Twenty Questions with Greg Crawford

Posted on 25/07/201511/08/2017 by Neil Bennett

Tuesday July 20, 2015 Greg Crawford has an interest in 16 harness horses through syndicates, and became hooked on harness racing in 1972 after winning some money on a bet at the Oamaru races. 1)You were appointed the Harness Racing Owners' representative on the HRNZ Board of Directors. How did that come about? 1) I was asked to stand which I consider to be a great honour and privilage. I want to the best that I can. 2)What made you interested in becoming involved at that level? 2) Over the years I have been treasurer of many organisations. In actual fact I am still Treasu...

Twenty questions with Sue Blake

Posted on 27/06/2015 by Neil Bennett

Tuesday June 9, 2015 Talented amateur driver Sue Blake developed a love for horses as a small child. She works full time in the trust company business now but says ``driving and training horses is the most exciting thing I do.'' 1) How long have you been an Amateur driver? I got my Amateur Novice Licence in 2009. I had to complete 10 competent drives signed off by a Stipendary Steward, or professional driver, followed by a time trial and oral exam to obtain my Full Amateur Licence in 2010. 2) What made you interested in becoming an Amateur? I have always been interested in hor...

Twenty Questions with Emily Morgan

Posted on 07/06/201507/06/2015 by GeekGirl

She is a young Information Technology (IT) whizz, known as Geek Girl. She loves harness horses and harness racing, particularly the "social side'' and believes more young people could be attracted to harness racing by changing the image. "I think a lot of people associate Harness Racing with New Zealand Cup day – therefore they see it as all about drinking and gambling when it’s not really either of those things. I remember the Christchurch Casino did a big marketing campaign a few years ago that really emphasised the fun, and the non-gambling offerings at the casino. I think Harness Racin...

Twenty Questions with Peter Cook

Posted on 20/05/201521/05/2015 by GeekGirl

Tuesday May 12, 2015 Peter Cook is one of harness racing's biggest fans. He's an avid racegoer who would like to see two-year-old racing banned, and says the best meal he has ever had on a racecourse was in Italy. He's been the secretary of the New Zealand Harness Racing Trainers' and Drivers' Association for 28 years, and is working towards becoming an Amateur driver. 1) You have been secretary of the New Zealand Harness Racing Trainers' and Drivers' Association for how many years now? ``About 28 years.'' 2) How did you become involved with the Association? ``Many years ago, I answe...

12 Questions with Brendon Hill

Posted on 13/03/201513/03/2015 by GeekGirl

Brendon Hill, trainer and co-owner of exciting young pacer Dalton Bromac, answers twelve questions from Shelley Caldwell Topp. When Kaiapoi trainer Brendon Hill first saw Dalton Bromac racing from John and David Butcher's Hamilton stable, he liked his style so much he decided to buy him. His good friend Noel Bowden joined him in the ownership and the exciting young pacer has given them many thrills since then. Dalton Bromac won his first race for Brendon and Noel in July this year (2014) , at Addington, with only three race starts prior to that for a second, a win and a fifth. He...

Twenty Questions with Neil Bennett

Posted on 27/02/201502/03/2015 by GeekGirl

Harness racing addiction started at school Christchurch engineer Neil Bennett became “addicted” to Harness Racing while still at primary school. Now he manages the Griffins and Seafield Syndicates, and has an interest in 18 horses, including the talented trotters Sol Invictus (7 wins, $61,741) and Father Christmas (three wins and two thirds from only seven starts). He’s having an exciting season, with 15 wins to date, and loves travelling around New Zealand to watch his horses race. His idea of a great day out? “Fly to Queenstown – hire a vehicle – watch horse race at Omak...

Twenty questions with Ray Anicich

Posted on 27/02/2015 by GeekGirl

Thursday, October 9, 2014 By Shelley Caldwell-Topp He’s 86 years young and has been involved with harness horses since the day he bought Petronella, 37 years ago. It was an inspired, well-researched decision that has taken him and his family on an exciting ride. 1) You recently won the Pacing Breeder of the Year at the Canterbury Breeders, Owners, and Trainers and Drivers Awards. How did that feel? “Icing on the cake, my passion being breeding from when I was a kid.” 2) As the breeder of Tiger Tara, it must be thrilling to see him racing so well. “Absolutely.” 3) What w...

Twenty questions with Mitchell Robertson

Posted on 27/02/2015 by GeekGirl

Wednesday, October 8, 2014 By Shelley Caldwell-Topp He’s a talented young racing journalist who grew up around harness horses. He had his first job working for Harnesslink New Zealand, and now works as a booking agent for drivers, and a bloodstock agent buying and selling horses. He hates Harness Racing Australia’s import levy on New Zealand horses “as does everyone I have spoken to about it,” and would love to see it scrapped. “It makes it harder for us to sell our horses and harder for Australians to buy.” 1) How long have you been involved with harness racing? “I was broug...

Twenty questions with Paul Walton

Posted on 27/02/2015 by GeekGirl

Paul Walton, Managing Director of the Granite Benchtop Company, new sponsor for the Group One $80,000 New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All to be held on New Zealand Trotting Cup Day at Addington Raceway on Tuesday November 11. Paul, along with his partner Helen Conaghan, is also the owner of eight lucky standardbreds. 1) How did you become interested in Harness Racing? “We did some work at Dancing On Moonlight for Robert & Kerry Famularo and they kindly invited us (under duress) to Cup Day. We sat in the birdcage area, Monkey King won the cup and we have been back ev...

30 Questions with Trevor Casey

Posted on 27/02/2015 by GeekGirl

Wednesday, November 5 2014 Trevor Casey got involved with harness racing as a teenager and has been hooked ever since. He now owns, or has an interest in, 20 race horses, and is breeding from 6 mares. He is a generous sponsor of harness racing through his popular restaurant Lone Star Riccarton, supports the notion of an Owners’ card, and would like to see better stakes at the bottom end of harness racing. 1) You own quite a large team of very nice horses, including the lovely trotter Stent. How did you co...