Kurow Harness Racing Club

Bannockburn capped a string of minor placings with his win in the Marshall Transport /Valli Wine Kurow Mobile Pace. Given a good run three back on the outer by Wilson House, the Aaron Swain-trained Bannockburn was too sharp for his rivals.

Bannockburn (Wilson House) is in command at the finish.

Dreams Are Free wins the 2026 Kurow Cup.

“A top run from the handicap. We will back here for the Hannon Memorial and nominate for the New Zealand Cup,’’ said trainer -driver Nathan Williamson after combining with Dreams Are Free to win the Waitaki Hotel Kurow Cup (2600m) at Oamaru today. Williamson took Dreams Are Free to the front at 1200m and he did not have to driven out to hold off Borrisokane with J T Boe third. It was the ninth win in 29 starts for Dreams Are Free raced by Brendan Fahy and the Dreams Are Free syndicate. His time of 3.14.1 compared with the race record of 3.13.2 set by Mossdale Ben in 2023.

The owners and trainer of Dreams Are Free after their Kurow Cup win today.

Swift Dream gave a polished display of front running in the hands of leading reinsman Blair Orange to win the Brian Bennett Transport Kurow Cup for trotters. It was the fifth win for the 10yr-old son of Superfast Stuart, owned and trained at Kohika (South Canterbury) by Noel Taylor who races him with Mrs K Bennett.

Swift Dream (Blair Orange) with owner-trainer Noel Taylor.

Noel Taylor weighed down with trophies after winning the Kurow Totters Cup.

Mighty Flying Lou came wide on the track from last at the 400m to prevail in a close finish. Mighty Flying Lou was driven by Ricky May for trainer Laurence Hanrahan, a combination that has had numerous winners, including The Tough Nut who won 15 before he was consigned to the United States. Russell Beardsley a part-owner of Mighty Flying Lou was also in the ownership of The Tough Nut, who raced in the late 1990s. Diana Pye and Hanrahan are also in the ownership of Mighty Flying Lou.

Mighty Flying Lou (9 Ricky May), wide out gets in the deciding stride.

Help Me was a clearcut winner of the Kurow Auto Centre/ Te Kano Estate Trot. Ricky May improved Help Me from sixth to lead at the 500m and Help Me won by two and three quarter lengths for owner-trainers Warren and Deane Stapleton.

Help Me (Ricky May) out on his own at the finish.

Shane Matheson posted his 100th win as a trainer with Tua Lipa in the Mag and Turbo Dunedin Handicap Pace. The win came 35 years after the Balfour trainer had won his first race with Little Miss Watch at Gore. Tua Lipa, driven by Samantha Ottley, improved three wide from the 800m from ninth to take the decision.

Tua Lipa (Samantha Ottley) wins

Kimberly Butt, substituting for Carter Dalgety, rated Suspicious Captain well in front to win the Waitaki Hotel Social Club Mobile Pace. Suspicious Captain held out Major Lazarus by three parts of a length. Dalgety, the leading junior driver left for South Africa on Saturday to follow the All Blacks.
Suspicious Captain, trained by Cran and Chrissy Dalgety and raced by Boots Properties Racing Ltd is a 3yr-old by Captain Crunch from Albuquerque and thus a half brother to Millwood Nike, who was unbeaten in 17 starts.

Kimberly Butt after her win with Suspicious Captain

Conan unleashed a powerful finish to post his maiden win in the Collie Hills Stud/Combined Services Club Twizel Pace. It was the first winning experience for Campbell McArthur, of Ashburton , a part-owner. Jonny Cox guided 3yr-old from sixth entering the straight to win by a lengh and a quarter for trainers Brent and Tim White.