New Zealand Messenger Championship
| Class | Group I |
|---|---|
| Location | Alexandra Park Auckland, New Zealand |
| Inaugurated | 1967 |
| Race type | Standardbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2700m |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Right-handed oval |
| Qualification | Open class pacers, from 2022 onwards (Historically for four-year-old pacers only) |
| Purse | NZ $100,000 (2025) |
The New Zealand Messenger Championship is a Group One event for standardbred pacing horses in New Zealand, run at Alexandra Park.
History
[edit]The New Zealand Messenger Championship had traditionally been restricted to 4 year-old horses and was the most prestigious race for that age group in New Zealand, and a key guide to feature races in the following season like the New Zealand Trotting Cup and Auckland Cup. This is evidenced by many New Zealand Messenger Championship winners or placegetters subsequently becoming Cup victors, such as:
- Auckland Reactor
- Changeover
- Chokin
- Christopher Vance
- Elsu
- Just An Excuse
- Lazarus
- Mainland Banner
- Monkey King
- Royden Glen
- Stanley Rio
- Yulestar
For the 2013, 2014 and 2015 years five year olds were also eligible to compete in the race. Then from 2016 it reverted to four year olds only. However, in 2022 the New Zealand Messenger and its traditional lead up race, the Noel J Taylor Mile, were both opened up to older horses.
The New Zealand Messenger was previously raced on the same race-night as the Rowe Cup and Northern Trotting Derby for trotters and the New Zealand Sires Stakes Championship. In recent years the race has been held in late April or early May.
Race results
[edit]Previous winners and placegetters are as follows.[1] There was no race in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
| Year |
Month |
Horse |
Owner(s) |
Driver |
Time |
2nd |
3rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr | Republican Party[2] | Mrs C M Dalgety, G E Dickey, Mrs J E Rooney, G A Ayers, First Term Syndicate, D A Schollum, K J Cummings, B A Smith, G P Merlo, A & M Syndicate | Carter Dalgety[3] | 3:18.8 | Mo'unga | Don't Stop Dreaming |
| 2024 | May | Mach Shard[4] | Mrs K J Purdon, Mrs C Nausbaum, Mrs T L Whittaker | Crystal Hackett (J)[5] | 3:17.71 | Self Assured | Better Eclipse |
| 2023 | Apr | Self Assured | Mrs J L Feiss | Natalie Rasmussen[6] | 3:18.8 | Copy That | Better Eclipse |
| 2022 | Apr | Majestic Cruiser | D S Glynn & Mrs H R Glynn | Cameron Hart | 3:13.1 | Self Assured | A G's White Socks |
| 2021 | Apr | Copy That | M W & M T Butterworth | Maurice McKendry | 3:18.81 | Bad To The Bone | Amazing Dream |
| 2019 | May | Spankem[7] | Mrs GJ Kennard, PI Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, JA Gibbs MNZM, Mrs A Gibbs, GA Woodham, Mrs KJ Woodham | Natalie Rasmussen | 3:17.6 | Turn It Up | Mach Shard |
| 2018 | Apr | Eamon Maguire | BD Sceats, GJ Anderson, R Chalklin, SR Pulley, AD Gow, Mrs PP Gillan | Natalie Rasmussen | 3:15.7 | Star Galleria | A G's White Socks |
| 2017 | Apr | Lazarus | Mrs GJ Kennard, PI Kennard, TG Casey, KJ Riseley | Mark Purdon | 3:25.2 | Waikiki Beach | Golden Goddess |
| 2016 | Apr | Field Marshal | Mrs S A Brown, S B Brown | Dexter Dunn | 3:15.8 | My Kiwi Mate | Hug The Wind |
