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Franklin Trotting Club Friday Night
Don’t be surprised to see Deb’s Pal snapped up as a $9000 claimer at Alexandra Park on Friday night. Because not many claimers can boast a sub 3:19 win for 2700m mobile at their previous start. The seven-year-old stunned clock watchers when he paced a 1:58.4 mile rate winning at The Park last start, in…
Derek Balle Adds Some New Weaponry to The Arsenal
It is not every day a trainer gets four new horses stroll through the gate. It’s even rarer when they are all trotters, especially one a genuine open class force. But that was the bonus Derek Balle has had to start the new season and judging by his first start with one of his newcomers,…
Former South Islanders to Line Up for Derek Balle
Watch for a couple of first-up South Island starters from the Derek Balle stable at Alexandra Park on Friday night. The Pukekohe horseman has four horses nominated for the meeting and here’s how he rated the quartet: PHILADELPHIA H (Race 2 – Zac Butcher): “She’s a well-bred filly out of Martina H. She will make…
Hopes Are High for Cool Cobber
A start in the Group I Dominion Handicap and a trip to Australia are on the cards for Cool Cobber next season, Pukekohe trainer Derek Balle says. Cool Cobber is owned in Southland by Kenny Baynes and Jo Calder, of Chatton. The 6-year-old trotter is turned out for a month after winning two of eight…
Monkey Bones is Making His Mark
Monkey Bones – is making his mark on New Zealand harness racing. In the last few months there have been more grey trotting winners than ever before and that comes down to one thing – The influence of trotting stallion Monkey Bones. The grey son of champion stallion Andover Hall, who was good enough to…