Southern Harness News with Jonny Turner

14/11/2023

Come on a New Zealand Cup winning ride with Jason Grimson and his team!

14/11/2023

The old master Phil Williamson has Love N The Port back to his brilliant best in the Group Three Worthy Queen Trot.

Hear from Matty who is on fire on our biggest day of racing!

14/11/2023

Third for Advance Party in the Group 1 Fillies Final!

13/11/2023

The Southerners take the first on New Zealand Cup Day with Matthew Williamson guiding the Ricki Allen trained Cody Banner to victory for his southern owners Tony Gow, Steve Pulley, Ray Chalklin and Graeme Anderson.

13/11/2023

Hoping the Southern horses can make their mark at today's New Zealand Cup Day at Addington!

12/11/2023

Nathan Williamson unleashed two exceptional Captaintreacherous two-year-olds this week in Ruby Roe and Dreams Are Free.

In between them, he produced Bettor's Delight pacer Miraculous for a stunning maiden victory.

I threw some s**t banter at Nath, but as always the GOAT was on his game!

Lastly, we also discussed Nathan's two Group One starters on New Zealand Cup Day.

12/11/2023

I caught up with trainer Tony Stratford to get the story behind Dreamalittledream who was an impressive winner in her Southern debut at Wyndham today.

12/11/2023

Another win at Wyndham today showed Shane Matheson and Lisa Barrie has Abadabadoo flying.

Hear about the mare's return to the track after two and a half years with Lisa, who is now the Matheson stable's official media spokesperson!

11/11/2023

Check out our trainers and drivers best chances for Wyndham tomorrow 👇

05/11/2023

Steve Baucke hadn't lined up a horse so far this spring before Sweet Soul Sister ran to victory at Ascot Park today.

I caught up with Steve to see what his horses have been up to.

05/11/2023

🔥 Seven starters - four winners, a quinella and three placings 🔥
Kirstin Green was absolutely on fire at Ascot Park today.

Hear from Kirstin on her big day out ⬇️

05/11/2023

Bill Keeler added his long list of breeding successes when Frosty Girl cleared maidens at Ascot Park today.

I caught up with the popular former studmaster and breeder following his win.

04/11/2023

Kirstin Green has a must-follow team starting at Ascot Park today.

Hear how she thinks each of her runners are placed here 👉 https://southernharness.co.nz/news/2023/11/green-team-preparing-for-cup-week-raid-at-ascot

28/10/2023

Following the outstanding efforts of our drivers, a big line up of jockeys in the thoroughbred code have pledged to donate a riding fee to the charitable trust set up to support Katie Cox.

Sam Wynne has been the driving force behind the idea and she has a whole heap of jockeys on board including: Johnathan Parkes, Sam Weatherley, Corey Campbell, Lemmy Douglas, Rohan Mudhoo, Yogesh Atchamah, Sanu Toolooa, Kin Kwo, Krishna Mudhoo, Ashkay Balloo, Chowdhoory Kavesh, Diego Montes de Oca, Kylie Williams, Katie Hercock, Jasmine Fawcett, Courtney Barnes, Tina Comignaghi, Denby-Rose Tait and Lily Sutherland, as well as Sam herself.

Awesome to see!!!

Whatever with Wiggy

26/10/2023

After her horse Sea Fury ran to victory at Winton yesterday, I caught up with Southern Harness chair Penny Baynes to discuss how Southern Harness is placed amid the changes to HRNZ’s governance.

26/10/2023

Recently, Kirstin Green came up with the idea of drivers donating a driving fee each week during November as a way drivers could quickly raise much needed funds for their fellow horsewoman Katie Cox.

I approached a few of the drivers in action at Winton today to see if they were keen and the response was unanimous.

As well as donating through this idea, many trainers and drivers have indicated they'll be supporting the fundraising drive to support Katie's cancer battle in other ways, too.

So great to see the wonderful people in this great game coming together to back a much needed cause.

Donations can be made here:
Whatever with Wiggy Charitable Trust CC59951
Katie Cox Appeal
06-0837-0390071-01

Whatever with Wiggy

25/10/2023

Our trainers and drivers have delivered their best chances for tomorrow's Winton meeting

Hopefully they are on the mark again 👇

22/10/2023

Trainer Chris Gerken and his family were thrilled when Hazer prevailed in an outstanding finish to the Tuapeka Lodge Tuapeka Cup.

Hear from Chris about the story behind Hazer plus the Gerken family's Nickels For Pickles Syndicate, plus comment from winning driver Kerryn Tomlinson.

20/10/2023

The Southern harness racing industry's trainers, drivers and administrators are rallying behind the fundraising efforts to support Katie Cox in her battle with cancer.

