottley immediately retook the front. "I thought on paper he was the best horse in the field, so I thought I would take luck out of it. "I knew he would be good in front or in behind." Reid and Ottley have formed a winning association in the months since the trainer moved from Auckland to Canterbury. The reinswoman was full of praise for the trainer, who has unearthed yet another star pacer in Jumal. "You get a lot of confidence driving for Steven," Ottley said. "He has his horses ready to go and they're very, very sharp. "I have been lucky not just to drive for this fellow, but I have had a few winners for him, and I hope it can continue." Jumal is raced by Malcolm Wrigley from Reid's old stomping ground in Pukekohe. The northern owner, who made the trip south to take in Jumal's Group 1 triumph, shares in the ownership of the pacer with Reid's partner, Bella Storer. Ottley and Reid contributed to a special result for the Dawe family on Diamonds Day with Rakero Lightning. The pacer ran second to Midnight Babe in Sunday's opener, both horses raced by Dawe Contracting. The quinella came days after the death of Ray Dawe, who owned both Dawe Contracting and Rakero Racing Stables alongside Ronnie and Kevin Dawe. Midnight Babe is by champion sire Bettor's Delight from the outstanding former race mare Beaudiene Bad Babe, who won the Group 2 Southern Oaks Final on Diamonds Day in 2009.