| 2015 | Apr | Sky Major | Mrs K J Purdon, T G Casey, Clear View Racing No 4 Syndicate, J Lohman, T F Henderson, The Anzac Racing Syndicate | Zac Butcher | 3:15.6 | Tiger Tara | Ohoka Punter |
| 2014 | May | Elios | Bennett Bloodstock Ltd, C Eynon, M R McKinnon, G Rutledge, B Destounis | John Dunn | 3:17.4 | Franco Nelson | Norvic Nightowl |
| 2013 | May | Christen Me | C J Roberts, V L Purdon | Dexter Dunn | 3:17.7 | Jason Rulz | Lets Elope |
| 2012 | May | Mustang Mach | K Farah, A Kheir, G Braude, M Gordon | Dexter Dunn | 3:18.0 | Gold Ace | State Of Affairs |
| 2011 | May | Franco Emirate | R E Nieper | Jim Curtin | 3:18.0 | Mach Banner | Gomeo Romeo |
| 2010 | May | Tintin In America | ATC Trot 2008 Syndicate | David Butcher | 3:15.8 | Bonavista Bay | Harley Earl |
| 2009 | May | Auckland Reactor | Auckland Reactor Ltd | Mark Purdon | 3:18.8 | Ohoka Dallas | All Tiger |
| 2008 | May | Gotta Go Cullen | Ian Dobson[8][9] | Tony Herlihy | 3:22.9 | Changeover | Victory Spirit |
| 2007 | May | Monkey King | Cavalla Bloodstock Limited | Steven Reid | 3:23.9 | Divisive | All Promises |
| 2006 | May | Mainland Banner | Ian Dobson, S J Dobson, Lynne Umar | Ricky May | 3:23.5 | Mr Williams | Baileys Dream |
| 2005 | April | Mi Muchacho | R C Anderson, Ms P C Larsen | Peter Ferguson | 3:23.5 | Likmesiah | Winforu |
| 2004 | April | Elsu | Mrs J Walters/Double Up Synd/Est D Hudson/Mrs P Small | David Butcher | 3:22.2 | London Legend | Napoleon |
| 2003 | May | Just An Excuse | O Haines, Mrs I K Haines | Todd Mitchell | 3:22.0 | Sly Flyin | All Hart |
| 2002 | April | Young Rufus | H Manolitsis, V, T & W Lynch, G J Carey, K R Hyslop | Mark Purdon | 3:21.4 | Eagles Together | Parisian Falcon |
| 2001 | March | Tupelo Rose | G L Banks, M J Hanover, J D Curtin | Peter Jones | 3:23.6 | Gracious Knight | Falcon Rise |
| 2000 | March | Pic Me Pockets | H R Bosher | Tony Herlihy | 3:19.8 | Classic Turbo | Mac De Stroyer |
| 1999 | April | Homin Hosed | Mrs M A Macey, B L Macey | Todd Mitchell | 3:23.1 | Holmes D G | Yulestar |
| 1998 | May | OK Royal | Jack Smolenski, M J Ward | Jack Smolenski | 3:20.6 | Kliklite | Liminka Lad |
| 1997 | April | Agua Caliente[10] | D S Short, Mrs D E J Short, Mrs D E Woods, Miss S M Short | Glen Wolfenden | 3:24.7 | Adio Routine | Captain Rufus |
| 1996 | April | Decision Time | J M Ward | James Stormont | 3:22.3 | Grinaldi | Ultra Soky |
| 1995 | April | Rain Again | B C Madsen | Neil Brady | 3:23.0 | Just Royce | Ginger Man |
| 1994 | April | Montana Vance | J B Hart, Mrs K J Purdon, J B Ede, D H Sixton | Tony Herlihy | 3:23.0 | Camberley Octane | Nippon Home |
| 1993 | March | Chokin | Pacers Australia Synd, M Joyce, J Loughnan, B De Boer | Tony Herlihy | 3:23.3 | Butler's First | San Sabriel |
| 1992 | April | Abdias | J Butcher, Mrs C M Butcher | Philip Butcher | 3:27.0 | Tartan Clansman | Smooth Gretna |
| 1991 | April | Christopher Vance | R R Reid, Lorna Reid Syndicate, Mrs J C Reid | Tony Herlihy | 3:19.5 | Franco Ice | Mark Hanover |
| 1990 | March | Alert Fulla | J Friedhof | Maurice McKendry | 3:25.8 | Inky Lord | Defoe |
| 1989 | March | Dillon Dean | D P Dwyer, Mrs H M C Burley | Colin De Filippi | 3:22.7 | Surmo Way | Reba Lord |
