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A day out at Manawatu Raceway

The day started out as it was meant to go on when maiden trotter Tequila Sunrise drew first blood in the opening race.  The lightly raced daughter of What The Hill justified her favouritism in what was a perfectly executed drive by David Butcher."She's the second horse I've had for Woodlands Stud so it was nice to get a win on the board for them," said Donnelly.  "She hasn't had a great deal of luck in her races so I was hoping she'd get her turn at Palmy and she duly did."...

Meredith upbeat about his Manawatu drives

21 November 2023Cambridge-based junior driver Zev Meredith's heading south to the Manawatu confident he can add to his winning tally this season.Meredith's enjoying his best ever season with 17 wins so far and he's also secured a spot, along with Sarah O'Reilly and Crystal Hackett, to represent New Zealand at the Australasian Young Drivers' Championship in Queensland next month.Today he has six drives on the seven race programme, headlined by Bad Medicine and Pacing Hope."It's a nice book of dri...

Race previews

Race 1 @ 3.45pm - #3 Tequila SunriseShe hasn't managed to find a lot of luck in her races but definitely gets her chance tomorrow.  Starting off the front tape is a big advantage.  On exposed form she looks a tidy each way chance.Race 3 @ 4.49pm - #4 Carolina MoonFrom her handy draw she has options.  She's only had one start from our barn and it was over a mile so it was hard to get a proper line on her.  Having said that, we'll be looking for improvement.Race 4&nbs...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 12.26pm - #10 JolimontWhile I believe he's one of the best horses in the races, a lot depends on what happens from his draw.  If he gets any sort of luck he'll give them a decent shake.Race 9 @ 4.12pm - #6 Le MajorIt looks as though he'll come into 4 which gives him a few options.  I couldn't be happier with him so I'm sure he'll run a cracking race.Race 11 @ 5.20pm - #6 KangoHe's turned up a perfect draw so definitely gets his chance.  If he lands han...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.27pm - #1 Pacing HopeIt's a perfect draw where she'll follow the markers all day.  The Purdon/Phelan runners look a class above, but she can find her way into the top 4 or 5.Race 3 @ 6.53pm - #6 Tequila SunriseShe was a victim of circumstances last start after getting checked early.  Her barrier manners were great at the workouts on Saturday.  I think she's well in commission.Race 4 @ 7.19pm - #6 Jacqueline RoseA wide draw over the mile makes it tough.&nb...

Race previews

Race 8 @ 4.03pm - #12 KangoHe gave a great sight at Ashburton and fought hard right to the line.  It's a tricky draw, but let's hope the man in the sulky can work his magic.  I'm really happy with him, and with any sort of luck he'll be a competitive chance....

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.16pm - #7 Jacqueline Rose & #11 Carolina MoonBoth these two are newcomers to our stable.We start with Jacqueline Rose who has had one workout since joining us.  It'll be a hard ask from a wide draw over 1700 and she'll definitely benefit from the outing.  If she's finishing the race off I'll be happy.The same can be said for Carolina Moon from her unruly draw.  She'll need luck on her side, but once again if she's making progress late we can...

Race previews

Race 8 @ 3.25pm - #3 JolimontHe was super last week at Addington and hasn't missed a beat since.  From his handy draw he looks a royal chance.Race 9 @ 4.03pm - #5 KangoIt was great to see him turn his form around last week and his work since has been top notch.  I'm expecting him to run a very competitive race....

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.29pm - #2 Red RackhamHis first race back after a freshen up was full of merit.  I've taken him off the unruly so it'll be good to see him start on even terms.  There are a couple of handy 2 year olds in here however, I'd like to think he's a tidy each way chance.Race 4 @ 7.19pm - #2 Pacing HopeThings didn't go her way last start so we'll be looking to take all the shortcuts.  It's a very good form race so she'll need all the breaks to go her way....

Race previews

Race 3 @ 6.19pm - #11 The SurferHe's derived plenty of benefit from his first outing and on exposed form slides in well.  He'd have to be a lovely each way contender.Race 6 @ 7.52pm - #5 DennyI thought he hit the line great fresh up.  There are a couple of 6 race winners in here however, I do expect him to give a very tidy account of himself.Race 7 @ 8.22pm - #7 Pacing Hope & #9 Mr PresidentWhile Pacing Hope has a wide barrier draw, it is her pet dista...

"Aunty" Ayumi's shot at Harness Million glory

By Brigette SolomonAyumi Shibuya has her flights booked, and can't wait for the Harness Million race night at Addington on Friday.That's because "Aunty" Ayumi, as she's known, is a co-owner in the very promising Le Major, a top contender for the NZB Standardbred Harness Million No 4 for the 2YO Colts and Geldings.Trained by Arna Donnelly at Cambridge, Le Major has been impressive winning his last three starts, including two heats of the Woodlands Stud 2YO Sires' Stakes. So it’s fair to say Shi...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.18pm - #8 The SurferWhile I've been happy with both his maiden workouts, a wide draw and big field makes it a tough ask.  Having said that, with luck in the running he can feature amongst them.Race 5 @ 7.34pm - #6 DennyThis guy is back on a new campaign after a couple of workouts.  He's done a stellar job since joining our barn and looks well placed to run a handy race.Race 9 @ 9.14pm - #5 Keep It Klassy & #6 Tequila SunriseKeep It Klassy has been get...

