Capacity Fields, Keen Contests, Close Finishes. All add up to a close to perfect start to the Sires’ Stakes Spring!
Another 10 well-matched fillies fronting up in Auckland for Heat 3 of the Nevele R Fillies Series makes more great reading for NZSS executive Martin Pierson—given the capacity fields and close contests so far in harness racing's greatest race series for female pacing standardbreds.
"The gloves are off now, so it's encouraging to see the northern stables come to the Nevele R Series Party with a bit of gusto off the back of the two 'conditioned' races at Addington."
Early Rounds Loaded with Highlights
Auckland Speed Trap
With a few Autumn Stakes season stars still watching from the sidelines, another keen contest over the exciting 1700 metre sprint trip around Alexandra Park is in store.
Girls the quality of Gracey, Debs, Lisa, Sandy, Mags, and Misty— Heat 3 can only be rated a must-see this weekend!
Southbound to SteamPunk Central
The most southern heat of the series is Sunday in New Zealand’s SteamPunk Capital—Oamaru!
Some bangers in this group have thrown an entry into the mosh pit...
The Cullen Racing trio of Winelight, General Jen, and Arafura will make it feel real for the prospects who might've been clinging to hopes of a cosy ride in what can be a moderate heat.
Not this year...
Those three fine fillies have been cruising around the trials in Canterbury recently, looking fresh and fast in preparation for their first run of the stakes season—and boom filly Beside Me is only a week behind.
What Next for Original Service Fee Tethered Stakes Race?
During its decade of existence, the Woodlands Stud Harness 7000 has helped enhance pedigree pages and put serious stake money in the pockets of stakeholders whose progeny might have been tagged “bubbling under” at the time they contested the now $50,000 Listed Stakes Race.
Some of the past winners have spilled over into the big time since.
2022 victor Aardie's Express is probably the headliner.
Bought as a yearling by fearless Canadian enthusiast Mike Tanev from Bromac Lodge and Slingsby Holdings, the big and bolshy filly was originally prepared by Steve Dolan—who suggested she might benefit from a larger stable environment where training with other horses would bring her into line a bit.
So, she fell into the Telfer Stable and, after some initial adjustments, never looked back—winning 13 of 19 New Zealand races en route to gaining a sizable bankroll of career stakes money and 1.48-mile street cred across multiple racing jurisdictions.
A Format Shift?
This weekend will possibly be the last Harness 7000 formatted feature. But Martin Pierson is confident there’s a new race more than likely in the wings next year for Sires’ Stakes eligible standardbreds—not necessarily by stallions with service fees of $7000 or below.
“I think we’ll leave that concept to the Harness 5000 series now and work toward an inclusive race for Sires Stakes eligible horses going forward,” suggested Pierson this week.
The Harness Racing New Zealand series is restricted to participants who’ve invested in value stallions in recent years. It’s part of a strategy designed to encourage more of that budget-motivated spend in future—to stabilize and then increase flat or falling standardbred foal numbers.
“There seems to be plenty of enthusiasm for the ‘5000’ finals day in December which should be a bonanza. I guess the Sires’ Stakes is just conscious of the number of horses in those lower grades by stallions beyond that service fee threshold—and that in fact tying a $50,000 race to those conditions might not be the best format for us going forward.”
What’s Next Then?
New Zealand Sires Stakes Board discussions so far have been broad and enthusiastic around more mares racing and opportunities for older horses—without nailing anything down just yet.
Their Cup Week get-together should shed more light.
In the meantime, the dress rug and trophy for this 2025 Harness 7000 might become collectors’ items. Pierson himself is looking for a second breeding success in the race through Crunch Time, having already helped produce the 2023 winner, Coney Island Lou!
NZ Sires’ Stakes Spring Schedule
August 22
Nevele R Fillies Series
Heat 1, Addington
Winner: ‘Duchess of Kent’
August 29
Dunstan Horsefeeds Two-Year-Old Sires Stakes
Heat 1, Auckland.
Winner: ‘Alecto’
September 5
Nevele R Series
Heat 2, Addington.
Winner: Celestial Sea
Dunstan Horsefeeds Series
Heat 2, Auckland
Winner: Shezsofast
Caduceus Two-Year-Old Fillies
Prelude, Addington.
Winner: Lizzie Borden
Woodlands Two-Year-Old C&G Sires Stakes
Heat 1, Auckland.
Winner: Cyclone Rebel
September 12
Nevele R Series
Heat 3, Auckland.
Woodlands Harness 7000
Addington
September 14
Nevele R Series
Heat 4, Oamaru
September 19
IRT 2YO Trot Preludes
Auckland & Addington
Macca Lodge 3YO Filly Trot Classique
Addington
Caduceus 2YO Fillies’
Final, Auckland
Woodlands 2YO Series
Heat 2&3, Auckland & Addington