Kirstin Lee Green is calling on all drivers across the country to donate a driving fee each week as a way of quickly raising money to donate to the charitable trust set up by Whatever with Wiggy for Katie's treatment.

Southern Harness Racing, Northern Southland Trotting Club, Invercargill Harness Racing, and the Southland Trainers & Drivers Assn have all pledged to contribute and they hope their fellow groups can do the same.
It is hoped a system can be set up so that both trainers and drivers can easily donate their earnings on the track to the cause.

Read more here: https://southernharness.co.nz/news/2023/10/southern-industry-rallies-to-support-katie-cox

19/10/2023

12/10/2023

In her first trip south for a little while, Sheree Tomlinson was on fire at Wyndham yesterday producing a winning treble with Quinn, Hazer and Insarchatwist.

I caught up with her after the last ⬇️

12/10/2023

Jamie Gameson and Lyndon Bond have formed a great association with Jamie sending horses south to race under Bondy's care in recent seasons.

Hear about the great results the pair produced at Wyndham today with the quinella of The Wulver and Potter and Blithe making it two in a row.

12/10/2023

Craig Ferguson produced Rustenberg for a highly impressive victory at Wyndham today and only minutes later he doubled up with Huki Fella.

Hear about both winners, as well as tomorrow's Group One starter Wag Star.

11/10/2023

Impressive spring performer Raklou is back in action at Wyndham today.

Hear how she's been progressing from trainer-driver Peter Hunter

https://southernharness.co.nz/news/2023/10/impressive-filly-raklou-to-return-at-wyndham

11/10/2023

Our southern trainers and drivers have again delivered their best chances for tomorrow's quality card of racing at Wyndham.

Check them out!

06/10/2023

Gift Card - he's more like a cashflow card!

I caught up with trainer Jamie Campbell to discuss his very consistent trotter after their victory at Ascot Park today.

06/10/2023

Walkinonsunshine was an impressive winner of today's Southland Trotting Oaks.

Hear the story behind the classy three-year-old from trainer Tom Bagrie.

06/10/2023

The team at Macca Lodge produced a winning double at today's Northern Southland meeting with Yosemite and Wayward Angel.

I caught up with team member Bronson Munro to talk about both horses, as well as the busy spring breeding period.

28/09/2023

Clark and Jackie Barron look to have a really nice two-year-old in Bring On The Muscle.

I caught up with Clark to discuss the progress of their impressive debut winner at Gore.

27/09/2023

Wishing the Gore club all the best ahead of the return to racing on their all weather track today.

With a strong card programmed it should be a great day ahead.

Hopefully punters can make a dollar or two, here's a wee suggested multi that looks a solid play.

27/09/2023

🚚 Mark Jones has loaded the truck and headed to the reopening of the Gore all weather track today 🚚

Hear how the trainer rates each of his key threats on the great card of racing ➡️ https://southernharness.co.nz/news/2023/09/-3

27/09/2023

Some pointers from our trainers and drivers to help you as racing on the all-weather at Gore returns!

27/09/2023

Durrant has been absolutely flying lately and his last start 4th when flying home from last at Invercargill was super.

Trainer Ross Hope seems to have the horse in a really good space and he's also formed a great combination with Ollie Kite.

I'm surprised Durrant is paying as much is he is in the fixed odds markets for race 8 at Gore tomorrow.

He is no certainty to win but $7 looks outstanding value, while his top 3 and top 4 prices look more than fair.

25/09/2023

We all know Rory McIlwrick is a talented man, now he is using those talents in a new business venture.

Hear about Rory's work to become an equine massage therapist

Also check out his page Rory Mcilwrick Equine body work

24/09/2023

The Gore HRC is providing a travel incentive for horses north of Dunedin to be part of the return of racing on their all-weather track on Thursday.

I caught up with Gore committee member and Southern Harness chair Penny Baynes to discuss how the club is preparing for their big day.

23/09/2023

It was great to catch up with Kerryn Tomlinson who won her 100th race in the sulky recently.

She made it win number 101 with The Jafa Express at Winton today.

23/09/2023

Captain Tom was like Shaun Johnson slicing through a defensive line when he powered to victory at Winton today.

Hear from trainer Alister Black and driver Brad Williamson.

22/09/2023

🌊 Brent and Tim White's team made it south amid yesterday's chaotic weather and road closures 🌊
And now that they are here, their four horses look set to make a big impact at Winton today

👉 https://southernharness.co.nz/news/2023/09/strong-white-team-make-it-to-southland

22/09/2023

It's been a wet and wild couple of days in the south, so hopefully these picks from our trainers and drivers can warm up your weekend!

22/09/2023

The Winton track has been inspected following the recent flooding across Southland.
Remedial work took place and stewards have given it the tick of approval for racing tomorrow.