Adam Hamilton

Melbourne

Group Head of Talent & Racing with the awesome @ladbrokescomau @TracksideNZ @SENZ_Radio & @EntainGroup teams. Harness writer @RacenetTweets Views my own.

Articles

Minstrel rockets into $1.25m Nullabor favouritism

1 day ago | harnesslink.com | Adam Hamilton

Successful Kiwi harness racing horseman David Butt is grateful for the day five years ago when Minstrel (Rocknroll Hanover) failed a vet test. Leading Western Australian trainers Greg and Skye Bond had landed on a deal to buy the then emerging three-year-old and the last box to tick was a vet check. “He’d just run third in the Flying Stakes, the last lead-up for the NZ Derby, and the offer was a good one,” Butt recalled.
Steno back where it all started

1 day ago | harnesslink.com | Adam Hamilton

BRILLIANT harness racing mare Steno (Sweet Lou) is back where it all started. It was way back on August 31, 2021 when the regally bred daughter of Sweet Lou won her first start at Menangle. And it is two-and-a-half years since she last raced at Sydney’s harness racing HQ when she ran third in the 3YO Breeders Challenge final.
Swayzee's biggest challenge yet

1 day ago | harnesslink.com | Adam Hamilton

CHAMPION stayer Swayzee (Rock N Roll Heaven) will have to do something he has never done before to win Friday night’s $1.25mil Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park. For all his greatness, Swayzee has been able to bludgeon his way to the front for the five biggest wins of his stellar harness racing career. From barrier 10, as the lone back row runner and with local star Minstrel drawn so well, Swayzee won’t be able to find the lead this time.
Swayzee takes on Minstrel

2 days ago | racenet.com.au | Adam Hamilton

Champion stayer Swayzee will have to do something he has never done before to win Friday night's $1.25 million Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park. For all his greatness, Swayzee has been able to bludgeon his way to the front for the five biggest wins of his stellar career. From barrier 10, as the lone back row runner and with local star Minstrel drawn so well, Swayzee won't be able to find the lead this time. The three times Swayzee hasn't found the lead in a "major", he has been beaten.
Unbeaten Aussie filly all set for NZ debut

2 days ago | harnesslink.com | Adam Hamilton

Successful Aussie owner Mick Harvey feels like he’s had a win even before his exciting harness racing filly Ripples (Bettor’s Delight) steps out at Alexandra Park on Friday night. Harvey, best known for part-owning superstars like King Of Swing and Hectorjayjay, is thrilled he convinced champion Victorian trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin to have their first Kiwi runner. “It’s amazing to think they haven’t had one yet, but I understand why with the huge team they have,” he said.
Gath buzzing ahead of Catch A Wave's Perth return

1 week ago | harnesslink.com | Adam Hamilton

ANDY Gath is all smiles in Perth. And that’s a big contrast to when he first arrived in Perth this time last year. Although Catch A Wave’s (Captaintreacherous) 2024 Perth harness racing raid ended in glory, it started with concerns. “It’s a lot different this year,” Gath said. “I think we’ve got a better horse than we had 12 months ago, he’s certainly had a better preparation. “And he has handled the trip much, much better.
Hectorjayjay's driver Josh Aitken now in youth development

1 week ago | racenet.com.au | Adam Hamilton

Former young gun driver Josh Aiken has gone from nurturing horses to helping young people change their lives. But harness racing will always be part of life for the son of champion horseman David Aiken. Through his early and mid-20s, Aiken was one of Victoria's top young drivers, notching more than 500 wins, including a remarkable 10 at Group 1 level.
Trotting star about to launch a comeback

1 week ago | harnesslink.com | Adam Hamilton

The forgotten star of Australian trotting is about to launch a comeback. Boom European import and 2024 Great Southern Star winner Callmethebreeze (Trixton) is over his long battle with hoof issues and on target for a Brisbane Inter Dominion campaign. Trainer Andy Gath said: “He’s close.
Aussie champ returning for New Zealand Cup

1 week ago | harnesslink.com | Adam Hamilton

It’s official … Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight) will return to NZ. Owner Kevin Seymour said the $1m IRT New Zealand was a “major target” after he and wife, Kay, declined some “humbling” offers to retire the champion pacer to stud after July’s Brisbane Inter Dominion. “He’s racing on, you can write that now,” Seymour said. “The interest from studs has been there a while, but it went to another level after he ticked that extra box and won a big race in NZ, especially the way he did it.
Leap To Fame owner Kevin Seymour knocks back huge offers to retire him to stud

1 week ago | racenet.com.au | Adam Hamilton

Owner Kevin Seymour has knocked back a string of huge offers to retire Leap To Fame to stud and the champion pacer will race on for at least another year. Stud interest in the six-year-old is nothing new, but Seymour said the offers had "gone to another level" since Leap To Fame stretched his greatness to New Zealand with a career-best performance to win last Friday week's Race by betcha at Cambridge.