Exciting international features this weekend

Harness racing fans worldwide are spoiled for choice this weekend, with feature racing in North America and the United Kingdom set to launch this season’s stars.

From a Wai Eyre Farm perspective we eagerly anticipate Hambletonian Day, to be held at The Meadowlands, New Jersey, on Sunday morning New Zealand time.

Our partners at Yabby Dam Farms will be represented in the $1million Hambletonian by Big Ranger, a hot favourite after his elimination win last weekend. A winner of five of his seven starts this year, Big Ranger won his heat in 1.50 flat – the fastest Hambletonian elimination race in history.

Big Ranger by exciting new sire, In Range, who is available via frozen semen this season through Yabby Dam Farms and Wai Eyre Farm in New Zealand.

He will stand for $8,000 plus GST in New Zealand and Australia.

In Range has shot onto the scene at stud with impressive results, and is expected to be in high demand this breeding season, he’s also represented in the Hambletonian Oaks for fillies by Setyoursighthigh, a winner of three of her six starts this year and will be driven by Dexter Dunn for the Melander stable.

Walner is also represented in the Hambletonian with runners Apex and American Power. He too is available via Yabby Dam Farms this year.

Ecurie D, available via Yabby Dam Farms also, sires two-year-olds Lifetime Dream and Dandelion Wine in their respective New Jersey Sires Stakes Final on the undercard on Sunday.

Lazarus will also feature at The Meadowlands this weekend.

On Saturday morning New Zealand time he will be represented by two two-year-olds in the New Jersey Sires Stakes Platinum division finals.

Jerzy George was an emphatic winner of his heat last weekend, launching a last to first sprint in the home straight to collect his second win in the series. He’s drawn five in the $180,000 final.

While filly Sterl The Pearl has drawn well in her $225,000 final with barrier two. She’s been a superb performer throughout the series, recording a win and two placings in her three starts.

Trainer Joe Bongiorno describes her as ‘small but mighty’ and is expecting another honest run from the daughter of Lazarus this weekend.

Betting On Ceasar (Lazarus) will compete in the final race on Hambletonian Day, a huge 16 race card for the historic race meeting.

In the United Kingdom Lazarus has a potentially huge and historic weekend ahead.

He’ll be represented in the Vincent Delaney Memorial series with two of his two-year-olds, both of whom are rated highly.

The Vincent Delaney Memorial has become an international event with visitors from all over the world flocking to Tir Prince Racetrack in North Wales.

Heats will be held on Saturday New Zealand time, with the finals held on Sunday.

In the two-year-old fillies division Lazarus will be represented by Queenstown.

She’s been unbeaten in her two career starts to date, collecting a Group One and Group Two win.

Owned by the Gilvear family, her dam Zane Hanover is by Somebeachsomewhere and was purchased in foal to Lazarus in the United States before being shipped to Scotland.

While Martinez The Knife is another import by Lazarus and will line up in the colts and geldings two-year-old heat.

He recently finished a strong second in Ireland has been progressing in each of his starts, he’s rated a very strong chance of making the final with his recent performances.

Harness racing in the United Kingdom, whilst still predominantly amateur status, has become extremely competitive with a number of stables importing horses by American sires to race there.

US Captain’s recent two-year-old winner, Hawaiian Warfare, will also be one to watch as he attempts to go back to back at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Saturday.

After defeated older opposition with ease last start, he’s drawn barrier one in a two-year-old race as he prepares for Stakes racing in Delaware in September.

All four of US Captains two-year-olds in the United States have either trialled or raced, with his filly US Reveille also entered on Saturday after pleasing her trainer Erin Neilson with a fast finishing quarter in her debut run last time out.

She too is being aimed at Stakes racing later in the year.

For harness racing fans wanting to watch the action from Hambletonian Day on Sunday, Trackside intends to take the full card on Trackside 2 from 4am NZT.

Trackside will prioritise Meadowlands where possible in the event of any clashes with other meetings throughout the 15-race card, subject to any major delays from the Meadowlands which occur from time to time.