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.

12 May 2026
The Janitor knocking loudly on Grand Circuit door: The Janitor produced nine wins, four placings and more than $200,000 from 15 starts in an impressive season in 2025. But, it could have been even bigger. The talented gelding was no further than a neck from the winner in the Blacks A Fake, Sunshine Sprint and The Rising Sun. An eighth placing in the...

12 May 2026
Hollywood heading to Wagga: THE big brute of Australia’s three-year-old ranks Hollywood Strip is ready for a racetrack return. Trainer-driver Brad Hewitt confirmed the NSW Derby winner would resume in a heat of the Nutrien 3YO series at Wagga on Friday week. The $100,000 final is at Wagga on May 30. “We managed to get...

12 May 2026
Wharton: Pastor Dunbar delivers McCluskey his Group 1 dream: It’s the goal of every breeder and owner to have that first Group 1 winner, and for Lancaster horseman Kevin McCluskey it has taken 50 years of investment in the sport to reach those heights. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL COLUMN

12 May 2026
Swayzee's New Zealand campaign concludes: New South Wales champion pacer Swayzee’s New Zealand campaign concluded last Friday night in Auckland with a brave third behind up and coming kiwi superstar Got The Chocolates in the Group 1 Messenger Stakes. It seems that as he gets older, Swayzee is showing increased gate speed and was chased...

12 May 2026
Hillier happy as Triedtotellya tunes up for the Inter Dominion: Triedtotellya has had his last start before the upcoming Inter Dominion series in Brisbane. His most recent effort was in Launceston on Sunday night, where he claimed the $20,000 Ladbrokes Launceston Mile (1680m) when sent out as the $1.24 favourite. From a second-row draw, trainer-driver Rohan Hillier...

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