Harness 5000 - "It's our Cup day!"
Harness Racing New Zealand • September 1st, 2025 3:21 PM • 4 min read
For the Chapman Brothers, the Harness 5000 meeting at Ashburton is a huge target.
"It's our Cup Day".
With 12 $60,000 Finals, Harness 5000 is open to the stock of stallions whose stud fee is $5,000 or less in the year of conception. To be eligible, horses must have a minimum of five race day starts between 3 July and 9 December 2025.
"We are the Kiwi battlers, and Harness 5000 has changed our thinking," says Greg Chapman. "For the next five years there's a mini Cup Carnival in December, like Cup Day at Addington in November, but for horses that are not the progeny of Bettor's Delight, and the like."
"You do not need to have paid a $25,000 service fee to race a horse in this Harness 5000."
"Plus, with a meeting like this to look forward to, and the stakes on offer, we have changed our thinking about possibly selling our horses to Australia; whereas before we might have, if the price was right."
From Waitarere Beach near Levin, Greg Chapman co-bred I'm Rockin, a Johny Rock four-year-old, and races him with his brother Tony (aka Chappo), who was the key figure in piquing both their interest in the sport.
The gelding has won four races for top trainer Regan Todd.
He has had three starts so far in the Harness 5000 qualifying period and needs two more before he becomes eligible. We believe that is only a formality, says Greg, who is confident I'm Rockin will take his place in the 4YO Geldings and Entires Pace.
"The way he's going, he will be one of the favourites," says Greg, "we have waited a long time for a reasonable horse."
The Chapmans first dipped their toes into horse ownership in the 1980s, with a horse called Chappo. It was not a success, but they returned in the 2000s and had better fortune with All The Way, who had seven wins in this country and five more across the Tasman.
In 2014, Greg bought a share in Johny Rock, a former champion in North America who later stood at stud in Canterbury at Graham Court's Pinelea farm.
As part of the deal, Greg got a free service each year.
He talked to Doug Gale who possesses a “horse bible” which traces the bloodlines back to Hambletonian, and asked what broodmare he should lease, to use the Johny Rock service.
"Doug advised an Artsplace broodmare would be the best match."
The Chapmans put out some feelers via Facebook and were contacted by Kelly Williams who advised that I'm Joe King was available. I’m Joe King is an unraced Art Major mare based at Kevin and Bonnie Williams' (of Master Mood fame) Tall Tree Stud. With Art Major being Artsplace's richest performer, the mare was ideal for their needs.
I'm Rockin was I’m Joe King’s second foal. The Chapmans then leased I'm Joe King for a further year and gained a full sister called I'm Elegant.
The Chapmans hope that I'm Elegant will debut next year as a three-year-old before she eventually becomes a broodmare. She is the last of her bloodline in New Zealand.
"And that ties into Harness 5000 as well. She may or may not race there in the future, as could her progeny," says Greg.
"With the Harness 5000 it gives a Carnival Day target to aim for - every year for the next five years at least."
"We are looking forward to heading south for the inaugural Carnival Day at Ashburton on 21 December. We are all booked!”
