There is plenty of excitement surrounding SENZ’s slot in Harness Racing’s New Zealand newest innovation - The Race.
Self Assured, trained by Mark Pardon and Hayden Cullen, is holding the hopes of the SENZ team for the inaugural running of The Race which takes place at Cambridge Raceway on April 14.
SENZ has pledged to allow listeners to share in the opportunity and has been giving away 0.5% shares in Self Assured with the potential to win up to $2,000.
So far there are five lucky listeners who have won a share.
Meet the winners below:
David Gash
Taupo
What is your favourite thing about SENZ?
I like the broad cross section of sports and horse racing that is covered by the hosts and guests that have been there and done that. All the crew do a great job and tell it like it is, with a lot of laughs and banter.
How long have you been into harness racing?
I have followed harness racing to a degree as far back to when Brendon Hill (Benny Hill) was driving before becoming a trainer. Brendon’s family are old friends of my Family.
What would you do with your share of the winnings if our horse salutes in The Race?
Not 100% sure as yet but would look at reinvesting it back into the industry in some way or form.
Where will you be watching The Race?
Well, it just so happens that the 14th of April is my birthday and I have that week off, so will be off up to Cambridge to have a bit of a watch and am looking forward to it.
Carolyn Pannett
Invercargill
What is your favourite thing about SENZ?
I love SENZ for the humour mostly, the laughs and the banter between the pairs of announcers. You have great interviews (I especially enjoy hearing from racing personalities), betting tips and regular news bulletins. You shine the light on our brilliant female sportswomen, which is refreshing.
How long have you been into harness racing?
I have always been connected to harness racing through my father being an amateur trainer in North Otago. We used to ride the racehorses for farm tasks, after they were worked. Up until recently, I bred and raced a few horses from my Dad's breed, out of the wonderful Gray stables at Ryal Bush.
What would you do with your share of the winnings if our horse salutes in The Race?
Mmm, what to do with winnings... put it in the bank and dream about what I could do with it!
Where will you be watching The Race?
I’ll probably watch the race at home with a bunch of my racing buddies there to cheer SELF ASSURED home!
Anton McManus
Whangarei/Auckland
What is your favourite thing about SENZ?
Geez, my favorite thing about SENZ is probably all the prizes to be honest. I took a $100 TAB bonus bet off Smithy and then this, soo good! There's plenty to love about SENZ though, all the great interviews you guys get, not to mention all the great hosts. Also enjoy getting the good oil.
How long have you been into harness racing?
I only really got into harness racing leading into the NZ Cup last year, because of the hype from the gang at SENZ, I've been big on the thoroughbreds for quite some time though.
What would you do with your share of the winnings if our horse salutes in The Race?
If Self Assured gets up in the race, I'll probably double down and put a grand each-way on it for its next race.
Where will you be watching The Race?
Not too sure where I'll be watching the race yet, depends where it's being run, I'd love to try get along to the meet, but otherwise I'll probably swing by the Dark Horse, local pub on the shore here.
Jonty Kay
Manawatu
What is your favourite thing about SENZ?
I've got many favourite things about SENZ, getting to listen to the my sporting heroes growing up such as Beaver, Baz and Izzy. Having sport as the topic all day and getting all the oil for the weekend's multis!
How long have you been into harness racing?
My introduction to harness racing would be from heading along to many race days at Addington and watching Dexter Dunn carve up.
What would you do with your share of the winnings if our horse salutes in The Race?
The winnings for me will probably go towards some flights overseas for a much awaited holiday abroad.
Where will you be watching The Race?
More the likely I'll be watching it on my TAB app and take a few minutes in either a paddock or in the tractor to watch Self Assured get the W!
Scott Rushbrooke
Papamoa, Bay of Plenty
What is your favourite thing about SENZ?
I just love everything about sport and to have it on the radio is awesome & I’m loving that horse racing is on SENZ, now I’m learning a lot.
How long have you been into harness racing?
Not that long, maybe a year, but have always been into horses and race days.
What would you do with your share of the winnings if our horse salutes in The Race?
I'm building a new house, so I'd probably buy a couch or a new fridge. (Maybe shout the boys a few if we win).
Where will you be watching The Race?
If we are allowed, I’ll go to Cambridge and watch it live.
Brett Johnson
Huntly, Waikato
What is your favourite thing about SENZ?
My favourite thing about SENZ is listening to people who have been in the white-hot cauldron of international sport, share their thoughts and experiences. Being an early riser, (very early), I enjoy the banter of the breakfast team and just how engaging they are towards us as an audience. And who doesn’t love a tip?
How long have you been into harness racing?
I was born in to harness racing! As kids, Dad would take my older brother and I to the night trots in either Cambridge or the now defunct Claudelands raceway in Hamilton. My grandfather, Jack Johnson was an owner and breeder of horses, with his career highlight, winning the 1978 North Island Breeders Stakes with his mare, Scottish Lusture.
What would you do with your share of the winnings if our horse salutes in The Race?
If Self Assured was to salute at The Race, I would love to treat my wife and 2 young daughters. As I am an active participant in long distance triathlon, they have put up with getting dragged around to races, me being absent on weekends because I’m out on long training rides and I would love to show them the gratitude that I have for them and their patience. Ironman is not the cheapest sport to compete in, the gear is expensive, entry fees and accommodation are expensive, but I enjoy trying to portray a positive image to my daughters, that if they want something badly enough, you have to work hard for it and with that comes rewards.
Where will you be watching The Race?
With restrictions being eased around the country in the last couple of days, I have every intention of doing what I can to be on course at Cambridge to cheer Self Assured home and would love to do it with my dad who is now in his 70s, I know he would get just as much of a kick out being there to witness history being made as me. If the traffic light settings prevents us from being there, I think I’ll go to Dads and watch it it with him in his lounge.
Jason Martin
Rotorua
What is your favourite thing about SENZ?
Sport radio back on the airwaves!!! But Staffy as well! What a pearla.
How long have you been into harness racing?
Since I worked at Alexandra Park a few years ago!
What would you do with your share of the winnings if our horse salutes in The Race?
Overindulge, maybe take the wife out for a well-deserved dinner.
Where will you be watching The Race?
Hoping to be there, just depends on a couple things!
Alicia Harrison
Morrinsville
What is your favourite thing about SENZ?
They do a good job of getting some inside info on sports & racing!
How long have you been into harness racing?
Born & bred into Harness Racing. Am a junior driver myself, but think this is an awesome concept to get more people to the races & highlight the quality of racehorses in Australasia.
What would you do with your share of the winnings if our horse salutes in The Race?
I want to buy a new car so probably just go towards that!
Where will you be watching The Race?
I will be at Cambridge Raceway! Will be a great day & I’d say my employer Arna Donnelly will have some horses racing.
Tune into SENZ and check our socials for more info as we get closer to April 14.