News Article - Australian Harness Racing

Guerin: Queensland on radar for Merlin after Derby triumph

25 March 2023

Don’t be fooled by the small margin Merlin scaped home by in Friday night’s $135,000 Woodlands Derby.

Because driver Zachary Butcher is adamant the quality colt could have won the classic by a lot more had he wanted.

“That is just him, he doesn’t like running away from horses and just switches off,” said Butcher after his first win in the great race.

24 July 2026
HRA Merit Awards Announcement: Harness Racing Australia has recognised five outstanding contributors to its industry through its prestigious Merit Awards. The Merit Awards recognise decades of dedication, leadership and service including administration, training and media, celebrating those who have helped shape and strengthen Australian...

23 July 2026
GOODFORM - Craig's selections for Swan Hill Friday: Race 1: OVERVIEW: SERG BLANCO NZ (5) was resuming since December when he led, rolled along at a genuine tempo and held off the challengers to win comfortably at Mildura last week. He will be fitter from that performance and is a strong winning chance again. CLYMENUS NZ (3) looms as the logical danger....

23 July 2026
Smith's tough mare chasing back-to-back wins: After a tough last-start win at Launceston’s Ladbrokes Racing Centre Mowbray, seven-year-old Shadow Play mare Ifyoulovemeletmego returns to the same venue on Friday night in search of back-to-back wins. The mare won at the 10 July meeting, where she was caught three-wide early, pressed on to find...

23 July 2026
Yabby Dam Farms announces new, rich 2YO Vic Trotters Classic: Yabby Dam Farms has super-powered its support for Victorian harness racing, establishing two $75,000 Yabby Dam Farms 2YO Trotters Classic finals. The trotting stud has partnered with Harness Racing Victoria to create the series, which will be first staged in 2030 for horses bred to its stallions in the...

23 July 2026
Gloucester Park Preview Friday 24th July 2026: Manuka Bay aiming for four in a row Leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond have several richly talented three-year-old fillies in their Forrestdale stable and two of them, Manuka Bay and Cinch, will clash in the ARG Rotary Club of Fremantle Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park Friday night. Deni Roberts,...

Click for more