Alexandra Park

01/09/2026

"Auckland harness racing can once again become a growth story."

Great momentum from last week's Auckland Trotting Summit — owners, trainers, breeders, sponsors and industry leaders coming together with one goal: growing the future of harness racing in Auckland and the Upper North Island.

More than 20 leading stakeholders from across the Australasian harness racing industry came together at the recent Auckland Harness Summit 2026, sending a

29/07/2026

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Colleen Edmonds, a much-loved member of the Alexandra Park family.

Colleen dedicated 20 years to the Auckland Trotting Club as a parking cashier, and her passion for harness racing kept her closely connected to Alexandra Park long after her work here came to an end. She remained an integral part of our community, and her visits were always eagerly anticipated by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Colleen always announced her arrival with her signature greeting, “I’m here,” and, true to form, we would often hear her before we saw her as she stepped into the administration building. Her lovable character, warmth and generous nature made her a breath of fresh air, and she brought joy and familiarity wherever she went.

She will be deeply missed by her many friends at Alexandra Park, including Brian Quinn, John Farrier, Nott Tonil, Rusty Peart, Gayleen MacKinnon and, of course, Gayleen’s Jack Russell, Lochie, whom Colleen would come in and walk on Mondays. She would often say those walks “got her out of the house”, but in truth, her presence brightened our place just as much as the visits brightened her day.

We are especially grateful to have shared lunch with Colleen only a couple of weeks ago, sitting together in the sun at Alexandra Park. It is a memory we will treasure.

She never missed organising our office sweepstake for the Melbourne Cup — another reminder of the enthusiasm, fun and care she brought to the people around her.

Colleen was loved by us all. She will be remembered with great affection and missed very much.

14/05/2026

Reharvest Rowe Cup 2026 🏆

After two placings in the majors over the last 12 months, MR LOVE - aided by an inch-perfect drive by co-trainer Ben Hope - was a dominant winner of this year’s Reharvest Rowe Cup.

Bred, owned, trained and driven by the Hope family, it provided another special moment for a family that has become such a force to be reckoned with in feature trotting races over many years, with the likes of Muscle Mountain and Monbet - and now you can add Mr Love to that list!

The Love You gelding has now returned home to Christchurch for a brief spell before gearing up for a shot at the big double - the Dominion on his home turf.

Second home was the now-retired Oscar Bonavena. The millionaire trotter all but created the fairytale ending - but as he heads to the breeding barn full time, it was a timely reminder of what a great horse he has been.

Third home, after leading for the majority, was the young gun Hillbilly Blues. After a successful first campaign in the big league, capping it off with a placing in a Rowe Cup shows there’s plenty to get excited about in the future for his connections.

14/05/2026

Another thrilling edition of the Group One Magness Benrow Sires Stakes 3YO Fillies Final, but it was SECRET WISH who came out on top✨🏆

Prepared by Hayden & Amanda Cullen, SECRET WISH was given a masterful drive by Blair Orange, who made full use of barrier one to secure the trail throughout before exploding up the passing lane, holding off a late charging Indulge Me (Nathan Williamson) to seal a deserved Group One victory.

The win completed a Group One double on the night for Blair Orange during the final evening of our Northern Lights Carnival, continuing his incredible Autumn run in the sulky.

Congratulations to owners & breeders: Studholme Bloodstock Limited

13/05/2026

Breckon Farms Northern Trotting Derby Gr.1

You won’t see many Derby victories more dominant than that!

🏆KYVALLEY RAY produced a faultless front-running performance for Blair Orange, dictating throughout and never giving his rivals a look in.

With several key challengers making costly errors, the classy trotter made them pay in emphatic fashion - cruising away to score by a staggering 11 lengths and complete a feature race hat-trick in style for trainer Brent Lilley.

🎉Congratulations to his owners on a standout preparation: J W Connelly, S Maxwell

13/05/2026

✨ What a way to bring the Northern Lights Carnival to a close last Friday night — five Group One races, outstanding performances, fairytale moments, and new names etched into the history books.

➡️ The opening Group One feature of the night was the IRT Young Guns Eastern Light Classic 2YO Trot Final.

🏆 APOLLO ELEVEN produced another faultless display from barrier one, leading from mobile to post in the hands of Peter Ferguson, capping off a near-perfect preparation for the talented son of Bold Eagle.

The victory was made even more special as it delivered the first Group One success for the training partnership of Dylan Ferguson & Jo Ferguson - and Jo’s first Gr.1 of her career.

