Butcher Looking for First Harness Million as Trainer
17 March 2026
An exciting field of 13 fillies has been assembled for the 2026 edition of NZB Standardbred’s Harness Million 3YO at Alexandra Park on Friday, including Group One winner Shezsofast (NZ) (Vincent) and Harness Million 2YO winner Wat Next (NZ) (Art Major) who will be out to defend her title.
No stranger to a Harness Million victory as a driver, Zachery Butcher now has the opportunity to take out the $150,000 feature for fillies as the trainer of rising star Time for Change (NZ) (Lazurus).
Following her fresh up run, Time for Change finished third in last week’s Group Two Caduceus Club 3YO Fillies Ladyship Stakes (2200m), and Butcher believes the filly will only improve further heading into Friday’s feature.
‘She pulled up really well. Her preparation into the Caduceus wasn’t the smoothest and was a little delayed, so I was thrilled with her effort.”
“She needed to be able to able to compete in that field, and she proved she was good enough to be in the placings fresh up behind the creditable winner and the favourite.”
Time for Change was a $4,000 weanling purchase from Alabar Farm’s 2023 draft at Karaka by Mason Business Trust, and Zachary Butcher is enjoying the training challenge heading into the race with his $3.40 favoured runner.
“You can’t help but feel a little nervous, so I’m just taking it step by step.”
“You’re up against the best trainers in fields like this, and you’ve just got to enjoy the ride when you’ve got nice horses to compete against them with.
“You can’t ignore the lineup of quality fillies in the race, there’s a lot up for grabs and I’m just hoping it all works out.”
The $150,000 Harness Million Listed 3YO Fillies Pace (2200m) is scheduled for a start time of 6:36 pm on Friday at Alexandra Park.
2026 Harness Million 3YO Fillies Field:
| Draw | Horse | Vendor | Purchaser | Breeder | Sale | Owner |
| 1 | War Cry (NZ) (Lazurus - Thirsty Thursday) | Alabar (NZ) | Montana Park P/L | Alabar (NZ) Ltd | 2023 National Weanling Sale, Karaka ($21,000) | Montana Park Pty Ltd |
| 2 | Opa's Girl (NZ) (Downbytheseaside-Mockingjay) | Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd | Arna Donnelly Harness Racing Stables Ltd | Dr A R Grierson | 2024 National Yearling Sale, Karaka ($14,000) | M Van Der Hoeven |
| 3 | Time For Change (NZ) (Lazurus- Super Change) | Alabar (NZ) | Mason Business Trust | Alabar | 2023 National Weanling Sale, Karaka ($4,000) | Mrs L A Philpott |
| 4 | Fly High (NZ) (Bettor's Wish - Flyover) | G. M. Murray | Barry Purdon Racing Stables Ltd | Midhurst Holdings Limited, M P McDermott | 2024 National Standardbred Yearling Sale, Christchurch ($32,000) | Mrs K J Purdon, Mrs M McKay, D J Tonks, B K Parker |
| 5 | River (NZ) (Bettor's Delight -Lady Gilpin ) | Dancingonmoonlight Ltd | Mrs JL Feiss | Dancingonmoonlight Limited | 2024 National Standardbred Yearling Sale, Christchurch ($80,000) | T R Anderson, Mrs F N Anderson, Mrs S M Lagan, R J Butt, B Tapper, Miss J Anderson, Miss B Anderson, B Anderson, M Aitken, J Anderson, P Aitken |
| 6 | Wat Next (NZ) (Art Major- Wat a Women) | Studholme Bloodstock Ltd | Mark and Nathan Purdon Racing | Studholme Bloodstock Limited | 2024 National Yearling Sale, Christchurch ($50,000) | S J Byrne, S R Thompson, B R Irvine, J C T Cutler, M N Frost, M W Frost, M J W Skilling, M T Pratt |
| 7 | Queen Lizzy (NZ) (Captaintreacherous - Princess Tiffany) | Breckon Farms | Mark Jones | B J Whitelock, Mrs C J Whitelock | 2024 National Yearling Sale, Christchurch ($270,000) | Starmark Limited |
| 8 | Smackdown (NZ) (Downbytheseaside - Lady Smack) | Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd / Hollis & Robertson Equine Services | Jordash Breeding Trust | Charles Joseph Limited | 2023 National Weanling Sale, Karaka ($45,000) / 2024 National Yearling Sale, Karaka ($70,000) | H R Kaplan, Mrs S F Kaplan, R J Dawe, M G Wrigley, Off N Racing Smackdown Syndicate, S J Reid |
| 9 | Shezsofast (NZ) (Vincent - River Polka) | P. B. Fleming | Mark and Nathan Purdon Racing | P B Fleming | 2024 National Yearling Sale, Karaka ($35,000) | J A Gibbs MNZM, Mrs A Gibbs, J R Fairweather, S J Dobson |
| 10 | Larissa Lily (NZ) (Lather Up- Larissa Desire) | Ms D Harrison | Stonewall Stud Ltd | Miss D L Harrison, J P Mathers | 2024 National Yearling Sale, Christchurch ($23,000) | Stonewall Stud Ltd, Stonewall Stud No.22 Syndicate, We Three Syndicate, Always 'B' Syndicate |
| 11 | Little Lily (NZ) (Lazarus- Western Willow) | Alabar (NZ) Ltd | Mr T R Vince | Alabar (NZ) Ltd | 2023 National Weanling Sale, Karaka ($15,000) | Miss J S Browne |
| 12 | Bettor Belle (NZ) (Bettor's Delight- Ideal Belle) | Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd | Kentuckiana Lodge Ltd | Charles Joseph Limited | 2024 National Yearling Sale, Karaka ($95,000) | Charles Joseph Limited, G P Merlo, Chanelle Dickie, S M Higgs, Mrs A Schollum, Ms J M Banks, R T Murdoch, S G Pulley, Bee Buzz Apiaries Limited |
| 13 | Black Beauty (NZ) (Bettor's Delight- Classy Beach) | Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd | Ms J Hafoka | Mrs A Luxton | 2024 National Yearling Sale, Karaka ($40,000) | Miss J Hafoka, Ms B L Solomon |