Le Major taking plenty of people on a journey

Art Major gelding Le Major confirmed he's a serious contender for the upcoming 2 year old spoils in Christchurch over the next few months when he won the second Northern Sires Stakes heat at Alexandra Park on Friday.The ease of his win suggests Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly has a nice up-and-comer on her hands.  A closing 800 cut out in 55.4 with the removal deafeners still intact, would lead you to think there's still a bit more under the bonnet.The $28,000 outlaid at the National S...

Race previews

Race 6 @ 7.51pm - #4 Mannion & #7 Bad MedicineWho would believe that Mannion has finally managed to pull a draw.  While it looks a step up in grade, he was very impressive on the clock when winning.  He's one to cover in combinations.Bad Medicine is back after a long layoff.  Both his workouts have been full of merit and his work since has been great.  He'll benefit from the outing, but I expect him to run a very tidy race.Race 7 @ 8.16pm - #2 Bet...

Race previews

Well our race previews are a bit different this week - just thought we'd spice it up a bit!Today I spoke to Bruce Stewart from Harnesslink and gave a run down on all my runners.The attached link will take you directly to the story, then click on the play button of each black bar to hear the lowdown on each runner.https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/virginia-clowers-heads-arnas-list/ Just for interest's sake, 97 individual owner's, including syndicate members, are represented across the 7 ho...

Kango to race in Australia before New Zealand Cup campaign

16 August 2023 , NewsBy Michael GuerinOne of the giant killers of pacing is heading to Victoria to prepare for the New Zealand Cup.Cambridge pacer Kango and his trotting stablemate Virginia Clowers will travel together to Victoria for trainer Arna Donnelly.“I think it is a really good way for him to have good, consistent racing with some good stakes,” says Donnelly“So he will head over soon and if he is racing well in a month or six weeks he could contest the Victoria Cup (October 14)...

Race previews

R2 @ 6:17pm - #2 Tequila SunriseI'm really happy with the way she's progressed at the workouts.  Having said this, it's a big occasion for her with a full field of maiden trotters.  If she does everything right, I'm sure she'll run a solid race....

Race previews

R7 @ 8:09pm - #4 Major Major & #6 Le MajorWe start with Major Major who has had 3 quiet workouts to prepare.  He's progressed nicely with each outing and we'll be looking for him to take the next step.  I'm hoping we see him finishing the race off.Our second runner is Le Major.  While he's only had one workout back, he's quite a natural type.  Whatever he does he'll improve on, but on ability you can't leave him out.R10 @ 9:24pm - #4 Third TimeIt ...

Race previews

R2 @ 6:15pm - #9 Red RackhamIt was a super effort last start to loop them on a hot pace and only be denied late.  Even from his unruly draw, I think he's a very strong hope.R3 @ 6:40pm - #10 Pacing HopeOn exposed form she slides into the race nicely.  With a drag into it she's one to cover in combinations.R5 @ 7:41pm - #3 Third TimeWhile he's drawn perfectly, it's a handy field of one win pacers.  I see him as a tidy each-way chance.R8 @ 9:11pm - #6 New York MinuteBeing ...

Race previews

R4 @ 6:41pm - #7 MannionIt's another nasty draw but he meets a very moderate line up.  On his Auckland form last week, he'd have to be a tidy each-way player....

Race previews

Race 3 @ 6:53pm - #8 Red RackhamWe're definitely on the winning edge with this big guy.  He's gaining more confidence every time he steps out.  There's a couple of handy maidens in here, but I'm sure he'll run a very nice race.Race 5 @ 7:53pm - #1 Mannion & #8 Pacing HopeAfter a run of terrible draws Mannion has turned up the ace.  It's an even line up but he gets his chance.  With a cosy run on the markers I expect him to be right in the fight.Our sec...

AROUND THE STABLES with Garrick Knight

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Race previews

R4 @ 6:44pm - #8 MannionThis guy has had 4 starts back and he's drawn 8 on three occasions, and 7 the other.  He's actually racing better than it looks on paper.  Let's hope he can take a sit and finish the race off.  He's certainly one to look out for once he pulls a draw.Race 5 @ 7:09pm - #11 Pacing HopeA second row draw over the sprint trip makes it a tough ask.  She'll run her usual honest race.  Always a top four or five chance and the harder they go ...

Our Southern find chalking up the wins

When you watched his first 7 starts he looked like a mediocre maiden who didn't stamp his trial and workout form.That's now in the past for Denny after he notched up win number 3 since joining our team."When he arrived less than two months ago we didn't know what to expect" said Donnelly.  "We gave him a few days off then jogged him for a week.  It's fair to say we were quietly surprised when we hoppled him for the first time.  While we don't do a lot with him, and don't generally...

Arna's major players for Alexandra Park

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