🎉 Congratulations to the huge ownership group who packed out the winners circle and shared in an unforgettable night:
Mrs Jo Ferguson, Breckon Racing Syndicate, 5 Wise Men Syndicate, Kevin Robinson, Mrs Brenda Armstrong, John Kriechbaumer, Richard Cole, Off N Racing Teddy Turbo Syndicate, Ferguson Racing Super Six Syndicate, Steve Taylor, Craig McKay, Robbie Patterson, Alex Forbes, Bill Stevens, Craig Grylls & Mark Baz Ryan.

07/05/2026

REHARVEST ROWE CUP 2026

One of the great staying tests on the harness racing calendar returns tonight at Alexandra Park, with the historic Group One Reharvest Rowe Cup once again bringing together the elite of New Zealand trotting.

Steeped in history and prestige, the Rowe Cup has long stood as one of the most coveted titles in trotting, and tonight’s edition shapes as another unforgettable chapter in the race’s rich legacy.

A quality field of 10 trotters has assembled, headed by the talented Greg & Ben Hope-trained Mr Love, who has opened favourite for the feature. Ben Hope takes the reins as he looks to capture the famous trophy for the first time, while the stable also lines up the ultra-consistent Midnight Dash, to be driven by the country’s leading reinsman, Blair Orange.

Fresh off his outstanding Gr.1 Anzac Cup victory, Higher Power (Harrison Orange) will look to continue his rise through the trotting ranks and maintain his incredible run of form as he takes another step into the open class spotlight.

Amongst the star-studded line-up are Group One and Golden Gait winners Hillbilly Blues (Tony Herlihy) and Ya Rite Darl (John Dunn), while former North Island leading juvenile Meant To Be (Zachary Butcher) also looks to further etch his name into the history books.

Adding even more emotion to the occasion is the farewell appearance of champion trotter Oscar Bonavena. The millionaire and crowd favourite will step onto the track for the final time with trainer-driver Mark Purdon hoping to deliver the ultimate fairytale ending to a decorated career.

History, class, staying power and emotion - the Rowe Cup has it all.

Be on course to witness all the group one racing action tonight!
https://www.alexandrapark.co.nz/race-night/friday-8-may-rowe-cup-at-top-of-the-park-08-05-2026/

First race: 4.53pm
Rowe Cup: Race 8, 8.22pm

See you there!

07/05/2026

Last week’s Roy Purdon Memorial Pace winner GOT THE CHOCOLATES has stamped himself as one of the leading chances for Friday night’s Group 1 Dawson Harford NZ Messenger.

The classy son of Art Major announced his arrival on the open class scene with an outstanding victory last week, when driver John Dunn found a gap from three the fence, he powered home to defeat a quality field and continue his terrific run of form for trainers Robert & Jenna Dunn,

Now, all eyes turn to Friday night’s feature pace, where Got The Chocolates has opened the market as the short priced favourite for one of Auckland's most prestigious pacing titles!

Be on course to witness all the group one racing action!
https://www.alexandrapark.co.nz/race-night/friday-8-may-rowe-cup-at-top-of-the-park-08-05-2026/

Diamond Racing Stables

07/05/2026

IRT NZ Sires Stakes 3yo Trotters Championship 2026

🏆KYVALLEY RAY

Group One victories don’t come much more comfortably than that, with the talented son of Bold Eagle expertly driven by Blair Orange, leading throughout to secure back-to-back feature race wins at Alexandra Park for Australian trainer Brent Lilley.

The win further enhanced an already outstanding resume, having claimed both the Harness Million and Sires Stakes as a 2yo before returning to capture both features again as a 3yo.

This week, he starts the short favourite to make it a hat-trick in the Breckon Farms Northern Trotting Derby.

Be on course to witness all the action! You can check out our hospitality options here: https://www.alexandrapark.co.nz/race-night/friday-8-may-rowe-cup-at-top-of-the-park-08-05-2026/

06/05/2026

Pascoes The Jewellers Northern Oaks 2026

🏆CATH

Making full use of barrier one, SETH HILL rated the Sweet Lou filly perfectly in front to secure his first Group 1 driving victory, for trainer (and father) Brendon Hill, in a moment the family will never forget.

CATH now adds her name to the honour roll of outstanding fillies to have captured this iconic race.

The pair line up again this Friday Night - contesting the Magness Benrow Sires Stakes 3yo Fillies Gr.1 final, race 7 at 7.52pm, on a massive night of racing at Alexandra Park.

Don't miss all the action! Check out our hospitality options here ⬇️
https://www.alexandrapark.co.nz/race-night/friday-8-may-rowe-cup-at-top-of-the-park-08-05-2026/