| 1988 | February | Rostriever Hanover | I A Munro, Mrs A H Munro | Patrick O'Reilly | 3:23.5 | Speedy Cheval | Elmer Gantry |
| 1986 | December | Trident | The Horseplayers Syndicate | John Hay | 3:25.8 | Captain Cavalla | Free's Best |
| 1985 | December | Placid Victor | Mrs L G Wilson | Maurice McKendry | 3:23.2 | Luxury Liner | Quiet Touch |
| 1984 | December | Roydon Glen | R A McKenzie | Fred Fletcher | 3:25.4 | Comedy Lad | King Alba |
| 1983 | December | Nostradamus | W J Francis & P I Renwick | Peter N Jones | 3:32.4 | Mighty Me | Borana |
| 1982 | December | Hilarious Guest | M G Vermeulen | Peter Wolfenden | 3:26.2 | Sharvid Skipper | Enterprise |
| 1981 | December | Melton Monarch | Jim Dalgety | Barry Purdon | 3:26.5 | Te Puke Expects | El Regale |
| 1980 | December | John Tudor | H T & A P Dodds & B C Newton | Thomas H Knowles | 3:29.3 | Wickliffe | Frosty Lopez |
| 1979 | December | Tempest Tiger | P K Ryder | Jack Smolenski | 3:27.9 | Genesis | Kane |
| 1978 | December | Locarno | B J & E J Francis | Robin D Butt | 3:34.6 | Gerry Junior | Watbro |
| 1978 | March | Sapling | G C Cruickshank & R Given | Henry Skinner | 3:26.4 | Scottish Heath | Lancia |
| 1977 | March | Stanley Rio | W J Francis & G B & J B Noble | John B Noble | 3:28.4 | Trusty Scot | Anne's Day |
| 1976 | March | Forto Prontezza | Mrs E & A R J McNaught | Henry Skinner | 3:29.2 | Sole Command | Final Curtain |
| 1975 | March | Josias | J & Mrs C M Butcher | Robert F Mitchell | 3:29.6 | Captain Harcourt | David Garrison |
| 1974 | March | Speedy Guest | W F Woolley | Jack Smolenski | 3:28.8 | Scottish Foil | Hill Crest |
| 1973 | March | Tonton Macoute | N M Allcock & W E Ross | A K Holmes | 3:10 | Ava Hanover | Double Cash |
| 1972 | March | Scottish Warrior | R A McKenzie | Charlie Hunter | 3:10.2 | Morpheus | Rossi Gennari |
| 1970 | December | Sam Tryax | Mrs & R C Whitford | Barry J Anderson | 3:11.6 | False Dream | Celtic Lord |
| 1969 | December | Western Ridge | T E Renshaw | Reg J Weatherley | 3:14.2 | Courtnal | Via Veneto |
| 1968 | December | Bewitched | G B Noble | John B Noble | 2:55.8 | Light Forbes | Henry Allan |
| 1967 | December | Governor Frost | C Hadley | Peter Wolfenden | 2:55.4 | Cingalese | Cheeky |
Other major races
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "HRNZ website - New Zealand Messenger (Group 1)". www.hrnz.co.nz. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ "Republican Party and Marketplace shine in huge Group 1 night at Alexandra Park". www.hrnz.co.nz.
- ^ Stewart, Bruce (25 April 2025). "Tactically smart drive wins Messenger - Harnesslink".
- ^ Stewart, Bruce (3 May 2024). "Mach Shard does the double - Harnesslink".
- ^ "Two Group 1s for Crystal Hackett and "Shardy"". www.hrnz.co.nz.
- ^ "Rasmussen tops $13 million in stakes with G1 NZ Messenger win - Harnesslink". 28 April 2023.
- ^ Turner, Jonny (28 September 2019). "Spankem NZ Harness Horse Of The Year". Otago Daily Times.
- ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ "Vale Ian Dobson - Harnesslink". 16 October 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ "Vale Agua Caliente". www.hrnz.co.nz. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
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