Jonny Turner

A new stallion will stand on the Taieri Plain next spring when South Australian Derby winner Howard Be Thy Name starts his stud duties at Grassyards Farm.

Riverton mare Lil Swiss Miss saved her supporters any concern when thrashing her rivals by a huge 13 lengths in the Wairio Cup at Ascot Park yesterday.

Boom Southland pacer U May Cullect will get a bonus opportunity to impress his ever-expanding fan base at Winton today.

Oamaru trotter Ultimate Stride paid back a good chunk of his sales-topping purchase price when he won the 2yr-old Yearling Sales Series Final at Addington last night.

Prominent North Island trainers have backed claims by their South Island counterparts that the country's handicapping system is destroying the careers of young racehorses.

A big last start effort on Diamonds Day has Forbury Park pacer Parama primed for a big run on his home track tonight.

New Zealand-bred champion Lazarus will stand his first season at stud in the southern hemisphere in New South Wales under a landmark deal.

Ascot Park 3yr-old The Bird Dance produced a stunning finish to win and provide a highlight on his home track on Saturday.

Riccarton galloper He Kin Fly continued his brilliant run of form when winning the Great Easter Stakes on his home track on Saturday to register his fourth consecutive win.

Spankem again showed he is nearly impossible to catch in the lead when he won the New Zealand Messenger Championship at Alexandra Park last night.

The booms echoing around Southland this morning will not just be heard from duck shooters on the season's opening morning.

Harness Racing New Zealand yesterday announced it would trial minor changes to its embattled handicapping system.

The New Zealand Messenger Championship at Alexandra Park tonight could be another case of catch-me-if-you-can for the rivals of the seemingly uncatchable Spankem.

Riccarton trainer Neill Ridley thinks the timing is right for leading South Island sprinter Prince Oz to be tested at 1400m tomorrow.

Last week harness racing trainers gave a damning report on the country's ratings-based handicapping system in this paper.

Forgotten trotter Oscar Bonavena showed he was on track for a late Harness Jewels tilt when making his first public appearance since December earlier this week.

Weight could be what stops leading Southland steeplechaser Tai Ho making a winning start to his jumping season at Riverton today.

Otago horsemen topped yesterday's South Island thoroughbred sale in Christchurch when dual-code trainer Graeme Anderson bought a rising 2yr-old filly from the White Robe Lodge draft.

Southland's star act U May Cullect helped his trainers, Kirstin Barclay and Paul Ellis, score a quartet of wins at their province's biggest race day at Ascot Park on Saturday.

A host of feature races await Southern Supremacy Stakes winner Memphis Tennessee.